Seeds of Diversity/Semences du Patrimoine: Seedy Saturdays Across Canada for February-April 2004

"Seeds of Diversity" For immediate release Dec. 9, 03

Source: www.seeds.ca

Press release-long version

Gardeners, come join us at a Seedy Saturday in your area during the winter months! "Seedy Saturday" is a remarkable phenomenon. It is not one event, but an annual series of 41 separate events across the country; each organized individually and uniquely under the same general theme. At the heart of each Seedy Saturday - or in some communities, a Seedy Sunday - is a community seed exchange.

Many of them are co-sponsored by our organization, Seeds of Diversity, a non-profit group of gardeners and farmers whose goal is to keep the best heritage plants that generations of gardeners have treasured.

By attending the Seedy Saturday in your area, you can find help for your garden at the many workshops offered, swap your favourite seeds with other gardeners at the seed exchange table, and buy open-pollinated heritage seeds and plants that are not genetically engineered from local vendors. You may find activities for your children and enjoy lunch at many events.

 

Saturday 6 March 2004: Comox Valley, BC

Florence Filberg Centre, Courtenay, 10-3, sponsored by the Comox Valley Seed Savers, the 5th Anniversary Celebration of "Growing and Saving Our Heritage" in the Comox Valley.

Seedy Saturday has something for everyone. Key to the event is the Community Seed Exchange featuring seeds from heritage and non-hybrid plants that have adapted to the conditions of the local area. A wide array of Vendors will offer sales of seeds and innovative gardening products that meet the needs of the coaster gardener. As always, great fresh food will be available at our Seedy Café. Besides the trading, shopping and eating possibilities, the event offers valuable educational opportunities. Experts are available to share their knowledge at many information booths. Four workshops will feature speakers on topics popular with our local gardeners and seed savers, and for those keen on doing their part for fostering a healthy environment for the future. Details of these sessions will soon be posted on our website at www.cvseeds.bc.ca

For more information contact Barb at 250-337-2008 or bseeds@telus.net or visit our website at www.cvseeds.bc.ca.

 

Saturday 7 February 2004: Qualicum Beach, BC

Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, 10-4. There will be a Community Seed Swap, speakers, heritage plants, organic growers, raffle, seeds, Seedy Cafe, door prizes. For further information phone Kim Hammond at 250 -2482932, FAX 250 -2482931, e-mail - trilliums@shaw.ca

 

Sunday 7 March 2004: Nanaimo, BC

Bowen Park Auditorium, 500 Bowen Rd, 10-4

Trade or purchase organic and non-hybrid seeds, native plants, bee houses, rain barrels and other tools for self-reliance. Workshops will be featured throughout the day. Contact Michael Carpenter at (250) 741-1928, carpentem@mala.bc.ca, www.seedsavers.bc.ca

 

Saturday 13 March 2004: Cobble Hill, BC

Cobble Hill Hall, 10-3.

This will be our 4th Seedy Saturday. Sponsored by the Farmers Institute. Seed exchange table, vendors of organic and open pollinated seeds, local growers of specialty plants, etc. Contact: Carolyn (250) 743-7305 or at rrl-ltd@shaw.ca.

 

Saturday 21 February 2004: Victoria, BC

Victoria Conference Centre, 10 to 4

 

Saturday 14 February 2004: Salt Spring Island, BC

Ganges Secondary School, 10-3

Our coordinator is Erin Harper, e-mail eharper@alumni.sfu.ca; phone (250) 537-8542. Our Seed and Plant Exchange will be held again in conjunction with The Saltspring Film Festival. "Our Island: Our World."

Our theme this year is "Saltspring: a Growing Sanctuary." This theme celebrates the rich abundance of heirloom plants of Saltspring and will also accentuate the work of Dan Jason in his establishment of our National Seed Sanctuary.

 

Saturday 28 February 2004: Vancouver, BC

VanDusen Botanical Gardens, 10-4

 

Saturday 3 April 2004: Surrey, BC

Stewart Farm, 12-4

Vendors will have heritage and native seeds and plants for sale, Seeds of Diversity Canada will have a display on heritage seeds, Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions, costumed guides will give tours of the Victorian farmhouse and heritage gardens, and there will be seedy crafts and games for the whole family. At Historic Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Road, Surrey. For information, call 604-502-6456. Admission by donation.

 

Date TBA: Robert's Creek, BC

 

Saturday 20 March 2004: Enderby, BC

Enderby Drill Hall

 

Saturday 6 March 2004: Kelowna, BC

Laurel Hall, 2-1304 Ellis Street, 10 -4. Organized by Sher Alcock of Sunshine Farm, 250 764-4810, sunshinefarm@shaw.ca, or website at www.sunshinefarm.net

 

Sunday 15 February 2004: Winlaw, BC

Winlaw Hall, 10-3

 

Saturday 6 March 2004: Salmo, BC

Guide/Scout Hall 4th St., 10:30-2 pm, Contact Ursula Raney at grows@salmobc.com; 250-357-2808

 

Saturday 10 April 2004: Invermere, BC

 

Saturday 20 March 2004: Edmonton, AB

Concordia University College, 10-4.

