Forum on Dynamic Approaches to Non-Timber Forest Resources

NTFR Forum at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre, 101 Gordon St., Nanaimo

November 6, 2009 at 9:00AM to 5:00PM

In partnership with the Forest Communities Conference, the Centre for Non-Timber Resources at Royal Roads University in Victoria is hosting a one-day Forum on Non-Timber Forest Resources.

Workshop themes will explore:
› The values of working together;
› Collaborative community based research;
› Models for NTFR-based community development; and
› Policy and resource management.

2009/2010 Edition of Buy BCwild Directory Available

The Centre for Non-Timber Resources (CNTR) has released the 5th annual publication of the Buy BCwild Directory. The new edition is the biggest and most beautiful yet, showcasing over 200 BC businesses that provide wild foods, native plants, natural body care products, First Nations art, specialty woods and crafts, education and ecotourism opportunities.

Hard copies are free of charge; please contact CNTR at bcwild@royalroads.ca.

Second Editon of the NTFP Newsletter Available

The Canadian Non-timber Forest Products Network has released the 2nd edition of the national NTFP newsletter.

This edition includes articles on lobster mushrooms and forest farming blue berries in Quebec.

Download the newsletter from: www.ntfpnetwork.ca

US Hog Producers Adopting Shelterbelts to Mitigate Odour

Shelterbelts have been shown to mitigate livestock odour. A recent survey conducted on a producer group in Iowa indicates 21% currently have planted trees specifically for odour management and 75% of those surveyed indicated they would pay up to $0.18/animal produced to implement tree planting for odour control.

Reminder: Opportunity to Comment on Province's Silviculture Vision

As the Provincial Government is rethinking silviculture in BC, it provides an opportunity to broaden the discussion of what constitutes “forest” management to more fully include agroforestry and non-timber resources. The Ministry of Forests and Range has released a discussion paper outlining a new framework to guide silviculture and achieve Minister Pat Bell’s goal to “make BC a world leader in growing trees.”

The Province is accepting comments on the discussion paper until Sept. 30, 2009.

Canadian Company Seeking Fruit Woods Source

Barbecues Galore with stores in Calgary and Ontario wants to source fruit woods (prunings) from BC orchards (preferably from organic certified producers) for processing and sale as smoking wood. This type of product is available from the US but generally cost prohibitive to bring into Canada.

They are looking for Apple and Cherry wood, but may be interested in Pear, Orange, Apricot.

To keep transportation down they would be interested in 50 cubic meters of wood every year or two.

If you have these materials for sale please contact:

Shawn White
Sales Associate
5875 9th Street SE
Calgary, AB T2H 1Z9
403-258-4440
shawnw@barbecuesgalore.ca

Black Walnut Financial Model

The University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry has developed a financial model tool for black walnut producers, available here.

The black walnut financial model is a simplified decision model. It is designed to assist potential growers make decision about tree spacing, nut harvest, and whether to use improved (grafted) or unimproved trees.

European Agroforestry Society

Three European Countries with formal Agroforestry Networks (France, United Kingdom and Greece) have joined force to create a new EU Agroforestry Society (EUAS). The EUAS will provide news on agroforestry, farm forestry and farm woodland activity in temperate regions, and particularly in EU member states.

For more information visit the EUAS website.

World Congress of Agroforestry Countdown is On

With less than 50 days to the 2nd World Congress of Agroforestry- the first ever in Africa- organizers are urging participants to register and make payments now to avoid missing this significant event.

The Congress, themed Agroforestry, the future of global land use is a highlight event for 2009 and expected to attract around 1,000 researchers, educators, practitioners and policy makers from all corners of the globe to Nairobi, Kenya in August this year.

Conference organizers are keen to finalize numbers so that all necessary arrangements can be made. The regular registration ($450) will continue until 31 July 2009, after which late registration fees will apply ($495).

Congress Program is available online and includes a terrific line-up, with keynote speakers including two Nobel laureates: Wangari Maathai, Kenyan environmental and political activist; and Rajendra K. Pachauri who has served as the chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change since 2002.

