The Tilsons

Suzanne and Dominique of Rocky Mountain Flatbread threw a media event today to promote Feast of Fields. Feast of Fields brings farmers and chefs together at three different events each summer including Vancouver, Whistler and Vancouver Island.

The morning event included some delicious dessert like pizza featuring toppings from our garden and two other urban farmers: Ward of City Farm Boy and Craig of Kitsilano Farms. Fresh fig with blackberry or fig with apple and a bit of cinnamon are incredible! The figs were so good I plan to go buy a Desert King fig tree tomorrow. It was a great event with many passionate and committed folks in the room. I was able to connect with some allies who may be able to help get Vancouver’s bylaw (9150) changed that prohibits keeping chickens in the city.

Numerous media folks attended the pizza tasting including the daily newspaper 24 Hours. 24 Hours wanted to snap a few shots in the garden for a short story so I gladly jumped on the opportunity to give the urban farming movement a little exposure. I got page 3, right across from from Kate Moss and some other celebs. Sadly, no calls from Oprah or Martha yet. The article, like the attention span of the intended audience of urban commuters, is short but carries a positive tone. Maybe a few more people will make the connection and realize just how nourishing urban gardening can be.

My good friend Jyoti Stephens recently wrote an article for Shared Vision about locavorism, featuring none other than me (!) and some tips on finding a way to get started growing your own. I don’t know that guru status is warranted just yet but its certainly encouragement to step up.

The picture above is one tray of plants started from seed and grown indoors until they are large enough to stand up to outside life. It includes a mix of salad greens, 3 types of tomatoes and leeks.