Green Smoothie Ingredients: Fruit in 7 months?

A picture is worth a thousand words, this from: http://www.rawfamily.com/news/2012/08/espalier.jpg

Victoria Boutenko writes: "Now we realize why she (Valya) was so excited. From the trees and bushes that Valya received in the mail only six months ago, we are already harvesting our own apricots, figs, mulberries, black currants, peaches and grapes. We are now looking forward to our own pears, persimmons, and pawpaws".


Having read this post Learn to Espalier with Valya, I immediately thought of friends Dirk Becker, Nicole Shaw and Compassion Farm and what use I could put this information to and wrote:

"I remember your regrets about not planting fruit trees years ago. I too have similar thoughts, but here is an answer Learn to Espalier with Valya. Fruits in just 7 months?"

Espalier? My pruning books talk about this, but I was under the impression it was a long term project and too labour intensive for me...

So I decided to do my own research and as usual I began with Wikipedia: Espalier

(/ɨˈspælɪər/ or /ɨˈspæli.eɪ/) is the horticultural and ancient agricultural practice of controlling woody plant growth originally for the production of fruit, by pruning and tying branches to a frame so that they grow into a flat plane, frequently in formal patterns, against a structure such as a wall, fence, or trellis, and also plants which have been shaped in this way.

• 2010-10-10 05:04 Andyvancleve 640×480× (266695 bytes) Belgian Fence being trained at the flowering shrub farm. Andyvancleve www.floweringshrubfarm.com

More information on fruit tree forms are here.

I am most interested in keeping my neighbours and their animals out of my food garden. To that end I've erected a fence and gate, netting and planted scarlet runners, climbing nasturtiums, Himalayan Blackberries and am utilizing the Hawthorn tree already there.

Thanks to Valya, Victoria Boutenko and Wikipedia for getting me thinking about how I can train more permanent trees to produce earlier than I ever thought possible.

It is now September, 2012, time to think about planning my First WINTER GARDEN...

Harassment of Compassion Farm in Lantzville, B.C.

Compassion Farm Update – May 2012  Will "They" Never Learn?
Please read and consider http://www.synergymag.ca/compassion-farm-update-may-2012/

Having done so myself I wrote: Chris Slater says:

June 14, 2012 at 1:23 pm

In my opinion these three are nothing but paid mouthpieces (shareholders?) for multinational corporations like Monsanto. Please see “Millions Against Monsanto” http://www.organicconsumers.org/monsanto/ Why else are they so adamant over a few wheelbarrows of compost – able clippings? Good, we’ve got them running scared after all these years of poisoning OUR planet for their private profit, people are finally saying enough is enough. They never should have been allowed to patent life, especially – GMO’s – genetically modified organisms. We need common sense legislation like the European Union has: all GMO tainted so called “foods” MUST be labelled as such and give the public information we MUST have in order to avoid becoming their “guinea pigs”. Further, these three local troublemakers shouldn’t be given the time of day for their continual harassment and the invasion of privacy upon their peaceful neighbours at Compassion Farm. Shame on them!

Mayor Colin Haime; Lantzville, BC, Canada

Chris J. Slater @ GrownFoods says: Your comment is awaiting moderation.

August 18, 2011 at 11:58 pm

Mayor Haime. I am a Canadian, a British Columbian, a neighbour to Lantzville; I live in the Cowichan Valley Regional District. I moved to Vancouver Island from Edmonton in 1978 to escape the “development above all else” mentality. So although not a resident of Lantzville, I and my family still need clean air, water, food and adequate shelter. No one in this world can live in isolation to anyone else. Having been to Compassion Farm, and having met Dirk Becker and Nicole Shaw, I can assure you the neighbour, Jim Brash and you, as the “majority of Council” – Mayor, wife as a Councillor and the other 2 who are pushing this issue, more than deserve the criticism you are now getting. Unlike you, we are having difficulty obtaining those 4 basics of life. I and my wife just watched you and Dirk on Shaw Cable and we are dismayed at your inflexible attitude and insistence on a flawed 2006 bylaw restricting people from people from growing their own organic air, water, food and shelter. Sir, drop the foolish litigation, stop wasting precious resources. In closing, you and council of Lantzville need to know you were elected to provide leadership in your community, the province of B.C., Canada and the world. So either you will lead, will follow or you will get out of the way; the times are changing.

