Tag Archives: Sahali Centre Mall

Kamloops Seedy Saturday 2013: Kamloops Seed Sanctuary

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Seed the roots to local food security by supporting Seedy Saturday and the NEW Kamloops Seed Sanctuary.

When: February 2 and 16, 2013 and March 2 and 16, 2013
Where: Sahali Centre Mall
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Contact: Leslie Welch 250.828.2321 or Fawn Knox 250.579.5768
Email: plants444@gmail.com or fawnfknox@gmail.com

“In our society, growing food yourself has become the most radical of acts… By the process of directly working in harmony with nature, we do the one thing most essential to change the world ? we change ourselves.”
Jules Dervaes

PRESS RELEASE: Annual Seedy Saturday alters direction to pave the way for Seed Sanctuary

Seedy Saturday Event held on the last week of February is being altered so plans towards establishing a local Seed Sanctuary can begin. The Seedy Saturday event began with the idea of providing opportunities for individuals to learn how to save and share local, organic seeds, how to grow a successful garden and how to preserve the harvest. We will continue with this in mind but one group is providing a whole new approach to our annual event while others are preparing for a local seed sanctuary.

This year the Thompson Shuswap Master Gardeners will host a Veggie Garden in a Bag event during which gardening advice, information handouts on soil fertility, seed saving, and demonstrations will be offered. In addition the Master Gardeners have gathered packets of seeds into paper bags organized to contain most of the seeds needed to plant a successful garden. These bags will be handed out free to folks attending the Veggie Garden in a Bag event. The event will take place at the Visions Farmers Market at Sahali Mall commencing on February 2, 2013 from 10:00am – 2:00pm. The event will be held on February 16, March 2, and 16 at the same times.

With plans well under way for a successful alternative to the Seedy Saturday, attention is now being directed to establishing a local seed sanctuary and, as well, inviting those individuals who have saved his or her own seeds to participate in a locally grown seed exchange. Our goal is to appeal to interested individuals who appreciate the importance of preserving and promoting regionally adapted organic seeds. We will need a devoted group of people who would be committed to maintaining, evaluating and keeping records of vegetables and herbs grown in this area.

This will be a daunting task but fortunately help is not far away. Dan Jason, founder of the Salt Spring Seed and Plant Sanctuary, is willing to come to Kamloops to talk about his experiences on Salt Spring Island and to help us to ?grow our own seed bank?. Dan Jason will be here in Kamloops on Saturday April 27th to speak to those interested in this project and to those who want to participate in a locally grown seed exchange. The time and location are currently being considered and will be announced soon. The goal to establish a local seed sanctuary is closer to being realized.

Winter Farmer’s Market in Kamloops: Photo Essay

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Here is Andy Balogh founder and president of Visions Farmers Market Society. He runs Dandy Meats which produces certified organic beef, pork and chicken.

Time: 10:00am to 2:30pm
When: Five Saturdays from November 17 to December 15, 2012
Where: Sahali Centre Mall

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Are you looking for some Kamloops honey for a sweet Christmas gift?

Kamloops now has a Winter Farmer’s Market. If you are a vendor and would like to join the market please contact Visions Farmers Market Society and Andy Balogh at 250.577.3810 for more information. Their guidelines for vendors are: “You make it. You bake it. You grow it.”

Here are just a few images of the first winter market at Sahahi Centre Mall. I hope to see you there next Saturday.

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Here is Sun Rivers Organics with their wonderful heritage potatoes, squash, and garlic. They have a large variety of heirloom squash.

If you are wondering what is so special about heirloom varieties, please read Harvest Bounty: Seed Saving. Ask Ed or Daniela Basile of Sun Rivers Organics about why seed saving is so important. Be prepared for next year’s Seedy Saturday by saving all your own seed.

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Paula and Mendel Rubinson of Silver Springs Organic have a large selection of winter storage vegetables. They still have cabbages for making sauerkraut?or kim chi.

If you have never made fermented foods before but would like to give it a try, please see Harvest Bounty and Traditional Fermentation: Photo Essay.

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Here is Erik?s Sausage and Meats. As you can see there are samples so you can try each type of sausage before purchasing.

If you have ever wanted to try making your own sausages, please see Fresh Homemade Sausage. After making your own sausages you really appreciate the effort that goes into sausage making.

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If your larder is full for the winter, maybe you are interested in herbal cosmetics and healing creams. Riversong Agriharmonics has an assortment of soaps, bath bombs, creams and cosmetics.

Small batch herbal apothecary products can make wonderful Christmas gifts. Usually, these products are produced with care from the highest quality materials, but always ask questions. If you are on a budget and would like to make your own homemade cosmetics and cleaners please see Healthy Household: Staying Clean Safely.

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There are many other producers at the Winter Farmer's Market. If you are looking for unique Christmas gifts, you will find an assortment of herbal apothecary products, handcrafted artisan woolen items, decorated sugar cookies, and award winning Precious Preserves.