Vancouver Food Network

This weekend gives two opportunities to screen three food films, free of charge.

The film festival is sponsored by The Clark County Food System Council. Contact for more information: WSU Extension, Sandra Brown at (360) 397-6060, browns@wsu.edu or Elspeth Durek at (360) 397-8000 ext. 7291.

Friday, July 17, at WSU Vancouver Lecture Hall 110 (Free)

• 6:00 p.m. “Ingredients” (preview)
• 6:45 p.m. “Good Food”

Saturday, July 18, Public Service Center, 6th Floor, 1300 Franklin, Vancouver (Free)

• 2:00 p.m. “Growing Awareness”
• 3:45 p.m. “Good Food”
• 5:00 p.m. “Ingredients” (preview)

About the Films

"Growing Awareness" is a Pacific Northwest film documentary which examines Community Supported Agriculture.
"Farmers share their views on the present reality of small-scale farming and its impact on farmers, consumers and the local community." (By J. Ajani)

"Good Food"
"Pacific Northwest farmers discuss how they are growing food more sustainably and how consumers and business are helping to build and sustain a healthy local food system." (By M. Young and M. Dworkin)

"Ingredients" (preview)
"Sneak preview of a new film about how restaurants and chefs are working to put good food on the table and supporting local farmers." (By B. Kimmel)

For more information

• Good Food Movie Site
• Growing Awareness Review
• www.vancouver.wsu.edu
• clarkfoodfarm.blogspot.com

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All Month Long

Farmer's Markets

Spring equinox marks the beginning of Clark County farmers' market season.

• Saturdays 9am-3pm, beginning March 21. Vancouver Farmers Market, west of Esther Short Park, 7th & Esther St downtown, Vancouver WA 98660. FFI VancouverFarmersMarket.com
• Sundays 10am – 3pm, beginning March 22. Vancouver Farmers Market, west of Esther Short Park, 7th & Esther St downtown, Vancouver WA 98660. FFI VancouverFarmersMarket.com

In the Garden

March is the time to prune roses, plant berries, perennial vegetables, start seeds indoors for tomatoes, peppers, etc.,

Food in the News

• "Farming Gaining Ground in County" by Tom Koenninger. The Columbian. Wednesday, March 4, 2009. p. C4.
• "Homing in on Simpler Solutions: Preserve Promotes the Practice of 'House Holding' as a Path to Self-Sufficiency and an Escape from Mere Consumption and into Production" by Inara Verzemnieks. The Oregonian. Sunday, March 8, 2009. p. 01.

Food Events in Clark County

For a more expansive calendar, please see http://VancouverFood.net/calendar

Thu, Mar 5

"Seed Starting Class" w Urban Farm School, 6:30-8:30 pm, Thu 5 Mar 2009. $15. FFI or to register: (360) 907-5814 or urbanfarmschool@gmail.com

Sat, March 7

Harvest & Post Harvest/Season Extension 1 with David Knaus of Fresh Earth Gardens, LLC 10:00am-2pm, Saturday 7 Mar 2009 at WSU Clark County 78th St Farm, Vancouver WA 98665
FFI, please visit http://clark.wsu.edu or http://freshearthgardens.com/classes

Sat, March 14

Marketing and Season Extension 2 with David Knaus of Fresh Earth Gardens, LLC 10:00am-2pm, Saturday 21 Mar 2009 at WSU Clark County 78th St Farm, Vancouver WA 98665
Guest Speaker: Anne Lawrence, Storytree Farm
FFI, please visit http://clark.wsu.edu or http://freshearthgardens.com/classes

Sun, March 15

"Bees, the Other Way" 10am-4pm, Sun Mar 15 2009. $50 class. Learn to be a friend to bees. For beekeepers, novices and backyard fans. Friendly Haven Farm, 20309 NE 242nd Ave, Battle Ground WA 98604. FFI, please visit http://www.friendlyhaven.com/classes.htm

Wed, March 18

"Basic Brewing" 6-8pm, Wed, March 18. $20 basic brewing class. Bader Beer & Wine Supply, 711 Grand Blvd, Vancouver WA 98661, (360) 750-1551

Thu, March 12

Clark County Beekeepers @ CASEE Center 7-8:30pm Thursday 12 Mar 2009 @ CASEE Center, 11104 NE 149th St,, Brush Prairie WA 98606. FFI http://www.wasba.org/local.htm

Thu, March 19

"Keeping Urban Chickens" 6:30-8:20pm, Thu., March 19. $15 class. "Keeping Urban Chickens" w Urban Farm School. FFI and register: (360) 907-5814 or urbanfarmschool@gmail.com

Sat March 21

Business and Operations Management with David Knaus of Fresh Earth Gardens, LLC 10:00am-2pm, Saturday 21 Mar 2009 at WSU Clark County 78th St Farm, Vancouver WA 98665. FFI, please visit http://clark.wsu.edu or http://freshearthgardens.com/classes

Polycrop Orchard "Food Forest" Work Party with Deston Denniston of Abundance Permaculture Consulting. 10am-3pm Saturday, 21 Mar 2009 @ The Old Poor Farm, 1919 NE 78th Street, Vancouver WA 98665. Come help establish long-term plantings as part of the 78th Street farm project. Wear work clothes. FFI abundancepc@gmail.com

* Amended to include upcoming events and news stories throughout the month.

