Seedy Swap Events

Seedy Sunday 2013

Over 500 visitors joined us on February 24, 2013 from 11am-4pm at St. Peter’s HARRRP, 705 Main St East (at St. Clair)

The Hamilton Community Garden Network and Green Venture hosted our 4th annual event inspired by Seeds of Diversity Canada featuring seed vendors and exchanges, garden workshops, community groups, refreshments, and the chance to win prizes.

The event was a huge success!

By the numbers:

Total visitors: at least 500
Vendors: 15
Community exhibitors: 12
Volunteers: 33
Volunteer hours day-of: 211
Volunteer hours for planning: over 1,100
Seeds exchanged: thousands
Visitors enjoying crafts and demos: at least 100
Workshops: 3
Visitors at workshops: 30-40 each for around 100 total
Raffle prizes: 33
Cash donations at the event: $1750
Value of in-kind donations: $1855
Value of advance cash donations: $750

Thanks to Shawn Fennell and Jen Kellner for great shots of the event (find more here)

Penny Raffle
Highlights included

  • an RBG family membership,
  • bike baskets from New Hope Bikes
  • gift cards from some great seed companies like Ritchers and Stokes
  • gift cards from local restaurants like Slainte’s and Kelsey’s
  • garden and food books from J.H. Gordon Books and OPIRG McMaster
  • huge jade plant from a local residents
  • passes from three Hamilton Yoga Studios: Del a Sol Yoga Studios, Moksha Yoga Hamilton, and Heaven on Earth Yoga Institute

 

Workshop and Demos featured: 
12:00 – Seed Saving Basics Visitors learned the basics of seed saving from Kim Delaney, owner of Hawthorn Farm where she produces organic vegetable, herb and flower seed focusing on heirlooms and public plant breeding releases. Kim is committed to the production of seed, healthy food and clean energy.
1:00 – Healthy Soils = Healthy Plants  Russ Ohrt of  Backyard Harvest helped participants learn the importance of soil and will share tips and tricks to keep your soils healthy.
2:00 – Pollinator Pals Visitors joined Karin Davidson-Taylor from Pollination Guelph to learn all about our local pollinators, why they are so important, and how you can help them stay healthy.
12:00 – 3:00 (drop-in) – Kid-Friendly Demonstrations and crafts such as self-watering containers, exploring soils, and origami newspaper pots (NOTE: Kids must be accompanied by an adult at all times)

Vendors and Exhibitors:
Tree and Twig Heirloom Farm (seeds)
The Plant Lady (seeds)
Hawthorn Farm Organic Seeds (seeds)
Riverdale Meadow Community Garden (books, season extension supplies)
JayDancin (organic makeup and skincare)
YourPrivateGardener (local landscaping)
The Natural Way (natural fertilizers)
Rainbarrel.ca (rain barrels)
Green Venture  (vermi-composting supplies)
Kelly’s Kandles and Eye of the Crow (candle and decorated plant pots)
The Mustard Seed (start-up Hamilton food cooperative)
 Bumble Bee Gardens
Anything Grows Seed Co.

Neighbour 2 Neighbour Centre
North Hamilton Community Health Centre
Hamilton Victory Gardens
RevWear
Bartonville Neighbourhood Community Garden
Seeds of Diversity, Canada
CityHousing Hamilton
Halton Region Master Gardeners
Hamilton Community Garden Network
Pollination Guelph
South Sherman Spokes

Food – Fritterson’s Food Truck and Homegrown Hamilton 
Although were ran into some challenges with our first year of food vendors, both Fritterson’s food truck and Homegrown Hamilton brought lots of goodies for visitors to enjoy.

Seed Exchange
The exchange keeps growing. With the help of some very organized volunteers, thousands of seeds exchanged hands. We pass along a huge thanks to Canadian Organic Growers, Hamilton Chapter who donated almost $200 worth of seeds to support the exchange.

Thanks to our Volunteers!!
This event would not be possible without support from the amazing volunteer! A huge thanks to our planning team made up of Yvette Foster, Ambur Watt, Philippa Brooks, and Natasha Tilley. We’d also like to thank Lauren Vraets, Ann Brown, and Edda Jaenisch for their support early in the planning process.  Also, thank you in advance to the over 20 volunteers who will be helping out during the event. Want to volunteer for next year’s planning team?  Contact us!

Thanks to Donours and Supporters

Many local businesses and groups donated prizes and other support to the event.

FOR OVER $100 IN SUPPORT, THANKS TO:

The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security, a project of USC Canada delivered in partnership with Seeds of Diversity Canada and supported by The W. Garfield Weston Foundation.

USC Josh Gordon Creative

COGMoksha Yoga

 

 

De La Sol Yoga   Hawthorn Farm

FOR $50 TO $100 IN SUPPORT, THANKS TO:

FOR $20 TO $50 IN SUPPORT THANKS TO:

  • Red Hill Coffee Trade
  • Ola’s Bakery and Pastries
  • Slainte Irish Pub
  • Bernie Morelli – Ward 3
  • McDonald’s – Delta
  • Kelsey’s
  • Leghorn’s
  • Richter’s
  • Fabricland – Ottawa St.
  • CityHousing Hamilton Community Garden
  • Stoke’s Seeds
  • West Coast Seeds
  • Heaven on Earth Yoga Institute
  • OPIRG McMaster (Ontario Public Interest Group)

Want to get involved next year?

Sign up for our e-news (via the right-side of the page) or contact us (scroll down or use the link at the top of the page) to get updates about the event or offer your support.

Learn more about past events: