Friends of the Central Experimental Farm
Farm Notes - December 2020
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Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!
Joyeux Noël, Joyeuse fêtes!
And all the best in 2021! Bonne et heureuse année!
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May the joy of the season be with all our members, volunteers, donors, supporters, and stakeholders. From the entire Board of Directors, we wish you a
Happy Holiday and a healthy New Year!
À l'ensemble de nos membres, bénévoles, supporteurs et intervenants, nous offrons nos vœux que la paix du temps des fêtes règne dans vos cœurs.
Les membres du conseil d'administration vous font part de leurs souhaits également que vous passiez un heureux temps des fêtes et que vous jouissiez
d'une excellente santé tout au long de 2020.
Friends of the Central Experimental Farm will be closed on Thursday, December 24, 2020, and will reopen on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
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See our Stunning Winter Greeting Cards
Visit our online Boutique to get yours!
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Please note: Shipping is available, but you can also pickup at a location near the Farm. Arrangements for pickup can be made by emailing info@friendsofthefarm.ca.
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Our Annual Non-Dinner is Served
Join us!
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We're all missing those cozy nights out in our favourite restaurants with family and friends, and wondering when we'll ever be able to enjoy those simple pleasures again. There's no question -- it's a huge disappointment.
This year, consider donating to Friends of the Farm's Non-dinner Event what you might have spent in your favourite eateries throughout the year.
It's so easy! You can help the Friends of the Farm just by continuing to cocoon at home with a nice meal and your favourite holiday beverage.
By purchasing tickets to this fundraising gala that will never take place, you help the Friends sponsor numerous activities in support of the Ornamental Gardens and Dominion Arboretum on the Central Experimental Farm through 2021 and beyond.
Your support is greatly appreciated and your donation is tax deductible.
Individual seats $25 ~ Couples $50 ~ Family $100 ~ Table of Six $250 ~ Community $500
This fundraiser ends December 31, 2020.
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Oh, How We Love our Volunteers!
And here's to brighter days ahead
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By now it's almost cliche to say that 2020 has been an extraordinary year, but despite the challenges and disruption, one thing hasn't changed: Our volunteers are still the fuel that powers our activities.
Our Board of Directors extend their heartfelt appreciation to the people who give so much time and imagination, rain or shine, to keep the Ornamental Gardens and Arboretum gardens thriving and beautiful, and, in normal times, who plan and execute our many activities and events. Here's to meeting again in 2021!
Thanks as well to our members, donors, AAFC staff, and other stakeholders who contribute immeasurably to our success.
For more about our volunteers and activities, visit our Volunteer webpage. |
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Our Celebration Bench Program Grows
A chance to rest and reflect in the Arboretum
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One of our key objectives at Friends of the Central Experimental Farm (FCEF) is to make the Dominion Arboretum, established in 1889, as enjoyable and welcoming a place as possible for everyone. To this end, FCEF initiated the Celebration Bench Program in 2019 by purchasing exceptional quality benches for installation in the Arboretum and developing a program that includes dedication plaques for the benches for a period of 10 years. The benches promote rest and reflection by providing comfortable and attractive seating at selected sites throughout, and donor plaques create special meaning for families and friends as a way to celebrate the lives of loved ones.
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As the Celebration Benches become a familiar and welcoming part of the Arboretum, these strategically placed, permanent, year-round seats with donor plaques will offer comfort and enjoyment to people of all ages.
The Celebration Bench program in the Arboretum is a long-lasting and long-term extension of the now discontinued donor tree plaque program in the Arboretum and of the Merivale Shelterbelt dedication wall program. Please note that bench application forms will be accepted until December 15, 2020.
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New Ottawa Hospital Update |
The Ottawa Hospital’s project to build a new state-of-the-art hospital at the northeast corner of the Central Experimental Farm is reported to be proceeding quickly despite coronavirus challenges.
The project is currently in Stage 2, in which the type of hospital programming, square footage allotment, and the high-level architecture and design is outlined. To be completed in early 2021, Stage 2 will include a detailed breakdown of each clinical and research program, including space requirements, which programs need to be adjacent to which others, the business plan, and operational budgets.
A new project advisory team, Graham Bird Associates, has been appointed to manage all aspects of the project. Preliminary estimates are for a Phase 1 hospital covering a little more than 2 million square feet in area and costing over $2 billion, to be completed by 2028. The long-range plan is to double that area (and cost) over the following two decades.
The Friends of the Farm are represented on a Campus Engagement Group that was set up by the hospital to review plans and provide input from stakeholder groups.