Posted by Rory Bowman at 12:00 PM | Permalink

In the Garden

February is an excellent time to prune fruit trees, blueberries and grapes. Start brassicas indoors and till under cover crops as the soil becomes workable. Peas may be planted then as well and now is an excellent time to plan the rest of the garden, repair fencing, garden boxes or chicken structures.

Food Events in Clark County

For a more expansive calendar, please see http://VancouverFood.net/calendar

Wed 4feb09

Vancouver Food Cooperative Board Meeting. 6-7pm, Wednesday 4 Feb 2009 @ Fireside Room, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 426 E 4th Plain Blvd, Vancouver 98663. The Vancouver Food Cooperative holds a board meeting, part of which is open to the public, on the first Wednesday of each month. This month's meeting will presumably include plans for VFC's second annual member's meeting. FFI please phone (360) 694-8094.

"Introduction to Sustainable Living on a Budget." with Monique Dupre. 7-9pm Wednesday 4 Feb 2009 @ Monique's home in west Vancouver. $35. Register at SustainableBudget.com

Sat 7feb09

Modern Organic Farming Propagation & Plant Varieties with David Knaus of Fresh Earth Gardens and Anne Berblinger of Gales Meadow Farm. 10a-2pm, Saturday 7 Feb 2009 @ WSU Clark County 78th St Farm, 1919 NE 78th Street, Vancouver 98665. Fourth of ten in a $450 series, "Modern Organic Farming on Small Acreage." FFI, please visit http://clark.wsu.edu or http://freshearthgardens.com/classes

"Share the Love with Chocolate." Sat, February 7, 6pm – 8pm @ Friendly Haven Farm, 20309 NE 242nd Ave, Battle Ground WA 98604. $40 class on how to make flourless chocolate cake and other treats. FFI http://www.friendlyhaven.com/classes.html

Wed 11feb09

Urban Livestock Task Force Meeting, 6-8pm Wed 11 February 2009 @ Sixth Floor of Clark County Public Services Center, 1300 Franklin, Vancouver WA 98660. FFI please visit http://www.clark.wa.gov/longrangeplan/projects/urban-livestock-review.html

"Kefir" class, Wed, February 11, 6:30pm – 8:30pm @ Friendly Haven Farm, 20309 NE 242nd Ave, Battle Ground WA 98604. $20 class on kefir, a low-cost, natural fruit soda. FFI http://www.friendlyhaven.com/classes.html

Sat 14feb09

Soil Fertility & Compost with David Knaus of Fresh Earth Gardens and Naomi Montacre of Concentrates, Inc. 10am-2pm, Sat, 14 February 2009 @ WSU Clark County 78th St Farm, 1919 NE 78th St, Vancouver WA 98665. FFI, please visit http://clark.wsu.edu or http://freshearthgardens.com/classes

Mon 16feb09

"Raised Bed Gardening" on Mon, February 16, 10:00am – 12:30pm @ Pleasant View Church, 801 N.E. 194th Street, Ridgefield WA 98642. VanRidge Garden Club has a presentation for Raised Bed Gardening, how to grow more vegetables in a smaller area, by Rory Bowman. Club business meeting at 10:00 a.m. with presentation to start approximately 11:00. Location: Pleasant View Church, 801 N.E. 194th Street, Ridgefield. You are welcome to participate in the pot luck lunch after the meeting. For more info, email glenna@macrory.com

Wed 18feb09

Basic Brewing, Wed, February 18, 6pm – 9pm @ Bader Beer & Wine Supply, 711 Grand Blvd, Vancouver WA 98661, (360) 750-1551. $20 class, held approximately one a month. FFI http://baderbrewing.com

Thu 19feb09

"Basic Composting & Bokashi Technique" w Urban Farm School. 6:30-8:30 pm, Thu 19 Feb 2009. FFI and Register: (360) 907-5814 or urbanfarmschool@gmail.com

"Vermicomposting" class Thu, February 19, 7pm – 9pm @ Ecolution NW, 1709 Broadway, Vancouver 98663. FFI: http://northwestredworms.com/seminars.aspx or phone Doug at (360) 513-7251.

Sat 21feb09

Irrigation and Individual Crop Care with David Knaus of Fresh Earth Gardens. 10am-2pm, Sat, 21 February 2009 @ WSU Clark County 78th St Farm, 1919 NE 78th St, Vancouver WA 98665. FFI, please visit http://clark.wsu.edu or http://freshearthgardens.com/classes

Tue 24feb09

Native Bees and Backyard Beekeeping w Urban Farm School, 6:30-8:30pm Tuesday 24 February 2009. Learn how to support native pollinators for a healthier garden. $15 FFI: (360) 907-5814.

