March 2019 Farm Notes

FRIENDS OF THE CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM

Farm Notes - March 2019

Only 19 more days until the First Day of Spring

Volunteer Orientation

Help us make a difference! It's time to think about the glorious days of spring and getting out into the garden. What better way to enjoy nature, fresh air, exercise, plant life and contribute to the beauty of the Farm than to join one of the Friends' Garden Teams (such as the Macoun Memorial Garden Team in the photo). Go to our Volunteer activities page for more info on garden team days, times and tasks.

For those interested in volunteering for gardens and events, join us for a free Volunteer Orientation on Saturday April 6 at 9:30am in Bldg 72 on the Arboretum. For those who are unable to attend the orientation, our 2019 enrollment and waiver Volunteer form will soon be available to download .

2019 Annual General Meeting

Wednesday April 17 from 7pm to 9pm

This year's Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday April 18 from 7pm to 9pm. The AGM will begin with a short business meeting followed by a guest speaker. The meeting and presentation will take place in the K.W. Neatby Building at 960 Carling Avenue and Maple Drive on the Central Experimental Farm. Free parking is available in the lot east of the building.

Our speaker will be Michael Runtz, a dynamic communicator on TV, radio, in the lecture hall and classroom. He has worked as a naturalist in national and provincial parks, and now teaches natural history and ornithology at Carleton University. His topic is "The Flora and Fauna of Algonquin Park."

To register for this free event , email [email protected] or call 613-230-3276.

Master Gardener Lectures

The tradition continues


	Photo by Judith Cox

Every year the Friends partner with the Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton to offer timely and informative presentations. This year's Tuesday night lectures include:

April 2 Savvy Choices for Spring

with Mary Shearman Reid and Stephanie Sleeth

April 16 The Art of Rock Gardening
with Josie Pazdzior and Rob Stuart

April 30 Trees and Shurbs- The Backbones of your Garden
with Diane McClymont Peace

May 14 Kitchen Gardens
with Judith Cox

September 10 Cooking with Edible Flowers with Nancy McDonald

All presentations are from 7pm to 9pm in Building 72 just east of the Prince of Wales roundabout with free parking. Lectures can be purchased individually $12 members and $15 non-members or as a series: $50 Member or $60 Non-Member.

For more information email [email protected] or call 613-230-3276

Peony Lecture

The Peonies of A.P. Saunders, t he son of the first director of the Central Experimental Farm (CEF), Arthur Percy Saunders introduced some marvelous peonies, a good number of which are currently in the display beds at the CEF. To learn more about Peonies and their history please join Blaine Marchard on Tuesday June 4th from 7pm-9pm. For more information please visit our events webpage.

Volunteer Spotlight

Over 10,000 hours donated each year

Did you know that Friends' volunteers donate over 10,000 hours every year to support its mission and activities? Every month a different volunteer is highlighted on the Friends website. We invite you to read the stories of our volunteers such as Caroline O'Connor , our Volunteer of the Month.

Previous spotlights are also listed. Each volunteer has an interesting story to tell and a unique connection and commitment to the Farm. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by the entire community! Thank you.