April Events: GMO and the Right to Know; Plant and Seed Exchange; Third Saturday Square Dance and Teaming up with Labor Leaders

Quimper Grange Teams up 
            with Labor Leaders' Mentors and Youth 

Before "Labor Leaders" get to work Jacob and Jo survey the weeds

Jo Yount, Grange Garden manager, and Jacob Talamante,  founder and director of Labor Leaders, survey what needs to be done at the Grange Garden.  Watch for coming photos of what workers from Labor Leaders accomplish in the Grange Garden in one week!

Labor Leaders a non profit organization is teaming up with the Quimper Grange.  Watch our garden bloom this summer with the help of local young adults. Labor Leaders educates young people through good old fashioned hard work.  These days more than ever young people need guidance and direction and Labor Leaders provides mentors that lead through example and are good role models for our youth.  Come support Labor Leaders grand opening April 27^th, 12:00-5:00 at their new location 1531 Sims Rd, (the old Houston motors).  Food and beverages will be provided. See first hand Labor Leaders in action! Cash and tools donations will be greatly appreciated.

For more info about Labor Leaders visit their website: http://laborleadersnw.org/

Anne Marie Schaefer and Grizzle Grazzle for the Third Saturday Square Dance and Social

Caller Anne Marie Schaefer The Third Saturday (April 20th) Quimper Grange Square Dance and Social features Olympia caller Anne Marie Schaeffer with Cobbler (Jesse Partridge and Jay Finkelstein). Partners are not necessary, all dances will be taught; all experience levels are welcome. Dancing starts at 7:30.  Admission is $5.00 for adults, and free for those under 16.   See  ptcommunitydance.com   for more details.

April 13 (Saturday) Plant and Seed Exchange at Quimper Grange, 11-3:00

Bring plants. Take plants. Bring seeds. Take seeds. The second annual plant and seed exchange organized by Ashley Kehl and his partner Jennimae Hillyard will take place at Quimper Grange outdoors under canopies, or in the Grange hall if the weather requires. Ashley says “When my fiancé Jennimae and I got together a few years ago we discovered a mutual excitement for gardening and bartering which has led us down the path of lots of playing in the dirt, seed saving, food preservation and trading with friends.” 

Ashley grew up in a farming family and traveled with his father, Michael Pilarski to many agricultural sustainability and Permaculture festivals and events. His father hosted a plant and seed exchange for many years in Okanagan and was the main source of inspiration for the upcoming plant and seed exchange. 
   There will be many books on hand at the exchange to help answer plant and seed questions and Mountain Spirit Herbals will be providing hot tea. For more information call: Ashley Kehl at 360-821-2092.

Ashley Kehl and Marla Streator

“TAMPERING WITH NATURE AND OUR RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT WE ARE EATING”, about GMO Salmon

Risks of genetic engineering of salmon will be the main topic of Anne Mosness’ program at Quimper Grange on Monday, April 1st. Anne has spent many years as captain of salmon fishing boats and comes from a commercial fishing family. She is a long time advocate for wild fish, healthy coastal ecosystems and economies. Her background includes representing wild fisheries at the UN Forum for Food Sovereignty, Slow Fish, Slow Food and organizing Blue Festival educational events.
When the genes of unrelated species of fish are combined it is possible to them to grow bigger and faster however there has not been adequate research on human health risks, the environment, or impacts on traditional food producers and businesses. If a GE salmon patent is granted it will open the floodgates for patenting other species of transgenic fish. Several laws and regulations currently being considered are very important and will be discussed at the Grange program.
Anne will talk about the potential for pollution of the gene pool and how open cages have proven incapable of confining farmed fish which could have dire consequences in the in the marine environment. 
In 2006 Quimper Grange authored a resolution in support of labeling genetically engineered organisms that was adopted as Washington State Grange’s policy position. Now, in light of impending legislation Quimper Grange reiterates its support of labeling genetically engineered foods and presents the public with an opportunity to learn about current and urgent genetic engineering issues. Quimper Grange, 1219 Corona Street (at the N. end of Sheridan). Doors open at 7:00 for socializing (potluck finger foods encouraged). Suggested donation $5-10 Program starts at 7:30 for more information call Marla Streator at 385-6924.
Marla Streator

March Program, " Gardening Near the Salish Sea" Well Attended

Our second program of the year was presented by Marko Colby and Hanako Meyers of Midori Farm and based on their book "Vegetable by Vegetable, a Guide to Gardening Near the Salish Sea".

Here is some of what was discussed: Hybrid seeds (F-1) are mostly corporate controlled and more expensive but also more vigorous; Heirloom seeds which are popularly touted as being ”better” are not always in our climate. There are lots of “bad” heirloom seeds. For example in Port Townsend most heirloom tomatoes need to be grown in a greenhouse the exception being heirloom tomatoes from Russia. “ Glacier” is one of Marko and Hanako’s favorite varieties”; GMO seeds are very rarely if ever sold for home garden use although it is possible that there are low levels of cross contamination that could end up in organic seed.
For those who could not attend the talk Marko and Hanako’s book “Vegetable by Vegetable” covers some of what was discussed and is available at the Coop, and local farmer’s markets. 
Thank you Marko and Hanako!
Marla Streator