Also speaking is well known author, conservationist, and activist, Richard Leakey, Executive Director of UNEP, Achim Steiner and, M. S. Swaminathan, otherwise known as the "Father of India’s Green Revolution".

Emirates and Kenya Airways are both offering special discounts on airfares to Nairobi for the Congress. To take advantage of this offer, delegates need to present to the airline office in their country: a letter of invitation to the Congress (available from the Congress organizers); and the letter from Kenya Airways or Emirates explaining the offer (available from the Congress website).

An interesting array of field trips is being offered for the conclusion of the Congress, with destinations nearby Nairobi as well as to other parts of Kenya and East Africa. These will enable delegates to see agroforestry-related initiatives in the region and also provide an opportunity to explore more of this remarkable and beautiful country.

British Producers Turning to Agroforestry to Adapt to Climate Change

"Blossoming in the intellectually fertile surroundings of nearby Dartington College is a remarkable "forest garden" that Martin Crawford believes demonstrates a radical new direction for British agriculture.

He grows more than 500 different plants, but in place of traditional fields there are dappled glades and tall trees, where vertical crops are as important as those growing horizontally.

'We research into more sustainable growing systems that involve or depend on trees and shrubs," he says. "By focusing on perennial crops rather than annual crops, you immediately reduce the inputs, like energy in all its forms, whether it's human or machine.'"

Consumers Think Natural is Greener Than Organic

"American consumers believe that a ‘natural’ label claim is a better indicator of an eco-friendly product than ‘organic’, according to a new survey from advertising firm the Shelton Group.

Consumers are increasingly seeking out ‘greener’ products, and environmental sustainability has moved up among manufacturers’ priorities in recent years, as public awareness of the impact of their food on the environment has increased. But consumers have become more skeptical of manufacturers’ green credentials, accusing them of ‘greenwashing’, and are lacking the knowledge necessary to make the most meaningful choices at the grocery store."

Donations Request for the Food For Families Food Bank

On behalf of the Food For Families Food Bank I am writing you today to ask that you consider letting your members know about the opportunity to donate to the Food For Families Food Bank, a small food bank in East Vancouver. We would greatly appreciate it if you would consider forwarding this letter to your members, who might then contact their own members. In this way producers will learn that if they have extra product they can easily get it into the hands of those who need it most - and get a tax receipt in return!

Here is more information on Food For Families:

CityReach Care Society is a non-profit agency that has operated in East Vancouver for over five years. The Food for Families program started in March 2008 and provides lower income parents and children a weekly nutritious food bank, a community kitchen and an education program. The majority of our participants are single parents, but our program also includes families that are living at or below the poverty line. We now serve more than 110 families. Our Food Bank is open on Thursday mornings.

Food Banks began 28 years ago as a short-term solution to hunger. They are now a necessary supplement to Canada's frayed safety net. In these difficult times, let us recall the words of Gandhi: "A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members."

To arrange pick up please contact Brenda Diffley at 604.254.2489 or brendad@cityreach.org.

Thanks so much for considering our request!

Sincerely,
Jessie Smith
Food Resource Assistant, Food for Families
CityReach Care Society

FOOD FOR FAMILIES FOOD BANK

A Project of CityReach Care Society
(aka "The Warehouse")
604.254.2489

The Need

o Each month more than 704,000 hungry Canadians receive food from a food bank: more than 50% are families with children.

o Many working Canadians simply do not earn enough to feed a growing family. Even middle-class Canadians feel the pinch when the grocery bill is totaled; imagine how those making $8 an hour must feelŠ.

Why support the Food for Families Food Bank

The Food for Families Food Bank is unique because:

o We offer food only to families with children
o We provide nutritious food (no junk food and as much fresh food as we can)
o Participants are given healthy recipes related to the food given and access to a nutritionist
o The Food For Families Food Bank is offered in conjunction with complimentary programs such as our community kitchen


Benefits to Supporting the Food For Families Food Bank

All donors to the Food for Family Food Bank have the option of receiving:

o A tax receipt at the end of the year
o A certificate to honour your generosity
o Your business name listed in our newsletter
o A chance to rid yourself of any products you can no longer use or that are damaged or near their shelf life
o Plus the knowledge that you are feeding people in need and thus helping to hold together the fabric of our society

Current Major Donors to the Food For Families Food Bank

B.C Hothouse, Dan-D-Pak, Dr. Ed Lowe (dentist), Nature's Path, Pita Bread Factory, Soyaworld, and Uprising Breads (plus many other small/medium-level donors).

