Learn how to find and identify a dozen "easy to identify" edible mushrooms and distinguish them from look-a-likes in this 3 hour workshop with biologist Jessica Wolf.  After a fungal Show-and-Tell, stroll around Wildwood Ecoforest to look for specimens in their habitat. We will not be collecting mushrooms to take home, but rather you will learn how to forage with confidence for your own wild edibles.

The workshop is offered on November 14,15,16 and 17 at Wildwood Ecoforest, 20 minutes south of Nanaimo BC. One workshop will also be offered on November 22 on Gabriola Island, with spaces reserved for members of Gabriola Land and Trails Trust until November 1.

Advance registration is advised as spaces fill up quickly. For more information and to register visit www.jessicawolf.ca.

VIU Geography Department & the Planning Institute of BC

When:  Friday, November 21st, from 3:00 to 10:00 pm

Where:  Rm 109, Bldg 356, Vancouver Island University

Film Schedule:

3:00 pm  "Garbage Warrior", followed by discussion at 4:30 pm

5:00 pm  "Mad City Chickens", followed by discussion at 6:20 pm

6:45 pm Socializing break (pizza)

7:30 pm  "Bed Zed" (London) & "Freiburg", followed by discussion at 7:45 pm

8:00 pm  Panel discussion on how to implement some of the ideas presented, with representatives from City of Nanaimo, VIU, and community-based sustainability groups

FREE attendance, but please register by sending email to:  deborah.jensen@nanaimo.ca

Note:  Pay parking on campus at all times

Learn how to use value chains to increase profits.

This November, the Western Canada Value Chain Initiative is offering a two-day workshop series on how successful value chain alliances can increase profitability and efficiency for participating businesses.

Grow Nanaimo!  Creating a local food strategy together

Where:  Christ Community Church on Bowen Road (near Northfield Road)

Time:  8:30 am to 4:00 pm

What:  Presentation and panel discussion on "municipal and community engagement" - participation from the City, RDN, and Snuneymuxw Nation

Guest Speaker:  Richard Balfour (Vancouver) from the New City Institute, to talk about food sustainability and planning issues

community art project (envisioning future of local food), local food vendor Mermaid's Mug, educational displays, book sales, childcare available

Afternoon community planning workshops on topics including:  urban agriculture - growing more food locally, institutional purchasing & local farmers, school food & garden programs, addressing first nations food sovereignty issues, and emergency food preparedness

Admission:  FREE

Register:  send email to:  info@foodlinknanaimo.com and include your name, contact information, and any special accommodations required such as assistance or childcare

Alberta's first provincial Food Security conference:
Growing Food Security in Alberta (GFSA) works in partnership with organizations, businesses and individuals including: Alberta Farmers Market Association, City of Edmonton, Original Fare, CBC and many others, to connect families, children and communities with access to healthy food.

This conference will bring together the diverse voices in the food security debate: farmers, producers, processors, eaters, restaurant owners, retailers, policy makers, educators, social agencies, land developers and people who are hungry from across the province.

Conference Highlights:
Taste of Alberta and Film Screening
Keynote speakers -->
* Thomas Pawlick - Author "The End of Food"
* Elbert vanDonkersgoed - Director for Greater Toronto Area Agricultural Action Committee
* Carol Off - Author "Bitter Chocolate"
* Herb Barbolet - Founder of Farm Folk/City Folk and Associate with the Centre for Sustainable Community Development, Simon Fraser University.
* Interactive Trade Show

Registration opens November 15, 2009. 

Please pass this on to others who might be interested.