Speakers & Events
Island Grains workshops are comprehensive and interactive, and are geared for all experience levels. Whether you've never gardened or you've been farming for 30 years, we can help you learn how to grow grains on a small scale.
For more information, please contact us.
2010 Mini-Workshops
We will be presenting a 1-hour seminar on how to grow your own grains at Victoria's Seedy Saturday on Saturday, February 20, 2010. Our 1 hour talk starts at 12:45pm in the Colwood Room (Victoria Conference Centre) and is called: "Grow Your Own Pancakes: Organic grains on a small scale." You can also visit our booth to buy seed and talk about grain adventures.
2010 CSA Workshop Series
Our 2010 workshops will likely be limited to our CSA participants.
Sowing and growing workshop: mid to late April (TBD based on weather)
Cooking with whole grains: early June
First Threshing: late July (TBD based on weather)
Second Threshing: late August (TBD based on weather)
Spring 2009 Workshop Series
This series is now completed. Please consider registering in our 2010 CSA and workshop series.
Sunday, March 8, 2009: Introduction to Grains
Dan Jason, Helen Reid and Robert Giardino visit us to inspire and educate about the different kinds of grains and their varied uses.
DAN JASON: This local seed guru has a special affection for small-scale grains. Dan is the founder of Salt Spring Seeds and the Seed & Plant Sanctuary for Canada.
ROBERT GIARDINO: Robert is the Executive Director of the Heritage Grains Foundation, as well as the founder of Lilikoi Specialty Foods, an importer and distributor specializing in heritage, organic, GMO-free products.
HELEN REID: Helen has been growing, processing and eating quinoa in the Cowichan Valley for eight years.
*Special thanks to the Corfield Cafe and the Community Farm Store for providing lunch for our speakers!
Sunday, April 19: Grain Planting Party!
Mike Doehnel and Tom Henry come up from the Saanich Peninsula to motivate us with tales of their own grain-growing (and beer brewing!) adventures. Bring your friends and family and sow your oats. Or wheat, whatever.
MIKE DOEHNEL: A presenter of backyard grains workshops, Mike's already done trials of different grains here on the Island. He's also a great resource for anyone interested in homebrew.
TOM HENRY: This rambunctious grain farmer is also the editor of Small Farm Canada magazine.
Sunday, June 28, 2009: Cooking with Whole Grains
Katharina Gustavs visits us, armed with knowledge and a really great cookbook. Learn what you can do in your own kitchen, and welcome whole grains into your diet.
KATHARINA GUSTAVS: Author of Super Breakfast Cereals, Katharina is a certified building biology environmental consultant.
August 2009: Harvest Party & Thresh-Fest 2009
Bring your crew and reap what you've sown. Try your hand at scything and learn some low-tech threshing techniques. Swap whole-grain recipes and reminisce about your grain growing days.