Summer Permaculture Workshops and Courses

Farmhouse Farm Summer Permaculture Workshops and Courses

Permaculture Water Conservation Strategies ­
July 18, 2009

This one-day workshop will focus on Permaculture concepts for water conservation in the home and garden. Participants will learn foundation concepts and strategies for reducing water consumption, and will have the chance to work on one or all three of a series of water conservation, filtration, and recycling systems that we¹ll be building.

July 18, 2009, 10.00 am to 4.30pm.

Pay-What-You-Feel, suggested donation $75 - $120.

Introduction to Permaculture

A two-day (12 hour) course that will present the ethics, principles, and strategies of Permaculture as a design methodology for creating self-sustaining human systems. Topics will include Permaculture ethics and principles, the importance of design, climate and landscape factors, site analysis, closed-loop system design, input/output analysis, functional analysis, forest gardening, and Permaculture in social and economic systems.

Two separate sessions will be offered, July 25th-26th, and August 22nd-23rd, 2009.

Pat-What-You-Feel, suggested donation $135 - $285.

Workshops are offered on a pay-what-you-feel basis and trades/barters are always welcome. Mutually supportive relationships create abundance for all.

Prairie Fruits an Option for Northern Growers

"Saskatchewan is o­ne of the coldest provinces in Canada. At times temperatures can plummet below -40 degrees Celsius (C), not a place where you would expect tasty cherries and honeysuckles to grow vigorously. Nonetheless, through the hard work of breeding programs and growers groups, the production of fruit is sprouting up across the province like never before."

Read the full article by Shannon Poppy in the June 2009 edition of Temperate Agroforester.

Blueberry Field Day 2009

Blueberry Field Day

July 15, 2009, 1 to 5 pm

North Willamette Research & Extension Center,
Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon

See trials, learn more about on-going projects, and taste some cultivars and advanced selections.

For more information please contact:
Dr. Bernadine C. Strik at 541-737-5434
strikb@hort.oregonstate.edu

11th Annual Salt Spring Island Apple Festival

October 4th, 2009
Salt Spring Island

This is your chance to visit "Apple Heaven" while still on earth! Become a Salt Spring Island Apple Connoisseur for a day.

Where else do you have over 350 different apple varieties being grown organically? Salt Spring's apple history dates back to 1860. Explore our incredible island, the Organic Gardening Capital of Canada.

Those interested in becoming involved in this festival can contact Harry Burton at 653-2007 or by email: burtonh@saltspring.com

Genomics Research to Address Climate Change in BC Forests

The forests of British Columbia are facing unprecedented rates of climate change, and their responses will have major economic and environmental consequences for the province. These forests play a major role in the BC economy, and also directly affect atmospheric carbon dioxide levels as healthy sinks or unhealthy sources. The ability of trees to be resilient to climate change will depend in part on their genetic makeup and genomic architecture for traits related to adaptation to climate.

Researchers in this project will test markers for utility in management of genetic resources in anticipation of climate change in spruce species prevalent in BC. This will allow us to assess whether artificial selection can provide natural and breeding populations adapted to new climates, in particular whether trees with novel SNPs from more extreme environments can be effectively grown in BC. This project will test whether genomic knowledge can help guide assisted migration or artificial selection to facilitate planted forests becoming more resilient to new climates.

Field Bindweed Survey

The Certified Organic Associations of BC (COABC) are conducting a survey to determine the nature and extent of field bindweed infestations in BC and would appreciate hearing from as many BC producers (organic or not) as possible across the province.

PDF and MS Word versions of the survey can be downloaded from the Organic Extension Agent webpage: survey is now closed

Deadline for submission for completed surveys is Aug 31, 2009.