Wednesday, March 25, 2009
'Going Local' Calendar
Food writer Lindsey Nair
- lindsey.nair@roanoke.com | (540) 981-3343
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Here's your (almost) comprehensive guide to the "Going Local" campaign. Be sure to register early for any event that interests you. For questions or to register, contact the Roanoke office of the Virginia Cooperative Extension at 772-7524.
April 1 -- Oct. 31: "Vegetables for Victory" garden challenge. Open to residents of Roanoke and Roanoke County. Registration costs $20 and includes a soil sample and materials. Prizes will be awarded after Oct. 31.
Grow-Your-Own workshop series
April 2:" Vegetable Garden Planning and Establishment," 9 to 11 a.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Fincastle Community Center.
April 25: "Perennials and Herbs," 9 to 9:30 a.m. and 11 to 11:30 a.m.; "Your Vegetable Garden," 10 to 10:30 a.m. and 12 to 12:30 p.m. Both workshops will be held at the extension office on Brambleton Avenue during the Roanoke Master Gardener Association's annual plant sale.
April 28: "Coexisting with Nuisance Wildlife," 6 to 8 p.m., Brambleton Center.
May 7: "Vegetable Garden Planning and Establishment," 6 to 8 p.m., location TBA.
May 16: "Rain Barrel Construction," 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Blue Ridge Public Library (supply fee applies)
June 6: "Understanding Soils and the Basics of Composting," 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Natural Science Center at Virginia Western Community College.
June 13: "Growing Summer Vegetables," 9 a.m.; "Making Herbal Vinegars for Cooking," 10 a.m.; "Review of Vegetable Garden Pests and their Remedies," 11 a.m. Part of the "Songs and Salad" competition at the Vinton Farmers Market.
July 4: "Companion Planting," 9 to 9:30 a.m., Salem Farmers Market.
July 18: "Planting in Difficult Areas," 9 to 9:30 a.m., Salem Farmers Market.
July 25: "Vermicomposting," 9 to 9:30 a.m., Salem Farmers Market.
Aug. 14: "Fall Vegetable Gardening and Overview of Food Preservation." Taste of Roanoke Valley Food Expo, Botetourt Sports Complex, Greenfield Center. Times TBA.
Sept. 24: "Extending the Garden Harvest," 6-8 p.m. Location TBA.
"Farming on a Few Acres" -- Aimed at encouraging a new generation of farmers in the Roanoke Valley. Meetings run for five consecutive Monday nights beginning Oct. 5 and ending Nov. 2. Times and locations TBA.
Food Preservation Workshops
Cost: $5 per person, per class
May 29: "Jams and Jellies," 6 to 8 p.m., Brambleton Center.
July 11: "Food Preservation," 9 to 9:30 a.m., Salem Farmers Market.
June 18: "Hot Water Bath and Pressure Canning," 6 to 8 p.m., Brambleton Center.
July 30: "Freezing and Drying," 6 to 8 p.m., Brambleton Center.
Sept. 17: "Hot Water Bath and Pressure Canning," 6 to 8 p.m., Brambleton Center.
June -- August: Eat Fresh Eat Local Food Challenge. Get challenge cards online or at local markets, then buy local products for a chance to win monthly door prizes.
Aug. 14: Taste of the Roanoke Valley Food Expo -- Come out and meet your local farmers, see their wares and sample some of their products during cooking demonstrations and tastings with chefs and culinary students. In cooperation with Craig, Botetourt and Alleghany counties.
Fieldside Chats -- Farmers only. Times and locations TBA. Call Sheri Dorn at 772-7524 for more information.
Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension
