Fostering Dialogue Around Food Security: Provincial Teleconference Series
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011
Sustainable Fisheries
Kristen Lowitt, PhD Candidate at Memorial University, gave an overview of fisheries' contribution to food security both in Newfoundland and Labrador and globally.
David Adler, Coordinator of Off the Hook Community Supported Fishery, spoke about the seafood marketing innovation, Atlantic Canada's first Community Supported Fishery. It is in its second season of providing consumers in Halifax with sustainably harvested seafood caught by a co-operative of small-scale, groundfish bottom hook and line fishermen from the Bay of Fundy. Subscribers pay at the beginning of the summer season for weekly shares of the co-op’s catch of fresh whole haddock and hake.
Materials from the teleconference:
Tuesday, June 21st, 2011
Composting: From Organic Waste to Wealth
Anne Madden, Education Coordinator at MUN Botanical Garden, presented on everything you need to know about composting:
- How composting works
- Benefits of composting
- How to build a compost pile
- The ingredients of a successful compost
- What are the types of compost bins
- Vermicomposting (worm bins)
- How to use compost
- Helpful Tips!
Materials from the teleconference:
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011
Farm Direct Marketing: Making the Family Farm Sustainable
Lorenda Ebbett owns and operates Meadow Brook Farm, near Tatamagouche, NS. Meadow Brook is a mixed livestock farm with a focus on directly marketing the products they raise.
Lorenda gave an overview of the pros and cons of direct marketing methods, examples from her own farm experience, and tips and considerations for those considering marketing their farm products directly.
Materials from the teleconference:
Tuesday, March 29th, 2011
Community Garden Season Extension
With our short growing season and cool climate, many gardeners find themselves stuck on what to grow and how to get more from their gardens. This teleconference was an opportunity for community garden organizers and participants to learn from an experienced Newfoundland gardener and horticultural consultant.
Keynote Speaker: Ross Traverse, author of “Ask Ross Traverse About Gardening: Practical Advice for Gardeners in a Cool Climate“ and owner and operator of Traverse Gardens in Torbay, NL.
Ross gave a great presentation on the following topics, followed by a question and answer session:
- Greenhouses
- Cold frames and hot beds
- Soil heating
- Plastic mulch and row covers
- Artificial light for growing inside
- Raised beds with plastic covering
- Growing transplants
- Crops to extend the season
Materials from the teleconference:
Thursday, January 20th, 2011
Farmers' Markets: Making Connections
In recent years Newfoundland & Labrador has experienced an incredible growth in Farmers' Markets across the province. This past season saw 10 full- and part-time Farmers’ Markets operate in communities spanning St. John’s to Fogo to Stephenville.
Keynote Speakers:
This teleconference was a chance for existing markets and those thinking of starting up new markets to share best practices. We discussed:
- How to run and sustain a market in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Vendor recruitment techniques – including farmers, craftspeople, and artisans
- Table fee structures and other operational topics
Materials from the teleconference:
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
Land Trusts: A Citizen's Tool for Conservation
Land Trusts are a vital tool for the protection of conservation areas, but one which has historically been underused in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Keynote Speakers:
- Lawyer and FSN Board Member Aaron Felt gave an overview of Land Trusts.
- Douglas Ballam, NL Director of the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) gave a brief overview of the NCC's Land Trusts and Land Trust management.
Materials from the teleconference:
Friday, March 19th, 2010
March is Nutrition Month: Celebrate Food from Field to Table
Keynote Speakers:
- Registered Dietitian Margie Coombes gave a presentation about the Dietitians of Canada National Nutrition Month 2010 Campaign.
- Local farmer and Statistics Professor Matthew Atkinson presented on Why Supporting a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is a Healthy Choice.
Materials from the teleconference:
Friday, March 5th, 2010
Food Security Working Groups: Developing Sustainable Food Systems
Keynote Speaker: Dr Rebecca Schiff, Assistant Professor in Social Justice at the University of Regina, gave a brief history of food security working groups.
There are currently Food Security Working Groups in: Burin, Corner Brook, Gros Morne Area, Labrador City, and Goose Bay
Materials from the teleconference:
- Download the presentation on FSN & Food Security Working Groups.
- Listen to a recording of the presentations.
- View the Summary Notes from the discussion.
- Links to Food Charters across Canada:
Thursday, February 5th, 2010
Community Gardening: Building Communities & Growing Together
Keynote Speaker: Dr Angela Loucks-Atkinson from the Community Garden Alliance provided an overview of the Basics of Starting Up a Successful Community Garden.
There are Community Gardens in St. John's, Glenburnie-BirchyHead-Shoal Brook, St. Anthony, Norris Point, Burin, Stephenville, Fogo. and more!
Materials from the teleconference:
Friday, November 27th, 2009
Farmers' Markets
Keynote Speaker: Don Black, Coordinator, Farmers' Markets of Nova Scotia Cooperative
Download an audio recording of the presentation and following Q&A session. The recording has been edited to include only the voices of Kristie Jameson and Don Black.
Tuesday, October 20th
Food Security Panel: Perspectives of Food Security
Keynote Speakers:
- Eugene Legge, President of the Newfoundland & Labrador Federation of Agriculture (NLFA), spoke about Food Availability.
- Annette Stapenhorst spoke about Food Access and Peoples' Right to Food.
- Stephanie Buckle, Regional Nutritionist with Western Health, spoke about Food Use and Community Kitchens.
Materials from the teleconference:
Monday, July 27th, 2009
Buying Local: Supporting Our Local Producers
Keynote Speaker: Stephen Moss & the "Keep it in Kittiwake!" Campaign, Kittiwake Economic Development Corporation
It has been estimated that only 10% of fresh vegetables available in major retailers across Newfoundland & Labrador are produced locally.
The phrase "Buy-Local" is used across the country to promote local food, support local producers, and build a sustainable food system.
Our first Teleconference was a great success thank you to all participants and to our Keynote Speaker Stephen Moss!
Materials from the teleconference:
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