More

James Barber Fundraiser

Cowichan Chefs Table and Providence Farm are pleased to announce the 2nd Annual James Barber Fundraiser will be hosted on Sunday, October 7th, 2012 from Noon till 4 pm at Providence Farm, 1843 Tzouhalem Road.

Cowichan Chefs Table and invited BC chefs are hosting this culinary showcase in honour of the late James Barber, Canada’s Urban Peasant. This year’s James Barber Fundraiser has the theme of savoury, spicy & sweet dishes made with local honey. This fundraiser for Providence Farm will feature stations throughout the historic buildings offering culinary delicacies paired with local beer, wine and cider.

Tickets are $100. Guests will be provided a $50 tax receipt. Beverages are included. To order tickets email provfarm@providence.bc.ca

Or call 250.746.4204

The following Cowichan Chefs Table and invited BC chefs along with food & beverage producers are confirmed to participate:

Chef Allan Aikman
Vancouver Island University

Chef Brad Boisvert
Amuse Bistro on the Vineyard

Chef Fatima da Silva
Bistro 161

Chef Jonathan Duquette
Moby’s Oyster Bar & Marine Grill

Chef Marisa Goodwin
Organic Fair

Chef Matt Horn
Cowichan Pasta

Chef Dan Hudson
Hudson’s on First

Chef Bill Jones
Deerholme Farm

Chef Dave Lang
North Island College

Chef Janice Mansfield
Real Food Made Easy

Chef Cory Pelan
The Whole Beast

Chef Brock Windsor
Stone Soup Inn

Chef Bruce Woods
Bruce’s Kitchen

Chef Ryan Zuvih
Hilltop Bistro

Chef Frédéric Desbiens
Saison Market Vineyard

As well as..

Applejack Farm
Pat Barber

Cowichan Bay Seafood
Anne Best

Hilary’s Cheese
Hilary Abbot

True Grain Bread
Bruce & Leslie Stewart

Vancouver Island Sundeck Centre
Brian Holder

Averill Creek Vineyard
Andy & Wendy Johnston

Blue Grouse Estate Winery
Corine Webster
Bailey Williamson

Phillips Beer
Matt Lockhart

Merridale Ciderworks
Janet Docherty & Rick Pipes

Tugwell Creek Farm
Bob Liptrot & Dana LeComte

Unsworth Vineyards
Tim & Colleen Turyk, Sarah & Daniel Cosman

Venturi-Schulze Vineyards
Marilyn Venturi &Michelle Willcock Schulze

Victoria Spirits
Bryan Murray

Drumroaster Coffee
Geir Oglend

Teafarm
Victor Vesley & Margit Nellemann

Thanks to our Sponsors:

Horticultural Therapy Workshops

HORTICULTURAL THERAPY TRAINING RETURNS TO PROVIDENCE FARM

In 2012, Providence Farm partnered with Ann Kent HTM and the Horticultural Therapy Professional Development Program to offer The Practice of Horticultural Therapy. The course sold out and we are excited about new options for training in therapeutic horticulture (TH) and horticultural therapy (HT) in 2013.

Two professional development workshops in therapeutic horticulture take place in April. Both support the vision and purpose of the Providence Farm therapeutic community and take advantage of the Farm’s beautiful setting in Garry Oak meadows and coastal forest.

The instructor, Ann Kent HTM, is a long time supporter and partner of Providence Farm. Ann spent much of her childhood growing up on the leeward shore of Vancouver Island and is very familiar with local horticultural conditions and with south-coastal ecosystems. Ann has an active horticultural therapy practice based in Vancouver, BC.

The Nature Connection in TH and HT programs

Interest in the following workshops has been excellent and registration is now closed for the spring 2013 nature workshops at Providence Farm.

Nature-based activities comprise an important part of fostering health and wellness for participants in TH and HT programs and in contexts such as schools or community centres. A strong research base reinforces the benefits of exploring nature and plant materials. We will use Providence Farm’s meadow and woodland setting to support a variety of indoor and outdoor activities and as inspiration to develop nature-themed seasonal programs that can be readily adapted for use with different populations.

Friday, April 12, 8:45 am to 5:15 pm.

