Energy Diversity, Local Solutions-- and SEEDS! On Saturday February 10 , Wagon Wheel Produce (near Simcoe Ontario), will host “Sowing the Seeds of Energy Diversity”, a Seedy Saturday event that looks at ways to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel and build energy security for ourselves, and our communities. This all-day event features speakers on diverse forms of energy (biodiesel, wind, oil) as well as food localism, and peak oil. Admission is by donation to Seeds of Diversity Canada. People who attended “An Evening of Wine and Seeds” in London last year will understand the spirit of this event, although the wine part is saved for a post-event reception in the late afternoon. Gardeners can buy seeds and gardening supplies from local vendors, including Hawthorn Farms, Ecogenesis, My Green Garden, and CircleDance. Be sure to visit (and contribute to) the seed-swap table, a feature of every Seedy Saturday across Canada.

Doors open at 9:30 a.m.. At 10:00 a.m. we'll hear from Jay Mowat of Everdale, an organic farm and environmental learning centre near Guelph. Jay, who chairs Everdale's biodiesel initiative and is organizing a biodiesel co-op, will present a practical introduction to making biodiesel at home.

At 11:30 we welcome Prof. Robert Feagan of Wilfred Laurier University, who's passion for local food and biodiversity is guided by the overarching question of, in his words, “why humans intervene in the natural world in the often unsettling ways that we do”. Dr. Feagan will look at food localism and food security in a low-energy world.

At lunch time, Arden Koptik, owner of Wagon Wheel Produce, will open the cafe for lunch. Attendees can purchase a hot meal of local and organic comfort food. The cafe will be open for snacks all day. Organic, fair-trade hot beverages will be available.

At 1:30 p.m. Charlie Fairbank will speak on peak oil from an oilman's perspective. His property near Petrolia has been producing oil for more than a century. A Washington economist recently said to Charlie: “Only in Canada I meet my first Oil Baron and he drives off in a Prius”. Charlie Fairbank's breadth of knowledge on peak oil arises from his early association with Peak pioneers Ken Deffeyes and Julian Darley. Charlie will speak on the “big picture” in oil and natural gas depletion and the consequences for our industrial economy.

At 3:00 we will hear from Doug Fyfe, Director of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association and General Manager of Countryside Wind Energy Co-op, speaking on community-scaled wind power opportunities. For more information, or vendor inquiries, please call Bev Wagar at 519-874-1227 or e-mail bev@mygreengarden.ca . Event web site: www.mygreengarden.ca/seedy/