Rope-a-Lantzville Dope

Susana Michaelis

‎(This post was buried in a long string and I think it is very important. Susana)

From: Dirk Becker
Dear folks,:
 

Nicole and I are very political. We feel strongly that the political is personal and involves every aspect our lives. I personally have run for office twice now. We also recognize that what we are doing here is not only political, it is also of global significance.
 

We have both served on many boards ranging from social, to environmental, to food.
Our lives have been turned upside down for 11 months now. I have not slept properly for most of that time (usually wake up at 4 am wet from nightmares) have been sick for 2 months, my back is out, our crops suck, the slugs are out of control, the weed are 3 feet tall etc.
 

Because of that and more, we have been pushed by our most trusted friends to retain a lawyer. The initial retainer will be about $5,000.00 We farm full time for a living, we also publish a magazine that is break even because we refuse to chase after and fill the magazine with ads. We also do free workshops, public talks, consult and counsel people weekly for free. I have been asked by a publisher to start a book, and another person has asked me to go on a cross canada tour to speak on this issue.
 

85% of farmers in canada have off farm jobs to make ends meet. I have not had a holiday for 10 years and we have not had a 2 night getaway for 2, going on 3 years now. In addition to all I have mentioned (there is more) we now need between 5,000 and $50,000.00 for this legal battle.
 

What we are asking is that you folks please take (this) battle to your personal face books. There are 1600+ members on this group. When they get posts from here and or join, we need them to be drawn to:
"Protect Urban Agriculture, Save Compassion Farm"
 

We need you and others (on this site) to direct their energy towards the future of food in canada through bottom up, grass roots actions like this.

Thank you for your understanding and support thus far, i sincerely hope you will stay the course with us, as this issue and fight affects all of in this group, the people of Vancouver Island, of British Columbia, of Canada, of North America and the rest of all people around the world.
 

Thank You,
Yours in Service, Dirk Becker.

7 hours ago · · ·

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• You and 2 others like this.
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    Glenda Allard Barr Thank you, Susana. This is, indeed, an important post. It hurts to read it, but it dramatizes the ordeal that Dirk and Nicole cannot escape, and the need for our energies to find resolution for this issue. I deleted the word "try" in the last sentence, because we cannot end the struggle until good sense prevails and the value of the work our farmers do is fully recognized!

    7 hours ago · · 1 person
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    Chris J. Slater Dirk and Nichol - "Rope-A-Dope!" http://en.wikipedia.org/wi​ki/Rope-a-dope and "Illegitimi non carborundum" http://en.wikipedia.org/wi​ki/Illegitimi_non_carborun​dum . Yes those who want to be your oppressors and bullies are truly sick. Agreed? But don't feed them and what they crave by wasting your time and energies by worrying about what they have or can do. Enjoy your chosen vocations, it's always darkest before dawn. And there is one coming. There are elections in the District of Lantzville in November and rather than trying to change the minds of those now in power, we need to expose them for what they are and work for regime change. To spend $5,000 on legal retainers let alone $50,000, or on advertising, hoping to educate or change their minds is foolishness. Get on with what you need to do. If that angry neighbour, Mayor, Councillors or anyone else is harassing you or your property, report them to the RCMP, by-law enforcement or whatever authority is responsible for good law and order. And thank you for sharing what losers they are. But what about Jack De Jong's well researched solution: apply for "Farm Tax Status" ? There are 9 properties in a situation similar to yours, but they already have the Status. That designation comes from the BC Assessment Authority and that MUST be the end of The D of L's demands, unless they want to continue this charade of discrimination. Raw Manure, Flies, Plague, Etc. In my opinion, having been there personally, they are FULL of IT! Better yet, the District of L will have less of YOUR tax dollars to spend on such foolishness. Please, reconsider and get that Status, then people, let's work to "Turf The Turkeys" in November! Please, Dirk and Nicole, continue your very important fight: to restore some sanity to our RIGHT to FEED ourselves and whoever we choose without government or corporate interference! People, please, wherever you are in the world, rise up, your RIGHTS must be respected! And tell everyone who EATS: Protect Urban Agriculture, Save Compassion Farm...How? Join the fight!

