Let's Trash Talk

I had coffee recently with Garry Nohr, Chair of the SCRD Board, it was during our discussion that he informed that the new contract for refuse (trash) collection had been signed with ...... Direct Disposal, well who would have guessed. SCRD along with the Town of Gibsons and the quaint village of Sechelt have collectively engaged our favorite trash guys for another two years but here is the best part you get to pay more for the privilege of having the exhaust spewing beast of a truck race down your street every week when you only put the trash out one a month. How much you say? Just a mere 11% ($42,000) and considering the rate of inflation was only 3.2% last year you should consider this a deal, your newly elected officials did. It should be noted that this is only for Areas B,C,D &E.

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Whoa! I'm legal

So I am continuing my journey of becoming a chicken farmer.  This is year 3 coming up.  I’ve discovered many things.  

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Greenomics, Leading the Way to Sustainability

Erich Schwartz is a Sunshine Coast revolutionary. He says we need social revolution with sustainability as the spearhead. His company, Greenomics, based in Gibsons, BC is helping to lead the way to sustainability.

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Zero Waste Lunch Served at the Lehigh Open House

 
At the recent Lehigh Open House in Sechelt, BC on Saturday, September 10, it was demonstrated that Zero Waste is achievable with a bit of education and "coaching". Working with the EcoSafe Zero Waste team, Lehigh Materials set up a recycle and compost area to serve their Zero Waste lunch. 

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Can a Small Business Achieve Zero Waste?

At the outset, partners in the Skookum 'Chuck Wagon concession trailer in Egmont wanted to try for Zero Waste. We were serving food from a concession trailer to visitors to the Skookumchuck Trail and the Egmont Heritage Centre. There were a number of factors to consider including a requirement by the health authorities that we use one-time-use foodwares and a concern for the local environment.

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Chicks again and new regulations

The last time I submitted an article I had figured out that going largish and getting a farm loan to build a barn to raise chickens and  vegetables was not my path nor was it financially smart.  Another element was looking for government grants and funding for new agricultural operations.

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The Turtle Babies Have Arrived!

Spring is the time of year when tiny Western Painted Turtle hatchlings emerge from their underground nests and head for nearby lakes and wetlands. Each tiny turtle baby is just the size of a loonie! The Sunshine Coast Wildlife Project is asking for your help in monitoring the baby turtles.

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Meat Regulations Hinder Small Farmers

I would like to take a moment and comment on a personal level concerning the meat regulations in general and how they pertain to me. For the past year or so I have been researching and deciphering the present meat regulations in BC and how can I work within the system.

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Community Food Hub - An Idea Whose Time Has Come

A Community Food Hub is an idea that is being proposed by the Food Action Network of the One Straw Society. A hub for the processing, storage and distribution of local food.would lend support to local farmers and food production here on the Sunshine Coast. The proposed facility will include a commercial kitchen, warehouse storage, space for workshops, meetings and farmer's markets.

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