28. July 2010 by David.

Our farm store is now open to the general public. Our certified biodynamic, organic vegetables are picked daily. Don’t miss your chance to feast on outstanding:

Carrots, Beets, Summer onions, Herbs, Cucumbers and more!!

Store Hours:

Monday to Friday: 1pm-7pm

Saturday: 8am-7pm

Posted in News & Events | 1 Comment »

25. July 2010 by David.

OTTAWA — George Street has reopened after a fire at the Courtyard Restaurant forced police to close a section at lunch time Thursday.

Staff and customers at the ByWard Market restaurant, at 21 George St., were forced out just before 12 p.m. when a fire broke out in the ventilation unit in the kitchen on the main floor.

Six employees were working at the time, one of whom suffered minor smoke inhalation. He was treated by paramedics at the scene, and not taken to hospital. There were no other reports of injury.

The fire was under control at about 12:23 p.m. It was contained to the ventilation area between the first and second floors of the restaurant. Ten customers were outside in the courtyard at the time.

The kitchen suffered smoke and some water damage. Fire spokesman Marc Messier estimated the damage at $250,000. It was not known how long the restaurant would be closed.

Twelve rigs and about 35 firefighters attended the scene. Dozens of people on their lunch breaks watched as firefighters cooled off under nearby trees.

The street was reopened shortly before 2 p.m.

© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Update+George+Street+reopened+after+fire+Courtyard+Restaurant/3309602/story.html#ixzz0uiRX1yrY

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19. June 2010 by David.

Position available: 1 summer intern
Type: Full-time with stipend & board
Language: Français et anglais
Duration: Now – September 30th
***********

Riverglen Farm is a certified biodynamic farm located in Ottawa’s Greenbelt. This 112 acre heritage site is located in the west end of the city, surrounded by Greenbelt forest and wetlands, on the banks of the Ottawa river. An assortment of vegetables are grown and sold to an 80 harvest-share CSA as well as restaurants and natural food stores. A flock of laying hens supply eggs and share manure production duties with a few cows, sheep and ducks.

Position description:

I am seeking a solid pair of arms and a clear mind to help with farm tasks this summer. Vegetable production, harvest and distribution will take up a good part of the time, but there are daily animal chores to share, as well as property maintenance tasks to carry out.

The typical workweek is Monday to Friday but it may change and evolve, depending on celestial rhythms and tasks needing to be accomplished. You are expected to be fed, dressed and ready for work by 8am on regular days and 7am on harvest days. The workday ends at 6pm or 5pm respectively, and we break for lunch between noon and 2pm. All crew-members are expected to take their turn preparing a common lunch for the rest of the crew.

In exchange for your commitment, a dedicated work attitude and an eagerness to learn, I offer a weekly stipend of $50 per week. The amount depends on prior experience and accommodation arrangements.

Accommodations:

Interns should be ready to tent it. A wooden platform will be provided to pitch your tent, and we can supply a tarp to add another layer of protection. Commuting from Ottawa is possible by car or bicycle.
A common kitchen in the barn is equipped with hot water, a stove, fridge, kettle, as well as dishes and cutlery. The barn kitchen has a kitchen table and chairs, and an assortment of couches and chairs can be found nearby. Picnic tables, porches, benches, hammocks and a beach can be found around the property.

A compost-toilet is in the works for 2010. In case this doesn’t happen, a chemical toilet will be provided. An enclosed outdoor shower(with hot water) is accessible at all times. Laundry, telephone and internet facilities are located in the farmhouse and can be used during specified times.

How to apply:

Write a few paragraphs about the reasons why you want to join the farm crew and what you feel you can bring to it. Send it along with any questions to: david.burnford@gmail.com

Posted in News & Events | 1 Comment »

19. June 2010 by David.

This is it. It has begun!

Pickup begins next week. Britannia, Westboro, Wellington and Centertown locations start Monday. Riverglen and Chipworks locations begin Thursday. Check your inbox for pickup details and send me an email if anything looks suspiscious!

And while you’re checking stuff out on the computer, check this out:

http://communities.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/omnivore/archive/2010/06/10/capricious-cuisine-at-courtyard-restaurant.aspx

Posted in News & Events | 1 Comment »

7. June 2010 by David.

Posted in News & Events | 1 Comment »

18. May 2010 by David.

Attention CSA members and all others wishing to get their hands dirty!

We are in full-on planting mode these days and I could use a few extra hands getting all our seedlings in the ground. If you can lend a hand sometime over the next two weeks, please send me an email or a phone call. Particularly, I am looking for help this afternoon, as well as Thursday and Sunday afternoons. Monday and Tuesday next week are also good days to come out. For all those trying to get on board, this is your chance to get your foot in the door!

*Thank you very much for your consideration

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3. May 2010 by David.

I would like to wish another warm welcome to Project Otesha, who are holding their Ferocious Farm Tour at Riverglen this week. Take the time to check out their website and come see the première this Sunday at St Paul’s University.

Ferocious Farm Tour Kick-Off Join us for an evening of celebration as Otesha’s first ever farm tour hits the road this Spring! Meet the team of cyclists and witness their first performance of Otesha’s play: Reason to Dream, before they head out to inspire audiences across Ontario. Sunday May 9th, 2010 at 7:00pm St. Paul’s University, Auditorium  233 Main St. Ottawa (Map) The show is free and all are welcome! For more info, contact info@otesha.ca

Posted in News & Events | 1 Comment »

3. March 2010 by David.

It appears that the province would like to hear from a variety of people - particularly people involved with farmer’s market operations, with regards to any changes taking place in the current egg regulations. Without reaction and encouragement to allow egg sales at market, they will not change a thing.  So please!  Write the province and convince them that it is just as safe to sell eggs from a market stall as it is from a farm gate.