    

    Rope-a-dope - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    en.wikipedia.org

    The Rope-a-dope is a boxing fighting style commonly associated with Muhammad Ali...See more

    12 minutes ago · · 1 person ·
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    Chris J. Slater FB always has to leave off something! Send this link to whoever you know who eats! http://www.facebook.com/gr​oups/143703205679538/ Ask them to join in a righteous campaign.

    

    Protect Urban Agriculture, Save Compassion Farm...

    One of our sacred local food sources (Compassion Farm - Lantzville, BC) has come under attack by those who do not understand the importance of urban agriculture. The purpose of this group is to creat...

    7 minutes ago · · 2 people ·

Law Suits

On Protect Urban Agriculture, Save Compassion Farm...

Nico TeWinkel

Thought you might be interested in the costs another municipality ran into when they sued a citizen. Total legal costs were about $120,000, or $200 per taxpayer. Suing a taxpayer shows great fiscal responsibility, doesn't it?
http://www2.canada.com/comoxvalleyecho/news/story.html?id=64484030-07d3-49b3-9a0e-e3b51954e0fThought you might be interested in the costs another municipality ran into when they sued a citizen. Total legal costs were about $120,000, or $200 per taxpayer. Suing a taxpayer shows great fiscal responsibility, doesn't it?
http://www2.canada.com/comoxvalleyecho/news/story.html?id=64484030-07d3-49b3-9a0e-e3b51954e0fa

Union Bay settles costly suit against citizen blogger

www2.canada.com

The most news and entertainment portal from a Canadian perspective. Television, major newspapers across Canada, health, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, free email and more.

Yesterday at 08:52 · · ·

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• Karen Gillmore and 3 others like this.
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    Nico TeWinkel yes, different case, but another example of an elected local government spending lots of taxpayer money, against taxpayer will, to satisfy their own egos. And the result is that most of the elected people have been replaced and their reputations are shot. Oh, and of course everybody living there has to cough up an extra $200 for the politicians' stupidities.

    20 hours ago · · 1 person
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    Bernadette Keenan There is that. Most municipalities that I am aware of don't jump in to lawsuits right off the bat.

    20 hours ago ·
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    April Reeves

    Oh no, this is BRILLIANT! Forget about the "suit" itself and just listen to the message it brings. Regan Grill, this is what should be going out in an ad! This is how you throw it back at them. When the local taxpayers get hold of this it will incite a new level of support, inadvertently of course, but none the less, valuable. Locals may or may not like the idea of urban farms, but they all agree on paying as little tax as possible. Phrase this appropriately and you have a valuable tool.

    10 hours ago ·
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    Bernadette Keenan

    what you might also do is some sort of investigation into what kind of results such lawsuits have. from my perspective they are not entered into lightly, usually to bring about compliance, but the awards are not usually very large from what I recall.
    Very important to have a chronology of events. That is what the Lantzville will do. They will prepare a list of dates and actions taken. Wonder where you can check these kind of lawsuits....

    9 hours ago ·
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    Chris J. Slater Yes, Research for those so inclined: http://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/judgmentdatabase/jdbresults.asp?target=Regional+District++-+Bylaw+enforcement+vs.&CiScope=%2FJudgments%2F&RecordsPerPage=10&Order=Rank There are 1087 cases to review. I searched Regional District+ bylaw enforcement and this is what came up...Interesting reading...

    about an hour ago ·
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    Chris J. Slater Hmm, I also tried Municipality vs. at http://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/judgmentdatabase/ and came up with 226. Also tried "entire database" then "By-law enforcement" http://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/judgmentdatabase/jdbresults.asp?target=Bylaw+enforcement&CiScope=%2FJudgments%2F&RecordsPerPage=10&Order=Rank which gives 695 cases and judgements. The very first, under Citation is found at: http://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/judgments/pc/2000/02/p00_0214.htm and it involves the City of Courtenay enforcing residential zoning...

