Save the Boulevards

I received an e-mail this morning from Rainey Hopewell, forwarding the following from Zoë Mager. I want to share it with all urban foodists in Victoria.

My name is Zoë Mager and alongside my housemate Chris Fretwell and other inhabitants of 1702 Belmont, we have put a huge amount of effort, resources and seeds into a boulevard garden on the green space at the intersecting corner of Belmont, Begbie and Grant streets. One of the many of our neighbours who enjoys and supports our gardening initiative there named this space Kale Corner. We have made every effort to keep the space clean, safe, aesthetically pleasing, away from sidewalks as not to obstruct any walking paths. Truly a labour of love, the gardens have been admired by many a neighbour walking their dog or biking with their children. This morning a city worker came  by and without any notice began deconstructing the raised bed that we created there. They took away the driftwood that contained our beds and warned that they would come back to re-seed the 3 truckloads of earth that had been brought.  After speaking with him and being told that our food garden was a liability, he directed us to Gord Smith, Parks Operations Manager.

We are asking for the support of city council to halt the dismantling of the garden and permit the use of the green space for this community garden initiative. As well, we are asking our gardening allies and those with a passion for taking back the commons and growing food in public space to stand up next to us. There will be a petition at Simple Remedies on Cook St. and hopefully at the Cornerstone Café starting this weekend. Also feel free to come check out the space. This weekend we will be erecting a large poster and petition on the fence at Kale Corner. There will be a City Council meeting going on tomorrow night as well. You can try and sign up to be on the speakers list  http://www.victoria.ca/cityhall/council-address-form.aspx  The sign up is supposed to happen by 11 am on the Wednesday before but since the deconstruction began this morning, that was not possible.

Attached is the Urban Agriculture Resolution act passed in 1997

Thanks for your solidarity folks and feel free to contact us if you have any ideas or words of wisdom on the matter.

Zoë Mager:   zoemager@hotmail.com
Philipe Lucas:  plucas@victoria.ca  250-361-0217 @ City Hall or 250-216-5433 (cell)

So Much to Learn

Do you check out what's happening at the Fairfield Community Centre? Here's one good way: on Facebook.

That's how I read about this must-attend event for Fairfield residents, especially those who care about gardening and food security. You can read more on the Facebook page, but here's the description:

What does your city look like 30 years from now?

The City of Victoria has prepared a draft Official Community Plan (OCP), which is now ready for your feedback.

Join us for an open house event at Fairfield Community Place during the Moss Street Market, Saturday, May 14, and learn more about this important plan for Victoria. Come and tell us what matters to you as we plan for the city’s future.

Review different aspects of the plan and speak with staff who can answer your questions. Neighbourhood walking tours discussing how the OCP might influence your neighbourhood will take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

It’s important that we hear from as many people as possible as we update this important plan for Victoria. This is your chance to contribute to the future of your city. We invite you to get involved and contribute your thoughts.

The Fairfield Community Gardens Association will definitely be there.

-Fiona Gilsenan

An Hour in the Garden...

Is better than an hour in the queue. So says the narrator of this brilliant allotment garden propaganda film.

Royal Weeding Day!

How many of you got up at 3 am to pull a few weeds?

-Fiona Gilsenan

Dirt, Lovely Dirt

Soil and fertility photo by Fiona Gilsenan

You never know what you might find once you start paying attention to the soil. Master garden-type Geoff Johnson can teach you more this weekend in a LifeCycles workshop happening in Esquimalt. Here are the details:

Soil and Fertility (with Geoff Johnson), Saturday, April 23rd from 2-4pm Esquimalt Rec Centre - $15-20
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED as space is limited.
Please contact uahub@lifecyclesproject.ca or 250-383-5800 to register for workshops.

Sounds like a great way to learn more about the wonders of dirt and what it can do for you.

Chickens

Fancy chicken photo from Murray McMurray website.

Everybody wants chickens. I know I do. And I've seen a few coops in Fairfield. Are you wondering whether keeping chickens is legal in Victoria? According to the Victoria Animal Control Services Inc. (which may be the ugliest website ever)...

Farm Animals are prohibited with the exception of chickens, ducks & geese.   These fowl can only be kept as pets or for personal egg consumption.   Eggs cannot be sold or advertised for sale.   Excessive numbers of fowl will bring into question intended use.   Roosters are prohibited.   If you are thinking about keeping chickens call us and we will tell you the issues and potential problems to avoid.   Potbellied pigs are considered Farm Animals regardless of where they are kept (indoors or outdoors).

So that seems clear. Fortunately, the city of Victoria doesn't mind if we keep chickens. Tempted? To find out everything you ever needed to know about poultry, visit the Murray McMurray hatchery website.

Now, how about chickens in Community Gardens?

-Fiona Gilsenan

Fairfield AGM

Garry oak leaves in Moss Rock Park (photo by Emrys Miller, GOERT website) 



Do you live in Fairfield? What are you doing Thursday night? How about stopping by the

FGCA Annual General Meeeting?
Thursday April 14 @ 7pm
Garry Oak Room, 1335 Thurlow
 
What happens at the AGM? I'm not completely sure, as I've never been to one, but I'll be there with Jessica, Linda, and Bonnie Mae from the garden committee. We can answer any questions you have about the garden and you can find out more about your Community Association.

See you in the Garry Oak Rm...

-Fiona Gilsenan