[Pil-pc-oceania] National Community Garden, School Garden, Food Security and Seed Savers Conference

[pacific-edge]

Hi 

If you have been thinking of going to the National Community Garden, School
Garden, Food Security and Seed Savers Conference in Melbourne, Collingwood
20-25 March 2007 and you haven't found accommodation yet, there are 12 bed
dorms available at the Nunnery, Nicholson St Fitzroy.

It seems like it is only a few blocks from the conference venue:

http://www.nunnery.com.au/home.htm

A few of us here in Sydney, Wollongong and Albury are staying there.

Some people in Wollongong have a 12 bed dorm and there are only 4 of them,
so there may be space for some other community gardeners, seed savers,
school garden people in the room.

Also to qualify for early bird deal, full payment must be received by 1st
March 2007. Go to this website download the registration form:

http://www.communitygarden.org.au/events/conference_07/index.html

....Fiona

--------------

4th Annual City Farms & Community Gardens Conference
(incorporating the 19th Annual Seed Savers¹ Conference)
Collingwood Town Hall Melbourne, March 20-25th, 2007

Dr. Vandana Shiva* & Helena Norberg-Hodge
International perspectives on food security

Dr Elaine Ingham (Just announced!!!)
Internationally renowned soil-microbiologist
President and Director of Research Soil Foodweb Inc.
 
David Holmgren
Permaculture, energy descent and food security

Mick Marston
UK Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens

Malaika Edwards
Co-founder People¹s Grocery, Oakland USA

Jude & Michel Fanton
Seed Savers Network

Gardening Australia presenter Jerry Coleby-Williams
Sustainable urban gardening
 
Jackie French
Author, Permaculturalist, gardening dynamo

* Please note; in an effort to reduce her greenhouse emissions Vandana Shiva
will be delivering a powerpoint presentation live via voice link from India.

----------------------
THE PROGRAM a summary
Day 1: School Gardens

Tuesday 20th March

The School Gardens day of the conference will focus on bringing people
together who are interested in furthering their own school garden projects
and those starting from scratch.

Presentations and workshops to choose from, include:

    * Specialist kitchen garden teachers from Cultivating Community
    * Jackie French
    * Eric Bottomley from CERES Sustainable Schools Program
    * Leonie Brown (Bentleigh West)
    * The Gould League
    * Seed Savers
    * Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation and teachers
    * Students and parents from various local, rural & specialist school
programs. 

Be inspired by the great work of many dedicated people working in gardens
with schools.

If your are interested in presenting a workshop go to invitation to present
a workshop.


Day 2: Seed Savers¹

Wednesday 21st March

For millennia, our ancestors have selected and saved seeds of the precious
food species that we enjoy eating today. During the 20th Century, however,
this seed diversity has been eroded by the corporatisation of the food
system. Many people aware of these issues are now actively working in their
communities to preserve the genetic heritage of these seeds.

Find out about what¹s happening globally and locally, as we journey with
Jude and Michel of the Seed Savers¹ Network, local seed saving groups and a
variety of different workshops and presenters who will share their knowledge
of seed issues and projects, seed saving experiences, and the beauty of
seeds and the seed cycle.


Day 3: Food Security

Thursday 22nd March

What is Food Security, and what does it really mean? On this day of the
conference we explore the many issues that impact on people¹s access to
fresh, affordable food, beginning with the global food perspective, and
teasing out the threads of social and environmental justice. In an era of
decreasing energy and climate change how are we preparing to feed ourselves
in the future?

Inspiring workshops including:

    * Local is Luscious!
    * The Foodmiles Challenge: how far did your food travel?
    * Food trees & bush foods in streetscapes
    * The urban orchard
    * Community fresh food markets
    * Shared backyard food gardens
    * Greywater
    * Gardening in 'the big dry¹
    * Inspiring documentaries
    * Visiting a local food justice market.

If your are interested in presenting a workshop go to invitation to present
a workshop.


Day 4: City Farms & Community Gardens

Friday 23rd March

City farms & community gardens are on the increase, as communities continue
to reclaim common land for sharing in the age-old production of food close
to home. Especially in the city where land is at a premium, the city farms &
community garden movement is crucial to ensuring that we both protect and
lobby for garden space to grow food in our cities.

Find out about what new community garden projects and urban farms are
happening, and hear from the community gardeners themselves.

Discover and share the myriad benefits of community gardening through
stories, hands-on workshops and great presentations.

Our Keynote presenter for this day will be Mick Marston, who works for both
the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens and The Soils Association
in the UK. Mick has been involved with community gardens since 1976 and will
be sharing his vast knowledge of a number of projects.

If your are interested in presenting a workshop go to invitation to present
a workshop.


Day 5: City Farm, Community Garden & School Garden Tours

Saturday 24th March - day

Get-up, shake yer booty and come along for the ride! On this day there will
be two garden tours, one visiting a number of different city farm &
community garden projects, and the second, school gardens around Melbourne.
Each garden is unique and particular to the needs of the community that use
it. Be inspired and feast your eyes on the wealth of creative horticultural
passion and innovation these gardens display.


Day 5: Saturday Night Party @ VegOut, St Kilda!

Saturday 24th March - night

Come and relax amongst plots of veggies, flowers, sculptures, chooks and
enjoy a boogie, great food, great music and great company at one of
Melbourne¹s most famous community gardens.


Day 6: CERES Harvest Festival

Sunday 25th March

Now that you¹ve spent the week immersed in the world of urban agriculture,
globally and locally, relax and join in the CERES Harvest Festival where you
can experience first-hand the foods of cross-cultural Melbourne, and the
bounty of nature. Don¹t forget to book your place at the Harvest dinner
table.