Winter 2013 · Down to Earth - Canadian Organic Growers

Fall Reflections 2012
F
eatured at Fall Reflections was our new chapter name and logo: Canadian Organic Growers,
Ottawa - St. Lawrence - Outaouais Chapter, or COG OSO for short. After considerable deliberation
the Steering Committee decided that this much more accurately represents the region of our
involvement.
Display tables focused on COG OSO programs provided handouts and information for events such
as Growing Up Organic, Senior Organic Gardeners, Feast of Fields, Summer Tours, Organic Gardening
in the City Workshops, and the Organic Food Directory.
Our new Outstanding Volunteer Award was presented to two highly deserving individuals in
this inaugural year: Connie Mooney and Stephanie Pelot. Please see elsewhere in Down to Earth for
details.
At Fall Reflections, the many volunteers who make it possible for COG OSO to provide charitable
services in the community were celebrated in a photographic review of the year’s achievements.
The annual Report on Activities for 2012 and the Treasurer’s Report were available in print and
both reports are posted on our website: www.cog.ca/ottawa/.
The following enthusiastic volunteers were elected to the 2013 Steering Committee:
Chair: Susan Preston; Treasurer: Gary Weinhold; Membership Secretary: Dick Coote; Recording
Secretary: David Townson; Members-at-large: Lloyd Strachan, Jennie Videto, Tim & Roshan Aubin,
Stuart Collins, Kathy Smart, Clara Armone Scimeca, Brad Wright, and Robert Oecshli. We congratulate
and thank them in advance for their service to COG OSO and the greater Ottawa community.
A very engaging panel discussion about “Organic Beekeeping Practices: Successes and Challenges
in Urban and Rural Areas” was the highlight of the day. Yoann Bonnefond from Santropol
Rouland in partnership with McGill’s Edible Campus rooftop gardens and beehives discussed urban
beekeeping, while Kurt Striekeise spoke about beekeeping practices in the rural milieu from his 45
years of experience. There were many beekeepers in the audience who participated in the discussion.
Organic snacks were generously provided by Little Stream Bakery and Rainbow Natural Foods as
well as fair trade organic coffee by Joël’s Coffee. More than 80 people participated in Fall Reflections
this year and their support is much appreciated. We hope you can join us at our next event, Eco Farm
Day on February 23, 2013 or at our Organic Gardening in the City Workshops in April 2013.
senioR oRGanic GaRdeneRs
S
enior Organic Gardeners (SOG) were active
in two retirement homes in 2012 as part of
a pilotproject to get seniors involved in organic
growing. We have been invited to continue at
Unitarian House and Longfields Manor in 2013.
The challenge now is to raise funds to
expand SOG to serve seniors in additional retirement
homes. Funding is needed for a SOG
Coordinator who could promote the program
throughout the city.
Notably, the Awesome Foundation, Ottawa
Chapter recently awarded SOG $1000. Please
visit their website below to view a photograph
of Marjorie and Margaret planting last spring at
Unitarian House. www.awesomefoundation.
org/en/chapters/ottawa
The Next Challenge!
Our major Fundraising Campaign is now in
progress and we are contacting enterprises that
have a vested interest in seniors to offer them
sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorship opportunities
can be view at: www.cog.ca/ottawa/
senior_organic_gardeners
If you know of an individual or an enterprise
interested in funding SOG, please drop us
a line at: ottawachapter@cog.ca or call (613)-
244-4000 Ext. 2.
CBC Radio recently conducted an interview
with Margaret about SOG. The interview
can be heard at: www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/
Local+Shows/Ontario/ID/2311339872/
Thanks to Our Sponsors!
All of our Feast of
Fields Farmer &
Chef Teams
Arbour Shoppe
Awesome Foundation
Ottawa
Beau’s All Natural
Brewing Company
Bread & Sons
Bridgehead
Bullfrog Power
Campus d’Alfred,
University of
Guelph
Centre for Systems
Integration
Character Creative
Charles Frost
Photography
Community
Foundation of
Ottawa
Community Garden
Network / Just
Food
Debbie Holzman
Designs
Eastern Ontario
Training Board
EcoCert Canada
Emile Peloquin and
Liberte
Enviro Centre
Frogpond
Funny Duck Farms
George Bushell
Healthwise Ottawa
Herb & Spice
(Wellington)
Homestead Organics
Joël’s Coffee
Judi Varga Toth,
Credible Edibles
Julie Desmarais &
Associates
Khalsa Health
Connection
Knox Fine Dining
La Siembra / Camino
Little Stream Bakery
Mariposa Farms
Market Organics
Mirelle’s Kitchen
Mongolian Village
Monson Deluxe
Cleaners
Mountain Path
Museums of Ottawa
National Farmers
Union
Nature’s Buzz
Nest
Numi Tea
Nutrichem
Ontario Natural Food
Co-op
Ontario Trillium
Foundation
Organic Council of
Ontario
Organic Meadow
Cooperative
Ottawa Folk Festival
Ottawa Organic
Farmer’s Market
OXFAM Canada
Pantry Plus
Pierre Hault
Planet Botanix
ProCert Canada Inc
Rainbow Foods
Singing Pebble Books
Songberry Farms
South Nation
Conservation
Authority
Sure Print & Graphics
Ten Thousand
Villages
The Cottage Gardener
The Jewel 98.5
The Printing House
The Table
Three Trees
Tracy Arnett Realty
Ltd.
Wheat Berry
Windmill
Development
Group
Within Your Hands
Your Credit Union
Zen Kitchen
Winter 2013 · Down to Earth · 3