Happy New Year, everyone! It’s the perfect time of year to start thinking about rebirth and renewal, and seeds!

Bill C-18 is currently before the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee. According to the National Farmers Union, “If passed, it will give multi-national agri-business much more money and control while increasing farmers’ costs and reducing farmers’ autonomy and Canadian sovereignty.”

Exercise your right to save seed. Join us at this year’s Seedy Saturday on February 14th from 10:00am-3:00pm at the Farmers’ Institute on Salt Spring. This is a non-profit grassroots event that provides an opportunity for gardeners, seed companies and nurseries to exchange seeds and ideas.

The main hall will be full of tables from seed suppliers, nurseries, local farms, community organizations and other garden-related product vendors. There will also be local food vendors offering their wares. The main attraction is the seed exchange, where you can swap and share regionally-adapted seeds and help ensure genetic diversity. There will also be a roster of presentations from gardening experts. This year’s program includes many workshops. There are other events throughout the weekend.

This year, the food program is again organizing a group of local residents to travel to Salt Spring together to take part in the event. We will boat over from Retreat Cove and then take a taxi to the venue. Total cost for roundtrip transportation and event admission will be about $25. If you’re interested, please contact Emma at galianofoodprograms@gmail.com or at 539.2175. Make sure you do a personal seed inventory beforehand.

And don’t miss the Galiano Garden Club’s Annual Seed Exchange! Feb 11th 2:00-4:00pm at the North Hall.