Read about what is happening with the Harvest Hastings project by clicking on image or the attachment.

The Dietitians of Canada’s Current Issues The Inside Story January 2010 looks at the concept of the 100 Mile Diet, eating locally produced foods, that is inspiring to many people. Some claim following a diet of foods raised and produced within closer proximity to their home provides a way to eat more nutritious and safer food while helping the environment and supporting the local economy. Strengthening our capacity to sustain our communities through local agriculture enables a sustainable system.

This Current Issue focuses on the following aspects of the 100 Mile Diet: Are locally produced foods more nutritious? Are locally produced foods safer? How do locally produced foods compare in cost with foods imported from longer distances?

The Dietitians of Canada Current Issues The Inside Story is about organic food focusing on the nutritional quality of organic food and its safety with respect to microbial contamination.

The Municipality of Tweed’s Community Development Committee (CDC) wants local residents and organizations to know that the draft of the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) has been released for review and comment. The document is available for download: printed copies are also available from the Municipality of Tweed and at a number of locations throughout the Municipality. There are public meetings planned for Thursday, February 18 at Tweed White Building 7-9 p.m., Monday, February 22 at Marlbank St. Matthews Anglican Church Hall 7-9 p.m., and on Thursday, February 25, 7-9 p.m. at Queensborough Community Centre.

NOD Apiary Products Ltd., Frankford, Ontario, has developed a new, versatile form of treatment for the varroa mite in honey bee colonies.

Introductory Beekeeping This beekeeping workshop consists of classroom sessions and hands-on lessons in the bee yard. Participants of all experience levels are welcome. Topics include basic honey bee biology, beekeeping equipment, working in the bee colony, seasonal beekeeper responsibilities, harvesting and extracting honey and preparing bee colonies for winter. Each participant will receive a copy of the Ontario Beekeeping Manual.

By Nathan Stevens January 15, 2010

Many of Ontario’s farm leaders believe that there is the need for a long-term food strategy, which would raise the profile of farmers in the eyes of government and the public. The British Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) recently published a food security strategy that is meant to act as the strategic policy guide through to the year 2030. This strategy, despite how it’s perceived, could serve as a great starting point for further discussions in Ontario.

Along with several local food producers, B & B establishments, restaurants, bakeries, distributors, chefs, academics and all those who work for responsible and sustainable food production, Wholearth Farmstudio would like to invite you to help us form a new Slow Food convivium (chapter) for Northumberland County.

Belleville - Tourism operators, attractions and event organizers across Hastings County’s fourteen member municipalities have until January 22 to return their completed survey to the Premier-ranked Tourist Destinations Project. Several hundred surveys were mailed to tourism stakeholders in early December and an online version has been posted at premierranked.com

January 6, 2010 Quinte Conservation is using the Internet to get the word out on species at risk in our area. Each month the Quinte Conservation website will feature a different species at risk. January’s featured species is the Southern Flying Squirrel.