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Community Shared Agriculture Project...

Did you know that despite being the bread basket of the world, Saskatchewan still imports most of its fruits and vegetables? This unnecessary practice leads to poorer quality food for Saskatchewan residents, an excessive amount of energy use for food transportation, and less money cycling within our Saskatchewan economy. To demonstrate an alternative to this food system, Earthkeepers students are starting their first Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) project. CSA programs link producers closely with the consumers in a unique way. Typically, producers select what to grow and try to sell as much as they can at the best price possible. They invest a lot of money, planning, and labour throughout the growing season and only get paid at the end. The producer bears all of the risks of disease and extreme weather and may or may not be able to sell the product when it is ready. Because it is so difficult to accurately time the product readiness with the market demands, much food is wasted in this model of production. The producer has to charge more for each product to account for this waste. In the CSA model of production, consumers pay up front for a CSA membership and are able to give their input about what products they would like to receive. They are then delivered a selection of products regularly based on what crops are available at each point in the year.

Earthkeepers studentw will be growing their crops for their CSA project in a greenhouse year round to ensure a regular supply of products for their members. They will also supplement their CSA bins with baking and hand made items throughout the year.

Community Garden...

In an effort to produce more of their own food locally, students have designed and maintained a garden on site at Aden Bowman Collegiate. The garden currently includes 9 raised beds used for annual vegetable production and two large perennial beds have been laid out as the start of a bountiful food forest.

Sustainable Design Expo...

The decision of city council to build a new art gallery on the Riverlanding site leaves the valued Mendel Art Gallery without purpose and presents urban planners and architects with a number of important questions. How can the building be renewed to serve the public in its next phase of life? How can it contribute to the revitalization of the aging Kinsmen Park? How can it be used as landmark to inspire a transition to a more sustainable future for the city of Saskatoon?

Earthkeepers students consider these questions as they worked with field experts to creative their own vision for the future of the Mendal Art Gallery. On March 31st, 2011 students presented their proposals for the adaptive redesign and reuse of the building. The Expo was open to students during the day and formal presentations took place in the evening for the public.

Youth in Action Concert...

On Thursday, January 14th, 2010 Earthkeepers students hosted the Youth in Action Concert at Aden Bowman's Castle Theatre. A great line up of local bands and musicians entertained the put on a wonderful show and together over $3400 was raised in support of CHEP.

Earthkeepers Mural...

One of big projects in 2009 was the design of an Earthkeepers mural. Students initially intended to hang the 8 foot by 8 foot mural outside in the garden but they now that they did such a great job it is too nice to sacrifice to the natural elements. The mural will soon find a home within the walls of Aden Bowman Collegiate.