"FEBRUARY IS FARM MONTH!" 2013

FEBRUARY IS FARM MONTH IS BACK!!!

Join us for our fourth annual celebration of food and farming in Hamilton.

This year we are presenting a variety of events and all of them are completely free to join, no RSVPs needed!

Feb 2

FEBRUARY IS FARM MONTH LAUNCH EVENT

@the Hamilton Farmers’ Market Community Space 2-4pm

Drop in to connect with Hamilton's local food scene!  Featuring:

• "The Buzz About Bees" presentation & honey tasting
• Launch event for Hamilton's newest independent magazine "GUSTO!" with Editor Amy Bonin
• A book signing with Karen McLaughlin, author of the budget friendly cookbook
• "CHEAP APPETIT: The Complete Guide to Feeding Your Family for Less Than $400 a Month"
• The CLIMATE CHANGE CHARTER display
• Information on Hamilton's Community Food Security Stakeholder Committee (CFSSC) and the HAMILTON FOOD CHARTER
• Launch of the online version of the "OPERATION SMOOTHIE" handbook
• Speak with Kelly McKinney of Hamilton's super-awesome and educational "SPROUT CAMP"

Feb 15

FOURTH ANNUAL FARMERS’ FORUM (farmers only, please!)

@The Winking Judge, 7pm

Feb 27

FOOD ‘N’ FARMING PANEL DISCUSSION 

“Can Hamilton Feed Itself?” -- WHY FARMLAND PRESERVATION MATTERS

@ the Hamiltton Public Library  7-10 pm

Come join us to learn and share information on one of the most critical topics facing food security in Canada.  Featuring our panel of experts:

Erin Shapero - from Environmental Defence and Local Food Plus, Erin made a name for herself as the Markham City Councillor who put local food on the radar and led the way towards their ground-breaking municipal local food procurement policies!  What role does the Greenbelt play?

Lisa Ohberg - her influential academic research paper "Can Hamilton Feed Itself?" answers this question in ways that may surprise you!  At a time when 60% of our province's food is important, we need to look at the potential consequences of turning our agricultural lands into residential and economic development zones.  Check out her presentation to the food security committee here: http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/C4E2C50B-E943-4A10-89EC-62B02E5B7D6C/0/OhbergSelfSufficiencyPresentationCFSSCNov72012.pdf

Ella Haley - the outspoken farmer who has made land use and ownership a political hot potato in Brant County shares her perspectives on farmland preservation through the lens of the "land-grab" happening all around her farm, Hearts Content Farmstead.  Should we have concerns about foreign ownership of agricultural lands?

David Carson - of Dundas in Transition and now co-chair of the Community Food Security Stakeholder Committee (CFSSC) talks about sustainability, farmland preservation and what we need to know about the AEGD proposed by the City of Hamilton (also known as The Aerotropolis).  Carson is also one of the citizens most actively engaged in the creation of Hamilton's first FOOD CHARTER.

Wondering what it's all about?  Come to this gathering to find out!  There will be displays set up by community groups, such as The Mustard Seed Cooperative Grocery... get your membership!

                   

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NEW:

All month long on Saturdays at the Hamilton Farmers’ Market Community Kitchen

their FREE Cooking Demonstrations will be part of “FEBRUARY IS FARM MONTH!”

Enjoy the food fun, facts and flavours... there will be samples!  Details TBA right here on the Hamilton Eat Local Blog!