7128 Ada Blvd (2 blocks S of 112 Ave. on 73rd St.). Lots of free parking Details; Chris, ph: (780) 466-1678/ (780) 468-2796 fax (780) 469-3050 info@mkids.com

 

Saturday 31 January 2004: Devon, AB

Devonian Botanical Gardens, 11-4

Our "Get the Jump on Spring...For Gardeners Who Can't Wait!" Pre-season gardening information and fun! Seed sales, seed exchanges, free gardening lectures all day, horticultural societies and allied groups. Commercial vendors, kid's activities and prizes. Fee: Admission is $2.00 per adult/kids are free; includes access to the Japanese Garden and all show houses. Refreshments will be available at reasonable cost.

 

Saturday 7 February 2004: Winnipeg, MB

Assiniboine Park Conservatory, 10-3

"Roots in the Past, Routes to the Future" Seeds of Diversity Canada joins the Friends of the Conservatory in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Assiniboine Park and the horticultural heritage of Manitoba. Displays, speakers, seeds for sale and swap. Contact Margaret at 204/986-6628, mbrook@winnipeg.ca

 

Saturday 14 February 2004: London, ON

 

Saturday 21 February 2004: Kitchener, ON

Doon Heritage Crossroads, 10-3.

We will be holding the event in the Curatorial Centre, and we will again have a group of speakers covering an array of topics. In addition, there will be heritage seed vendors, as well as several small exhibits on display. Admission will be $2.00. The contact person is Kevin Thomas, at (519) 748-1914 or by e-mail at tkevin@region.waterloo.on.ca

 

Saturday 7 February 2004: Hamilton, ON

Royal Botanical Gardens, 10 to 4

 

Saturday April 17, 2004: Hillsburgh, ON

Everdale Centre

 

Saturday 13 March 2004: Toronto, ON

Scadding Court Community Centre, Dundas at Bathurst

 

Saturday 7 February 2004: Oshawa, ON

Parkwood, the RS McLaughlin Estate, 10-3

 

Satuday 6 March 2004: Ottawa, ON

Tom Brown Hall, 141 Bayview, 10-3

Contact Greta Kryger at kryger2181@rogers.com; 613-521-8648

 

Sunday 8 February 2003: Montreal, QC

Montreal Botanical Garden, 4101 rue Sherbrooke, 10-4

Sponsored by Les Amis du Jardin Botanique de Montréal and Seeds of Diversity, information Diane Joubert 450-672-9367

 

Saturday 7 February 2004: Sherbrooke, QC

Salle paroissiale de l`église du Précieux-Sang, 785 rue Thibault, 9-4.

Co-sponsored by Société d`horticulture et d`écologie de Sherbrooke.

 

Sunday 14 March 2004: St-George-de-Beauce, QC

"Salle paroissiale" at St-Georges de Beauce, 9-4.

Fête des Semences en Beauce & présence d'Artisans. Organizers are Mm Gérard Parent de St-Joseph, tél. (418) 397-6340 and Réjean Turgeon de St-Georges de Beauce, tél. (418) 228-6292 with the cooperation of the "Société d'horticulture la Chaudière fleurie".

 

Saturday 13 March 2004: St. Vallier-de-Bellechase, QC

10-5

C'est une fête familiale, il y aura des activités pour les enfants, des ateliers et la possibilité de manger sur place.

 

Saturday 7 February 2004: Fredericton, NB

St. Andrews Church Hall, Charlotte St., 1-4

This venue is in downtown Fredericton and easy to find. There will be a $2.00 admission charge and refreshments will be served. Seed catalogues will be available. Each participant will receive a free package of locally collected seed that from plants that have not been treated with pesticides. All are Welcome. Contact: Jane Seabrook, Tel: (506) 459-7862, E-mail: seabrook@nb.sympatico.ca

 

Saturday 6 March 2004: Knowlesville, NB

Fallsbrook Centre, 1-4, 125 South Knowlesville Rd.

Contact: Andrea Berry, tel: 506-375-4310, e-mail: andrea@fallsbrookcentre.ca A casual afternoon inviting anyone and everyone to bring their enthusiasm and interest in gardening and seed saving, whether with years of experience or a new curiosity. Participants are not required to bring seeds. Afternoon coffee, tea, and snacks provided. A $5 donation is graciously appreciated by those who are able to contribute. Come out and start the Spring early!

 

Saturday 13 March 2004: Halifax, NS

Emmanuel Church Hall, Spryfield, 2-4:30 pm

The Urban Farm Museum Society, in partnership with the Nova Scotia Organic Growers Society, will be hosting this province-wide seed-sharing event. There will be a children's corner, demonstrations on saving seeds and planting them. Marjorie Willison will be on hand to answer your gardening questions.

Home gardeners who save seeds and/or have seeds to share are encouraged to label their seeds and bring them to Seedy Saturday's "potluck" tables where they can exchange them for other seeds at no charge.

There is no admission fee but donations to the Urban Farm Museum Society will be gratefully accepted.

The Urban Farm Museum Society's mandate is to create farm experiences in an urban setting to commemorate Spryfield's agricultural heritage, strengthen the area's traditional social fabric, enable food production in the city and serve as an adjunct teaching venue for local schools.

Anyone who wants a booth from which to sell seeds must register with the Urban Farm Museum Society Society by March 2, 2004. For registration or other information about Seedy Saturday or the Society please call 477-6102 or 477-2933. Emmanuel inquiries at an679@chebucto.ns.ca or

jphwhite@ns.sympatico.ca

 

For more detailed or updated information, or contacts, see our Website, www.seeds.ca. or contact Judy at mail@seeds.ca.; phone 1-866-509-seeds (7333)-answering machine.