This July, the A Rocha Brooksdale Environmental Centre hosted our second Earthkeeping Institute. This time around the theme was everything to do with FOOD! Guest speakers included Kent Mullinix, who gave a truly first-class summary of global food systems and the blessings and brokenness this has brought the world. Brent Mansfield spoke about the explosion of the food movement in Vancouver as well as some exciting initiatives being adopted by the city of Vancouver itself.
This video has footage from the event and describes our Environmental Education work.
Over the four-day institute participants were introduced to local practitioners, including the farmers at Kingfisher Farm and Hazelmere Organic Farm and the owner of a local winery, Vista D’Oro. Hearing first-hand what drives these people – clearly something deeper than market values or profits – was inspiring and generated a real gratitude for the work of farmers and a desire to support them better.
Of course a conference centered on food had to include great meals made from ingredients straight from the A Rocha gardens! A particularly wonderful dinner included 38 pizzas made in our own wood-fired cob oven.
Our next institute will be held this fall. Visit arocha.ca/earthkeeping to learn more and register.