Botanical Weaving – simple indoor and outdoor projects

This workshop focuses on techniques for weaving on a variety of simple frames, some for group projects outdoors, others for table-top work with individual participants. All projects use natural and easily found materials and can be adapted for various levels of skill and ability in TH or similar programs. It doesn’t matter if you have never woven or stitched anything before in your life. Share ideas, conversation, and laughter while you work on several colourful and satisfying projects to take home.

Saturday, April 13, 8:45 am to 5:15 pm.

Fee for each workshop is $135.00 and includes a full day (8 hours) of instruction, lots of helpful handouts, and all plant materials and activity supplies. Those enrolling in both the Friday and Saturday workshops pay a reduced fee of $250.00. There is no HST.

No prerequisites. Join others with similar interests in therapeutic horticulture and nature-based activities. Maximum 12 students in each workshop.

Early registration is advised. To make further inquiries or to obtain a registration form, please contact Ann directly at ann@catkingardens.ca

A statement of completion is provided to assist those who are seeking professional registration with the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association or who wish to use this program for continuing education credits for related professional associations.

For further information about horticultural therapy courses, please downloadHORTICULTURAL THERAPY CERTIFICATE_SPRING 2013_Ann Kent HTM. or visit Ann’s website at www.catkingardens.ca.

Providence Farm and Ann Kent look forward to offering another HT Certificate course in the fall of 2013, dates to be announced early in the New Year.

Fresh Produce From the Farm

Spring is a great time of year at the Farm! The farm team is busy preparing the soil and planting. We now have eight varieties of tomatoes going in the ground…exciting times!

Come visit us in a new location at the Duncan Farmers Market…9am until 2pm on Saturdays. We’ll be set up in the square to the left in front of the main stage. Lots of kale, collards, broccoli, bedding plants and veggie starts.

The Village at Providence Farm

Providence Village Housing Society was created to plan and develop a supportive and sustainable community, with affordable and market rental housing for people who can live independently on a 35 acre parcel of land on Providence Farm. Providence Village Housing Society was incorporated under the Society Act on June 29, 2009.

Village Mission

The Village’s purpose is to build a supportive and sustainable community, which will emphasize social cohesiveness, cooperation, mutual respect and the honouring of diversity. Residents will have a sense of belonging and security, will participate in the community and feel that their contributions are valued. The values of the Village and its residents will reflect the mission statement of Providence Farm.

Providence Village – A Place to Call Home

Providence Farm has a history of creating opportunities for people to learn and grow together in community. It is intended that Providence Village will continue this vision of creating new beginnings for a wide range of individuals and families.

It is planned that this new community will live lightly on the land; the existing trails and forested beauty will continue to be available for all to enjoy. Roadways will be minimized; walking and handicapped access trails will be a priority.

Village residents will be encouraged to take part in the care and management of this beautiful setting and when appropriate, take part in activities and events central to Providence Farm.

This is a joint opportunity for Providence Farm and Providence Village to collectively improve the physical resources of the Farm as a whole and to increase economic opportunities with the larger community through improved outlets for the Farm’s products, such as Nursery produce, crafts and other items. It is anticipated that the creation of a new Farm store and a space to include a bakery and coffee shop, will provide additional training and employment opportunities for people.

The development of Providence Village will provide an opportunity for the wider community to be involved in Providence Farm. The spirit and faith that has guided and inspired the Farm for the past 30 years will be our beacon of hope and inspiration for this new challenge.

Vancouver Island Providence Community Association, (Providence Farm) and the Providence Village Housing Society, (Providence Village) are very grateful to the Sisters of St. Ann for their generous gift of an estimated 400 acres of land, known as Providence Farm. The Sisters of St. Ann have a long history in the Cowichan Valley. Click here to read about the history of the Farm and the first “living on-site community”.

SAGC Plant Sale

Great deals!

Thanks for all your support this year! We look forward to seeing you at next years sale in April 2014.

This fundraiser for St. Ann’s Garden Club takes place outside in St. Ann’s Garden. You’ll find Farm raised and donated plants for sale as well as garden products made by the seniors. Enjoy some farm baking and a coffee while you wander the garden paths.