Harvest Moon Society

The Harvest Moon Society is presently engaged in a variety of educational projects, which promote the society’s greater vision of sustainable agriculture, vibrant rural communities and protecting the environment. The Old Clearwater School, now the “HMS Learning Centre” enables HMS to host various workshops, classes and activities within the community of Clearwater. A number of ongoing upgrades and programs at the HMS Learning Centre will further expand our educational capacity including: a self-guided trail; creating a summer kitchen; dorm rooms; gardens both ornamental and edible; and a greenhouse. The linkages including those between HMS and the Prairie Spirit School division, UofM architecture department and the UofM Environmental Conservation Laboratory has enabled a diversity of educational programming for all ages. Click Here to View Harvest Moon Education Brochure

CURRENT PROGRAMMING

LIVING RURAL COMMUNITIES AND ENVIRONMENTS (U of M)

This course is offered in conjunction with the University of Manitoba in Clearwater where students visit farms and explore the relationships between farm operations, rural culture, and the environment. Conducted over a two-week period, the course combines lectures and farm visits, along with course projects. This course has taken place in three out of the last four years and has brought 69 students through the HMS learning centre. Many of these same students have become long-term supporters of HMS and the community of Clearwater.

ARCHITECHTURE STUDIO (U of M)

Information to come.

URBAN-RURAL YOUTH EXCHANGE

In August, 2007, 13 inner-city youth from the Winnipeg Boys and Girls Clubs visited the Harvest Moon Learning Centre to learn about rural culture, community and agriculture. This program was developed in collaboration with the local 4-H club and the Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives department. Future plans include rural youth visiting the Winnipeg Boys and Girls Club in the city for a weekend of educational and cultural activities.

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: LEARNING ABOUT, FOR AND IN THE ENVIRONMENT

In partnership with the Prairie Spirit School division, the Harvest Moon Society is in the process of developing an experiential agro-environmental educational program. The HMS education committee is collaborating with teachers in the school division to create activities that compliment the formal curriculum.

YOUTH ACTIVIST RETREAT (YAR)

In 2006 and 2007, YAR has brought 45 students to the HMS learning centre for a week-long retreat designed to bring together young people aged 16-20 who want to build caring and responsible environments in their high school, university, workplace, and in the broader community.

HARVEST MOON FESTIVAL

HMS and the community of Clearwater have hosted Manitoba’s perennial farm festival since 2002. The Harvest Moon Festival celebrates the harvest season and local food production, while providing an opportunity to link those from rural and urban communities. The festival offers music, a Fair Trade Fair, a guided nature walk, and a variety of educational workshops for all ages. Education is an integral component to the festival and a slate of workshops have been hosted over the course of 5 festivals including: bio-diesel vehicle conversion, pop-bottle rockets, apple sauce making, organic farming, food security workshops, experiences in the North, natural body product making, drumming workshop and dancing. Over 500 individuals have participated in these workshops.

PAST EDUCATION PROGRAMMING

PERMACULTURE DESIGN & SUSTAINABLE LIVING

This course is offered in conjunction with the University of Manitoba. Permaculture design provides food, energy, and shelter for people and animal inhabitants while linking the needs and outputs of each element. The result is a dynamic yet stable system that sustains itself. It is a holistic approach to land use, which works with nature’s rhythm and patterns, weaving together the elements of microclimate, annual and perennial plants, animals, water, soil management, and human needs into intricately connected and productive communities. This course took place in 2005 and educated 15 students.

ORGANIC FARM AND LIVESTOCK INSPECTION COURSES

Held in conjunction with Assiniboine Community College in Brandon, MB. This certificate program offered professional development skills training to 16 organic farm and processing facility inspectors.

PASTURE POULTRY PROJECT

This project enabled six high school aged youth to gain hands on farming experience in raising, processing, and marketing pastured chickens.

OTHER EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Organic Inspector Training: (2005 & 2006): In cooperation with Assiniboine Community College.
• Food Justice Camp: (Aug 16 - 18, 2005) In cooperation with a Winnipeg based Ecumenical coalition and University of Winnipeg.
• Organic Crop Production Course/Workshops (July 24 - July 30, 2005) In cooperation with the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada.
• Manitoba Food Charter Consultation (November 2005) Consultation with Clearwater farmers for input into the Manitoba Food Charter. 
• Summer Fun Day (August 18, 2005) - Free afternoon of hands on science activities for children living in the community - In cooperation with Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) at the University of Manitoba.
• Holiday Present Making Workshop (December 17, 2005) Open to students in Clearwater and the surrounding community; Handmade Christmas gifts were made - beauty products & jewelry; 20 students attended.
• Comedy Festival (Annually) At Pilot Mound Collegiate in afternoon and Clearwater Hall in the evening. In Cooperation with CBC Comedy Festival, Clearwater Hall & Pilot Mound Collegiate.
• Healthy Communities Conference 2006 (April 21st, 2006) Co-sponsor: “Youth and Adults Working Together, Making a Difference”; Hosted a dance for high school students with local high school bands and a D.J. to follow the Healthy Communities Conference. In cooperation with Central Region Health Authority, Pilot Mound Collegiate & Peer Helpers Group.
• Organic Farm Education Tour (May 5, 2006) Hosted Pilot Mound School agriculture students. In partnership with Canadian Organic Growers and the Prairie Spirit School Division.
• A Time for Prairie Women Gathering and Workshop (Nov, 2006 & Oct, 2007) In cooperation with Sandra Hayes Gardiner.
• Buy Local Food Workshop (November 10 2006) In cooperation with Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Initiatives.
• Youth Exchange (August 2007) Inner City Urban Youth meet rural Youth - experiential learning Program. In cooperation with The Winnipeg Boys and Girls Club.
• Other outcomes of the work of the Harvest Moon Society Learning Centre include:
• Clearwater Historical Nature Walk (Self Guided)
• Clearwater Community Cookbook
• Adobe Oven
• Local Medicinal Plant Guide
• Expansion of the Historical Nature Walk in cooperation with Manitoba Conservation and PFRA