Wed 25feb09

Urban Livestock Task Force Meeting, 6-8pm Wed 25 February 2009 @ Sixth Floor of Clark County Public Services Center, 1300 Franklin, Vancouver WA 98660. FFI please visit http://www.clark.wa.gov/longrangeplan/projects/urban-livestock-review.html

Sat 28feb09

Pests and Weeds w David Knaus of Fresh Earth Gardens. 10am-2pm, Sat, 28 February 2009 @ WSU Clark County 78th St Farm, 1919 NE 78th St, Vancouver WA 98665. FFI, please visit http://clark.wsu.edu or http://freshearthgardens.com/classes

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Food in the News

• "Co-Op Conundrum: Vancouver Food Cooperative's founders believe west Vancouver needs and can support a store, but feasibility study, economy complicate efforts" by Laura McVicker. The Columbian, January 21, 2009, p. D1. Discussion and perspectives on the progress, or lack of same, toward a Vancouver co-op over the past several years.
• "An Agricultural Mystery: Why Aren’t There More Farmers Like David Knaus? An Answer in Four Parts" by Michael Andersen. The Columbian. Sunday, January 25. Profile of David Knaus, local organic, small-farm expert on key issues facing small farmers in Clark County: land, water, knowledge and labor.

Food Events in Clark County

For a more expansive calendar, please see http://VancouverFood.net/calendar

Wed 7jan09

Vancouver Food Cooperative Meeting for Member Update and Brainstorming, Vancouver Food Cooperative. 6:30-8:30pm, Wednesday 7 Jan 2009 @ Hough Elementary School cafeteria, 1900 Daniels St, Vancouver 98660. Free to VFC owners. FFI, please phone (360) 694-8094.

Wed 14jan09

"Marketing and Promotion," 10-11:30am, Wednesday 14 Jan 2009 online. FFI and to register, please visit http://cdsfood.centraldesktop.com/fc500registration.

Sat 17jan09

Modern Organic Farming Site Selection, Scale and Scope with David Knaus, Fresh Earth Gardens LLC. 10a-2pm, Saturday 17 Jan 2009 @ WSU Clark County 78th St Farm, 1919 NE 78th Street, Vancouver 98665. First of ten in a $450 series, "Modern Organic Farming on Small Acreage." FFI, please visit http://clark.wsu.edu or http://freshearthgardens.com/classes.

Wed 21jan09

Vancouver Food Co-op's third annual "Meet the Farmers" event, organized by Sunrise O'Mahoney. 6-8pm, Wednesday 21 Jan 2009 @ WSU Vancouver, Firstenburg Student Commons, 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave, Vancouver WA 98686. Learn how to support community-supported agriculture (CSA) in Clark County and meet various local CSA farmers with open subscriptions for the coming season. FFI please email Sunrise@VancouverFood.coop

Thu 22jan09

"Planning the Vegetable Garden" with Urban Farm School, 6:30-8:30pm, Thursday, 22 Jan 2009 @ DiTazza Cafe, 2100 SE 164th Avenue Suite D109, Vancouver, 98683. FFI please visit http://urbanfarmschool.wordpress.com/upcoming-events/ or phone (360) 907-5814. $15.

Fri 23jan09

Cooking Class w Monique Dupre, 7-8:30pm @ Monique's in downtown Vancouver. Part of Ms. Dupre's well-received "Sustainable Living on a Budget" series. Register online and get more information at SustainableBudget.com.

Sat 24jan09

Modern Organic Farming Tools and Techniques with David Knaus, Fresh Earth Gardens LLC. 10a-2pm, Saturday 24 Jan 2009 @ WSU Clark County 78th St Farm, 1919 NE 78th Street, Vancouver 98665. Second of ten in a $450 series, "Modern Organic Farming on Small Acreage." FFI, please visit http://clark.wsu.edu or http://freshearthgardens.com/classes.

Mon 26jan09

"Sustainable Living on a Budget," introductory class with Monique Dupre. 7-9pm Monday 26 Jan 2009 @ Ecolution NW, 1709 Broadway, Vancouver 98663. Come see why Monique is such a well-regarded teacher as she offers this basic introduction to new-school home economics. $35 with registration online at http://www.sustainablebudget.com/?page_id=15

Thu 29jan09

"Northwest VEG Vancouver Potluck." 6:30-9pm @ Clark Public Utilities Service Center, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver 98663. FFI: http://www.nwveg.org/Calendar.html, (503) 224-7380 or info@nwveg.org.

"Planning the Vegetable Garden" with Urban Farm School, 6:30-8:30pm, Thursday, 29 Jan 2009 @ DiTazza Cafe, 2100 SE 164th Avenue Suite D109, Vancouver, 98683. FFI please visit http://urbanfarmschool.wordpress.com/upcoming-events/ or phone (360) 907-5814. $15.

Sat 31jan09

Whole Land Concepts and Fieldwork with David Knaus, Fresh Earth Gardens LLC. 10a-2pm, Saturday 31 Jan 2009 @ WSU Clark County 78th St Farm, 1919 NE 78th Street, Vancouver 98665. Third of ten in a $450 series, "Modern Organic Farming on Small Acreage." FFI, please visit http://clark.wsu.edu or http://freshearthgardens.com/classes

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