Great information was shared!
Thanks to all who braved the snow and ice and made the 24th Annual Community Garden potluck a huge success!
Over 130 tougher-than-nails gardeners, vendors and resource providers came together and got their green thumbs revved up for the growing season.
It was great to see many new community gardens take out Associate Memberships and join the network of city-wide gardens that access SFE's events, supports, and resources.
We offered a free sign to all members this year, along with our seed giveaway. Six Bee Hotels found new homes as did deluxe gift baskets, yummy jams and jellies from Operation Fruit Rescue, Home & Garden Expo tickets and paint crafts for the kids.
Bee Hotel winner!
Our speakers, Dustin Bajer, Cherry Dodd, and Lorraine Taylor all brought great -if not fascinating- info on pollinators, native plants, pests, problems, and solutions. It all tied together and I heard many times over how people learned something new.
And the food! We have some wonderful cooks in Edmonton. It was truly a feast that everyone enjoyed. Many of you were especially thrilled with the Cheddar Cheese biscuits. Turns out they're called Cheddar Cheese Coins, and were prepared by Dawn Woolsey of the Urban Eden Community
Cheddar Cheese Coins (Cheddar Shortbread)
Combine:
2 cups flour
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne (optional)
Add:
1 cup butter cut into small pieces
Mix until mixture has the texture of coarse meal
Add:
1 cup grated aged or sharp cheddar
Mix until mixture holds together nicely.
Chill:
Divide into 4 pieces and roll into logs approximately 6" long.
Wrap in plastic and refrigerate minimum 1 hour or up to 3 days.
(Dough can be frozen up to 4 weeks.)
Bake:
Cut dough into 1/3 or 1/4" slices.
Place on parchment or greased sheets
Bake 20 minutes @ 350 degrees
Cool on baking sheet for 2-3 minutes then move to wire rack.
Home & Garden ticket winners
The connections and community building that took place are a success shared by all. It was heartwarming to experience the selfless offers to help, provide advice and support amongst gardeners.
SFE also has continued support available to community gardens. Our next grant intake is May 31 and funds are available for pilot projects, new gardens, expansions, renovations, and emergency repairs.
Please visit http://www.sustainablefoodedmonton.org/communitygardens for applications and guidelines