    58 minutes ago ·
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    Chris J. Slater Dirk and Nicole: You are in the right and I encourage you or anyone else who wants to seek "food security" to do so in any way that is legal / and or leads to changes in archaic and unfair enforcement of existing by-laws. Unfortunately right now, you are the "lightening rod" on Vancouver Island. Also "Residential Zoning" yields 991 cases at: 

    http://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/judgmentdatabase/jdbresults.asp?target=Residential+zoning&CiScope=%2FJudgments%2F&RecordsPerPage=10&Order=Rank 

     

    A lawyer is supposed to research the case and cite precedents such as these. This is by no means an exhaustive listing of decisions, but rather a list of the "better" decisions on which lawyers argue their cases. As legal aid is very short of funding they may not be able to help, but try them at http://www.lss.bc.ca/legal_aid/legalAidOffices.asp, 

     

    then there is lawyer referral at http://www.google.com/custom?hl=en&client=google-coop-np&cof=FORID%3A13%3BAH%3Aleft%3BCX%3ALegal%2520Services%2520Society%2520Search%2520Engine%3BL%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fintl%2Fen%2Fimages%2Flogos%2Fcustom_search_logo_sm.gif%3BLH%3A30%3BLP%3A1%3BVLC%3A%23551a8b%3BDIV%3A%23cccccc%3B&adkw=AELymgV-TV3YmsmTihrX4JwhSD5Mnc_BpSCmnNcHVT-QWwAOoSjMEwBRuOLMcrv-XqrvWARpkiUHSP3ABGwPkFLE4QR4wLyXqh9NLsRQRGHZxXZcUMX3gV2AVP9nDyWS4viouR08yfsV&boostcse=0&q=Lawyer+referral&btnG=Search&cx=008001742875102515761%3Amaral-wcydu whoa just a little one! 

     

    Personally I like the Nanaimo Salvation Army ProBono program at http://www.probono.ca/council.php and http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/justice-access-centre/nanaimo/resources/info/probono.htm at which I note is link to Nanaimo Citizens Advocacy Association at: http://www.povnet.org/node/2526.

     

    Also see the Law Students program: www.lslap.bc.ca/. 

     

    I am very stubborn when it comes to my rights and I hate to see anyone bullied or pushed around by anyone, including by the RCMP. You can represent yourself successfully at provincial court, most judges give you the benefit of the doubt in your presentation. 

     

    Also see Courthouse Law Library: http://www.courthouselibrary.ca/ 

     

    Even if you lose at the BCPC then you have three more courts to appeal to: SCBC, Appeal Court SCBC and Supreme Court of Canada. Personal poverty is a defense against paying lawyers and you can apply for "indigent status"

     

    20 minutes ago ·
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    Chris J. Slater Indigent status is a little tricky, a couple of my "cases" in BCSC are quoted because I was too proud to admit that I couldn't pay for a lawyer and cover my existing debts. But after a few false starts, my cases are now being fought from my "indigent status" That serves to let the other side know from the outset that a judgement against me will be a "dry judgement". Because of the loss of my rights as a man, father and citizen of Canada, I am deeply in debt. Most recently on May 18, 2010 at PCBC I beat Maintenance Enforcement after they took all my assets including my Canada Plan Plan and forced me into abject poverty. 

     

    As a result I've became a beat dead dad, unable to travel to Courtenay and Bremerton Washington to visit my children, am homeless and have become very familiar with food banks and helping agencies. But even so, it can be done! Oh yes this is very helpful also: Canadian Legal Information Institute CanLII at http://www.canlii.org/ for other court decisions. 

     

    Thanks for your postings, we can AGAIN grow and sell our own food.

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