October 2019 Farm Notes

FRIENDS OF THE CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM

Farm Notes - October 2019

Fall Newsletter

Now available on our website


	Buttonbush flowers. Photo by Robert Glendinning.

James Fletcher supervised the planting of the first trees in the Arboretum 130 years ago this fall. In our fall newsletter, Robert Glendinning highlights some of his favourite new trees recently planted there. Eric Jones meets up with some "O ld F riends of the Farm" there , including some of the original trees planted in 1899. Diane McClymont Peace describes some special trees at the Farm that might work for the homeowner . Owen Clarkin reports on a couple of the fascinating Arboretum tours of 2019.

Volunteers began helping in the Ornamental Gardens 30 years ago and they continue to enjoy their beautiful workplaces - p hotos show some of the Arboretum and Gardens teams in action. Joan Butcher introduces Ben Pascolo-Neveu, who became involved with the Friends of the Farm as a student and 13 years later continues to volunteer.

W e also remember Eric Moore, who led the Friends of the Farm as President from 1997 to 2004, years which marked changing times for the C entral E xperimental F arm and the Friends.

FCEF Office Manager Position Available

Part time position - 15 hours/week

The Office Manger deals with operations of the Friends under the direction of the Board: is the face of the Friends interacting with the public, volunteers and Board members, providing technical support, and managing the office. Strong competency with computers and applications is essential. All details can be found on the Friends' website.

Used Book Drop-off

Saturday October 19, 2019 from 10am to 3pm

De-cluttering? Re-gifting? Moving? It's time to box up and pass along your used books for a good cause. Many of you have been doing this all year long. Thanks for saving your used books - now mark your calendar!

The Friends' Used Book Drop-off takes place Saturday October 19 from 10am to 3pm. Our eager volunteers will happily unload your boxes and bags of books. Please note we do not accept magazines, textbooks or encyclopedias.

The drive up and drop-off location is Building 72 just east of the Prince of Wales roundabout. Used books collected will be sold at our annual Used Book Sale in June 2020. Check our 2020 calendar after January 1 for exact dates.

Please be respectful of AAFC property and resist dropping off books at any other time of year. Thanks for your support!

Guided Shelterbelt Tree Tour

Explore this urban gem

October 20, 2019 at 2pm Nature vs City at the Shelterbelt. The Shelterbelt project has planted many trees along Merivale Road between the research fields and the western boundary of the Farm. These trees must resist all kinds of extremes to succeed in a challenging environment. Find out how these trees have fared with tour leader Roman Popadiouk. Although the tours are free and open to the public, please register in advance .

Meet at the Shelterbelt between Merivale Rd and McCooey Lane. Parking is not available at the Shelterbelt. We suggest side streets across from the Shelterbelt entrance, west of Merivale Rd. The tours are free but d onations to the Friends of the Farm are gratefully accepted during the tour.

Annual Non-dinner Event

Popular annual fundraiser ends December 31

Please join the Friends for our Annual Non-dinner Event happening right now.

Not a single person will show up and we will be delighted!

You can help the Friends of the Farm just by staying at home.

By purchasing tickets to this fundraising event that will never take place, you will help the Friends sponsor numerous activities in support of the Ornamental Gardens and the Arboretum on the Central Experimental Farm.

Individual seats $25 Couples $50 Family $100 Table of Six $250 Community $500

Your support is greatly appreciated and your donation is tax deductible.

You can contribute by using our online fillable form for cheques or PayPal

at Annual Non-dinner or Non-souper annuel.

The fundraiser ends December 31, 2019.

Celebration Benches

A New Opportunity in the Arboretum

The Friends of the Farm have begun a celebration bench program in the Farm's beautiful Arboretum .With a payment of $7,000, a person or group of persons can purchase elegant dedication plaques attached to benches placed in select areas around the Arboretum. The plaques would remain in place for 10 years, with an option to renew.

The Friends are very pleased to report that all three benches available this year were quickly applied for by donors. The Friends plan to continue the program and additional benches will be installed in 2020. The deadline to purchase a dedication plaque for these 2020 benches is December 15, 2019.

Further information may be found on the Friends' website or obtained from the Friends' office.

Blooms for your Garden

For the Love of Trees companion book

Friends of the Farm presents Blooms, a book about the Central Experimental Farm's Ornamental Gardens, the heritage plants in the Gardens, and the fascinating stories behind their creation.

By local author, Richard Hinchcliff, this book makes a great gift. Cost is $35 plus GST. Take a peek inside for a preview.

How do you get a copy? Come to the Friends office in Building 72 weekdays Monday to Thursday from 9am to 2pm and purchase with cash, cheque, or credit and take it home! Or purchase it online on our website with a credit card and pick up at the Friends' office in Building 72 or have it shipped to a location of your choice .

This book is one in a set of important works, also available for purchase in the Boutique for $25 each plus GST: For the Love of Trees and also Ottawa's Farm. Need more information? Call 613-230-3276 or e mail [email protected].

New Selection of Photo Cards

Featuring Winter Scenes

The Friends have a new selection of 6 greeting cards with images from Ottawa's Central

Experimental Farm featuring beautiful winter scenes by Richard Hinchcliff, author of "Blooms." Various scenes depict the Arboretum, the Farm and some of the historic Farm buildings . The cards are $4 each or $20 for 6 and are only available to purchase at Bldg 72 Monday to Wednesday from 9am to 2pm. Please call the office first to confirm that we are staffed, 613-230-3276.

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 Sherry Eliot , 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.