**********************************************************************************************************

Proposed Egg Grading Regulation Under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001

OMAFRA proposes to develop an updated egg regulation under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001 (FSQA) to replace the current Regulation 724 - Eggs and Regulation 726 - Processed Egg under the Livestock and Livestock Products Act (LLPA). To minimize the food safety risk associated with the sale of ungraded eggs, the proposed regulation under the FSQA would continue to require grading of all eggs for sale in Ontario with the exception of those sold at the farm gate. Grading eggs ensures that cracked eggs, with a higher risk of Salmonella contamination, do not enter the human food chain without pasteurization. Grading or processing of eggs could only take place in federally registered egg grading and egg processing stations in accordance with the Egg Regulations and Processed Egg Regulations under CAPA.  Specific proposals include removing provincial requirements that are redundant in the federally inspected system; removing outdated requirements that no longer align with current industry practice; and retaining requirements related to food safety. There are some sections in both Regulations 724 and 726 that may or may not be useful to industry.

Please send written comments by March 5, 2010 to Mr. Patrick Thornton at patrick.thornton@ontario.ca or to 1 Stone Road West 2SW, Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2. Alternatively, comments may also be sent before March 5, 2010 to the notice of the Proposed Egg Regulation under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001 on the Regulatory Registry, under current proposals. Comments received as part of this consultation process may be summarized and shared with other stakeholders during the development of a proposed regulation. Your comments will be considered in regards to drafting any proposed regulation but they will not necessarily be included. More information can be found at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/policy/legislation/propeggreg.htmthe proposal to ensure we have a modern regulation for the fresh and processed egg sector that reduces barriers to innovation, reflects industry and government practices, and maintains food safety.

Mr Patrick Thornton,

I would like to thank OMAFRA for reaching out to the farming community in order to receive feedback on proposed changes to egg grading regulations.

I support OMAFRA’s efforts in creating a safe and efficient supply management system for commercial egg producers. However, I think the restrictions around the sale of eggs by smaller producers could be more flexible.

I believe small producers (under 100 birds) are perfectly capable of collecting eggs and selling them in a safe and hygienic manner. In addition to farmgate sales, we should be allowed to sell identified and sorted (although ungraded) eggs through a diversity of direct-marketing channels, including restaurants and farmer’s markets. It is a simple process to ensure clean bedding, daily egg collection, removal of cracked and deformed eggs, washing, and storage in a cool location.

The sale of eggs enables me to diversify my sources of income, cater to increasing demand for farm-fresh eggs, and financially support one important pillar of manure production for my vegetable gardens. Direct marketing is a simple, accessible and traceable sales method. Adequate support from OMAFRA will help take egg sales from under the table and make the whole process more enjoyable, profitable and safe.

Thank you,

David Burnford

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26. February 2010 by David.

Position available: 1 summer intern

Type: Full-time with stipend, room & board

Language: Français et anglais

Duration: May1st - October 31^st

Riverglen Farm is a certified biodynamic farm located in Ottawa’s Greenbelt. This 112 acre heritage site is located in the west end of the city, surrounded by Greenbelt forest and wetlands, on the banks of the Ottawa river. An assortment of vegetables are grown and sold to an 80 harvest-share CSA as well as restaurants and natural food stores. A flock of laying hens supply eggs and share manure production duties with a few cows, sheep and ducks.

Position description:

I am seeking a solid pair of arms and a clear mind to help with farm tasks this summer. Vegetable production, harvest and distribution will take up a good part of the time, but there are daily animal chores to share, as well as property maintenance tasks to carry out.

The typical workweek is Sunday to Thursday but it may change and evolve, depending on celestial rhythms and tasks needing to be accomplished. You are expected to be fed, dressed and ready for work by 8am on regular days and 7am on harvest days. The workday ends at 6pm or 5pm respectively, and we break for lunch between noon and 2pm. All crew-members are expected to take their turn preparing a common lunch for the rest of the crew.

In exchange for a commitment to a full season, a dedicated work attitude and an eagerness to learn, I offer a weekly stipend of $100 - $150 per week. The amount depends on prior experience and accommodation arrangements.

Accommodations:

Interns should be ready to tent it. A sturdy tent on a wooden platform will be provided, along with a mattress to keep you dry and comfortable. A spot in the trailer or a room in the farmhouse can be made available for the cooler months.

A common kitchen in the barn is equipped with hot water, a stove, fridge, kettle, as well as dishes and cutlery. The barn kitchen has a kitchen table and chairs, and an assortment of couches and chairs can be found nearby. Picnic tables, porches, benches, hammocks and a beach can be found around the property.

A compost-toilet is in the works for 2010. In case this doesn’t happen, a chemical toilet will be provided. An enclosed outdoor shower(with hot water) is accessible at all times. Laundry, telephone and internet facilities are located in the farmhouse and can be used during specified times.

How to apply:

Write a few paragraphs about the reasons why you want to join the farm crew and what you feel you can bring to it. Send it along with any questions to:

david.burnford@gmail.com

Posted in News & Events | 1 Comment »

18. January 2010 by David.

Registration for 2010 harvest-shares is now open! To reserve a harvest-share, please take the time to read over the membership package and send in the completed form, along with your deposit.

2010 Registration Package

You can find out more about Community Supported Agriculture at Riverglen Farm by reading up the relevant sections on the website. Past newsletters have been posted to the ‘Communication Archives’ section so you can get a feel of what members were doing and eating over the course of the year. Of course, you can also send me your questions by email and I will do my best to answer them.

I greatly appreciate your willingness to join our CSA. Thank you for your time and your positive energy!

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