WHAT TO EXPECT

Location of Classes

Most classes will take place at the Edible Landscapes teaching farm at 1732 Pell Road, Roberts Creek, British Columbia.  However, some classes may move to various farms in the area.  We encourage carpooling, and plan classes in an orderly physical progression, with time after the first venue to arrange carpooling to a second one.  All venues will be near a bus route.

How to Get Here and Where to Stay

Edible Landscapes is only about a 20 minute drive from the Langdale ferry. If you’re coming for the whole weekend camping is available at Edible Landscapes ($5 per person per night up to $15 per tent) or connect with BC Parks.  The Back Packers B and B can be found at upthecreek.ca and is quite close.

  • Ferry: You can also do it as a day trip if you catch an early ferry.
  • Bus: You can also take a bus from the ferry. The Flume Rd stop is closest (C on this map) but will give more detailed directions when you register.
  • Car-pooling: If you’d like to arrange car-pooling, chat with
  • Directions for driving/biking to Edible Landscapes: Get to Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver.  Get in the lane for/buy ticket for the Langdale ferry. When you get off the ferry, get into the middle lane that heads to Upper Gibsons (up the long hill ahead of you), and then follow the traffic around North Road, and turn right onto the highway at the first FULL set of lights in the town (not the little blinking yellow at the top of the first hill!). Drive up that highway for about 15 – 17 minutes (I think it is an hour or so by bike).  It will leave Gibsons and head through trees. After driving about 15  minutes, you will see the Golf Course on your right, and next the fire hall on your left, and that is Roberts Creek Road intersecting the highway right there.  Staying on the highway, start counting the roads on your right. The next one after that intersection is Lockyer Road, and the one after that is Pell (they are far apart!). Drive up Pell about half a km, pass under the power lines and then immediately look to your right. You will see a sign with a red Chinese symbol (means “grassroots”) and the word “Workshop”. That sign is on the bottom corner of Edible Landscapes and the next driveway on your right (about 80 feet later) at the Edible Landscapes sign is mine and you are safe and sound! Park in the first lot and walk through the gardens, or curve around to your right and you will see my house behind the big deer fence. Call or whistle for attention!
  • WARNING – I encourage bussing and cycling, but there are two dogs loose on Pell – a large orange thing named Pedro and his little pittbull friend. Pitbull is friendly. Pedro looks and acts very threatening. Throw rocks, scream etc – he is 100% cowed by this behaviour – multiple calls to bylaw officer totally ineffective – still working on owners. Record complaints with me.

Meals

At your request a seasonal vegetarian lunch with home grown tea will be provided for $6, or visitors may bring their own lunches. Lunch hour is an opportunity for participants to share their learning and their own projects and ideas. I encourage visitors not to drive out for meals – it is extra fossil fuel use plus arriving back late (and holy cow, if you go to the Gumboot for lunch you are going to be late, all right) disrupts the class.  Drinking water is a valuable resource.  Students are asked to bring a container of water for their daily use.

Format of Classes

Most classes are one and a half hours long, with only short breaks to maximize learning time during the day. When venues switch between classes, 1/2 hour travel time is required.

Class Size

Small class sizes of normally no more than 10 students guarantee maximum learning, access to Instructors, and enable the class to physically manage narrow paths and gather around small projects.

Fees

Most classes are $25 each (1.5 hours). Exceptions will be noted. Registering for whole day/weekend? Take 10% off total!

Waiver

Although Edible Landscapes and the Sustainable Living Arts School have managed to host many dozens of visitors with only the occasional bump or sunburn, I have received a couple of comments that have made me uneasy, and have reminded me what a litigious society we now live in.  A kind guest pointed out that it may be time for legal protection in the form of a waiver, and then promptly designed and donated one.  For the honourable among you, which is almost every single one of you, please forgive me for now covering my nervous butt with the attached waiver.  I thank you for your tolerance.  And if you cannot print and return it, I will have a pile of blanks here.  With gratitude to Angela and Magnus, and with ongoing wishes for the best health and safety of my visitors.

Gentle Request to Students

Our wish is that the classes are as efficient and enjoyable as possible for everyone.  We know that many students have come a long way, and some are using valuable funds to take these classes.  With this in mind, we ask that everyone observe the following class guidelines:

  • Please be on time so you don’t interrupt a class! Arrange transportation early. We will help you wherever we can to do this.
  • Come prepared – Bring water, thermos, snacks, notepad and pen, gloves and boots, clothing appropriate for the weather, and anything else you might need for your comfort during your class.
  • Please turn off your cell phone!
  • Please pre-pay – Last minute cancellations on unpaid registrations are becoming a major issue – spaces are booked so others cannot sign up, plus instructors have been hired who must be paid whether there are adequate students or not. Thank you for helping our school provide as much knowledge and skills to as many people as possible!

Interview With Robin Wheeler

Timely Tips

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