  Fruit & Nut Tree Grafting Workshop, Permaculture Design Conversation and Rare Tree Auction @ NEO’s Chescott Farm Sunday September 20th, 2009 This extraordinary event will feature one of Canada’s preeminent producers of perennial plant stock, permaculture seeds and exotic organic fruits, unparalleled in eastern Canada. Ken Taylor of Windmill Point Farm and the Green Barn Nursery has over 30 years of experience grafting and growing a whole range of edible forest garden species on his family’s 70 acre farm on Ille Perrot just west of Montreal. Following registration and coffee (9am), Ken will lead the morning workshop featuring grafting techniques and other tips associated with production of rare and exotic fruit trees. (9:30-12:00) Note: Having participated in one of Ken’s events this spring in Wakefield, Quebec, I have no doubt that he will make the proceedings as entertaining as they are informative, so be prepared to have a laugh while you taking notes! A good grafting or box knife would also be a good thing to bring. Following the mornings proceedings participants will enjoy a delicious, vegetarian lunch prepared with organic ingredients and freshly harvested garden produce by NEO’s own team of farmer-chefs. Please let us know ahead of time if you have any specific dietary considerations. After lunch participants are free to explore the farm and get to know their fellow organic food permaculture enthusiasts. (12:00-1:30) In the afternoon Ken and co-host Farmer Ryan will lead a field walk discussing design elements important to the development of permaculture forests and market gardens, in light of those which Ryan has been installing over the last few years at Chescott Farm to the best of his ability! (1:30-3:00) After a short break to set the stage, we will then proceed with an ‘animated’ live auction of precious fruit and nut trees hardy to zone 4, as well as many rare and exotic species suitable for indoor-outdoor growing as Ken has demonstrated with his Green Barn project at Windmill Point Farm. We’ll wrap up the day with a few more questions from the audience and some light snacks. (3:30-5:00) The cost for the full slate of events is $85, which includes morning coffee and snacks, a hearty vegetarian lunch, and afternoon snacks during the live auction. For those wishing to attend for the afternoon’s proceedings only, a $35 admission rate is available, while those only wishing to partake in the live auction can expect a $15 admission. A limited number of work-trades are being offered on a first come first serve basis, with family discounts also negotiable. Registration by phone (519) 599.5136, email (ryan@NEOrganics.ca) or snail mail (P.O. Box 469 Clarksburg, ON N0H 1J0). Registrations received by September 1st will receive a $10 discount (full day only) and cheques can be made payable to Niagara Escarpment Organics - thank you. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a kind event and the chance to be part of the local food revolution! Think Global, Eat Local. www.NEOrganics.ca  NEO’s other Special Events for 2009: Every Thursday Evening 4:00-7:00pm Farmgate Sales then 7:15-8:15 Ladybug Yoga with Farmer Laura (at least for the rest of August!) Wednesday April 15: Volunteer & Work-trader Orientation Day Saturday April 18: Alternative Orientation Day & Community Work Bee April 20-24: Earth Week Activities (To Be Announced) Friday May 15: Community Work Bee Saturday May 16: NEO’s Spring Open House Week of May 26-30: First pick-up of 20 week Summer CSA Program Wednesday July 1: Canada Day Community Event Wednesday August 5th: Community Workbee (8-12)Saturday August 15th: Wildcrafting & Herbal Preparations Event with local crafters Herbal Moma’s @ NEO’s at Chescott Farm Sunday September 20: Fruit & Nut Tree Grafting Workshop, Permaculture Design Planting Instruction & Rare Tree Auction @ NEO’s Chescott Farm with Special Guest Ken Taylor of Windmill Point Farm and the Green Barn Nursery (see below for details) Saturday October 10: Collingwood Thanksgiving Market / Last pick-up of 20wk CSA  NEO’s Spring/Summer/Fall 2009 Market Schedule: Tuesday - Afternoon market at the Wasaga Beach Rec Plex (coming soon!) Wednesday - Farmer’s Market in Downtown Clarksburg, 4-7pm Thursday - ‘Farm Gate Sales’ at NEO’s Chescott Farm (see map), 4-7pm and ‘Sidewalk Sales’ in Downtown Collingwood at Wheat & Honey, Hurontario b/w 1st & 2nd St, 3-6pm Friday - Restaurant Deliveries and Depot Drop-offs (contact us for details) Saturday - Farmer’s Market in Downtown Collingwood, 8:00 -1:00pm (except July 25th Elvis w/end) Sunday - Closed for our day of rest!  NEO’s 2009 Summer CSA Basket Program: This year we’ve decided to go with a more traditional style CSA with an emphasis on seasonal, local and value-added in our baskets. While they will feature lots of spring greens, onions and radishes early on, the contents will evolve over the course of the season and will get heavier in the summer and fall as the variety and depth of produce coming off the land increases. Peas, beans, zukes, cukes, tomatoes, peppers, garlic, leek, carrots, beets, turnip, potatoes, fresh salad greens, herbs, flowers and more will all find their way from our farm into your kitchen! Pricing anticipates that members will miss the odd week, but members are encouraged to try and make all 20 if they can. Only 2 ‘missed baskets’ can be re-assigned per season. Baskets can be picked up at any of our markets (see schedule below), as well as at other designated ‘depots’ on assigned days. If you have the equivalent of 5 half shares in your neighbourhood and are interested in becoming a depot, please contact ryan@NEOrganics.ca to work out the particulars on getting NEO delivered to your door. Will there be fruit? Yes there will, but we are only willing to go so far for organic fruit in the summer season so in addition to early and late season local apples, we’ll also hope to grow some of our own melons and berries and will source other local organic fruit if available. The details of the 20 week program (May 30 - Oct 10) are as follows… Half Share Price (Averages to $20/wk): $350 Full Share Price (Averages to $40/wk): $700 You can sign up for our CSA by emailing laura@NEOrganics.ca and secure your booking with a cheque payable to Niagara Escarpment Organics P.O. Box 469 Clarksburg, ON N0H 1J0 Minimum deposit is 50% with the remainder (or post dated cheques) payable by the first week of the program please. Free Spirit Tours & Niagara Escarpment Organics Environmental Learning & Outdoor Adventure Camp Learn more about the camp by clicking here: www.freespirit-tours.com  School Groups, Farm Tours and Off-Farm Events: If you would like to have your group to the farm or see what synergies NEO can bring to your school, property or place of work, please inquire by telephone - 519.599.5136. All other inquiries, or to subscribe or unsubscribe to NEO’s Weekly Newsletter, please contact NEO and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.  Farmer Ryan bringing ecological agriculture into focus during a local school group visit to Chescott Farm. |