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Holiday Fundraiser for FCEF
Thanks to Sweetlife Flora and
By Carrie Created!
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We're delighted that Friends of the Farm has been chosen as one of two not-for-profits to benefit from a December holiday fundraiser from Sweetlife Flora and By Carrie Created.
Kristin Topping of Sweetlife Flora, an Ottawa-based business that sells plants, writes that she and her sister Carrie Topping would like to promote our efforts and “raise awareness for the great work you do.... I know that sometimes it can be hard to raise money for green space initiatives.”
We thank Kristin and Carrie from the bottom of our hearts!
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Give the Gift of Membership!
Join our mission to protect and preserve the Farm
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The future of the Farm as we know it is now more important than ever. Over the past number of years, budgetary constraints have placed continued pressure on research projects and jobs, and while core research areas remain, the Farm lands, Dominion Arboretum, Ornamental Gardens, and historical buildings still need constant care and protection.
Join the Friends of the Farm to help influence decision-makers to preserve the integrity of this cherished National Historic Site and its exceptional setting in the heart of Ottawa.
Once lost, this jewel in the crown of Canada's capital city cannot be replaced.
By becoming a member today, you support the Friends' mission to bring the Arboretum and Ornamental Gardens to their full potential. Membership benefits include our beautiful and informative quarterly newsletter (by mail or email), discounts at some Ottawa-area nurseries, discounted events, and free admission for one adult member of a family to the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum!
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Winter Road Closures at the Farm
See you next spring!
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The following roads at the CEF are now closed to vehicle traffic for the winter:
· McCooey Lane from Merivale Road to Ash Lane
· Ash Lane from McCooey Lane to the NCC Driveway
These road closures are implemented to reduce the possibility of unsafe road conditions in the winter and reduce the impact of traction aids (salt) on the Farm's fields.
The roads will reopen to traffic in April 2021.
Maps showing road closures and which paths are maintained for pedestrians are available by emailing info@friendsofthefarm.ca. |
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We're So Social!
Stay in touch this winter
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Now more than ever we're active on social media promoting Friends activities, events, and gift ideas. Follow us for helpful gardening tips, awe-inspiring garden photos, recipes, DIY projects, general information about the goings on at the Farm, the Ornamental Gardens, and the Arboretum, and so much more. You can see what we're up to by liking our Facebook page or catching our tweets.
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FCEF Membership has Even More Benefits!
Now you can support the Friends and local plant vendors too
We are pleased to announce the following nurseries are offering discounts to our Friends of the Farm members.
Thank you for supporting these local businesses!
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Since 1987, Whitehouse Perennials, located at 594 Rae Road in Almonte, ON, has been a destination for Ottawa-area gardeners. Whitehouse Perennials is offering a 10% *discount on all regularly priced plant materials at their nursery location upon presentation of a **valid FCEF membership card.
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Beaux Arbres Native Plants specializes in plants native to the Ottawa Valley, and garden-worthy wildflowers from eastern North America. Beaux Arbres welcomes all current members of the Friends of the Farm to their location at 29 Ragged Chute Rd, Bristol, QC, and is offering a 10% *discount on Farm Sales only upon presentation of a **valid FCEF membership card.
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Established in 1994, Stoneridge Gardens and Nursery is a family-owned and operated nursery located at 1851 Galbraith Rd RR 2 in Clayton, ON (near MIddleville). Stoneridge Gardens is offering a 10% *discount to all FCEF members upon presentation of a **valid FCEF membership card.
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*Some restrictions may apply.
Due to Covid-19, please call first or visit these nurseries' websites as interprovincial travel restrictions for certain members may be in place.
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Farm Spotlight
Shining a light on the people who keep us growing
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For many years we've highlighted a different volunteer in our monthly issue of Farm Notes, but this month we introduce one of the other talented and committed people who make our work at the Farm possible. We invite you to visit our website to meet Pierre Huppé, AAFC's retiring chief of grounds maintenance at the Central Experimental Farm.
Previous spotlights are also listed. Every individual has an interesting story to tell and a unique connection and commitment to the Farm. Their efforts are greatly appreciated by the entire community and we thank them!
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Members and Supporters
We welcome your comments and suggestions on articles, events, activities, and more.
or call us at 613-230-3276.
Charitable number 118913565RR0001
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Stay Connected
Friends of the Central Experimental Farm | 613-230-3276 | Building 72, Arboretum, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0C6 | www.friendsofthefarm.ca
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