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Since March 2008, The Local Grain Revolution series has been following the evolution of Canada's first Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project for grain.

The project has inspired a wave of support from the communities of Nelson and Creston, including support from the Kootenay Lake Sailing Association. In September 2008, a group of sailors approached the CSA and offered to sail as much of the grain as they could from the Creston Valley to Nelson along Kootenay Lake. In less than a month, four sailboats had committed to the weekend excursion and Deconstructing Dinner's Jon Steinman joined the crew of the Kelpie so that listeners could, at the very least, take an audible part in the exciting fossil-fuel free mission.

Voices

Matt Lowe, Climate Change Campaigner, West Kootenay EcoSociety (Nelson, BC) - The West Kootenay EcoSociety promotes ecologically and socially sound communities while protecting species and ecosystems in the Southern Columbia Mountains ecoregion. Matt is the co-founder of the grain CSA.

Jay Blackmore, Sailor, Kootenay Lake Sailing Association (Nelson, BC) - When Jay first heard about the CSA, he was eager to become part of this exciting initiative. He quickly gathered a group of sailors who will be sailing the grains from the Creston Valley to Nelson on the weekend of October 25, 2008.

David Oosthuizen, Sailor, Kootenay Lake Sailing Association (Nelson, BC) - David was the skipper of the Kelpie.

Roy Plummer, Volunteer (Fruitvale, BC)

Jon Steinman, Producer/Host, Deconstructing Dinner (Nelson, BC)

Keith Huscroft, Farmer, Huscroft Farm (Lister, BC)

Drew Gailius, Farmer, Full Circle Farm (Canyon, BC)

Cecile Andrews, Author, Slow is Beautiful (Seattle, WA)

Music

Earl Hamilton, Musician/Educator (Nelson, BC) - Earl was invited to author a song in honour of the Creston Grain CSA. He has since been recorded performing "Close to Home" in the studios of Kootenay Co-op Radio and performed the song live on the shores of Nelson just after the grain had arrived via sailboat from the Creston Valley. Earl was joined by Norman Richard

Sailing Grain Maps and Photos - Oct. 2008

Creston CSA Farms (Click to enlarge)

Sailboat route along Kootenay Lake (Click to enlarge)

Departing the West Arm of Kootenay Lake by the community of Balfour (Matt Lowe). 10/08

Sailor David Oosthuizen inspecting the sails. 10/08

Jon Steinman (right) records the journey on board the boat of David Oosthuizen. 10/08

Matt Lowe takes the helm of the Kelpie. 10/08

The sun shines above the Selkirk Mountains looking south on Kootenay Lake. 10/08

Matt Lowe and David Oosthuizen aboard Kelpie. 10/08

Sailor David Oosthuizen prepares to transfer beer from one boat to another. 10/08

Dave Heath's boat approaches as it prepares to receive a transfer of beer. 10/08

Preparing for the beer transfer. 10/08

The beer transfer in action. 10/08

The beer transfer is a success! 10/08

Heading south on Kootenay Lake. 10/08

The sun rises alongside the west shore of Kootenay Lake where the crews of the four boats spent the first evening of the 2.5-day journey. 10/08

The crews were made up of volunteers of all ages. 10/08

Jon Steinman collecting ambient recordings at one of two overnight locations. 10/08

Just prior to departing the overnight location on day 2. 10/08

The sailboats appear tiny in the shadows of such majestic scenery. 10/08

Sailor David Oosthuizen tightens the lines. 10/08

The end of Kootenay Lake looking south into the Creston Valley. 10/08

Arriving at Kuskanook harbour. 10/08

The boats arrive at Kuskanook harbour. 10/08

Farmer Drew Gailius standing at Kuskanook harbour alongside grain grown at Full Circle Farm. 10/08

Farmer Roy Lawrence at Kuskanook harbour. 10/08

The first bag of grain is passed at Kuskanook harbour from farmer Drew Gailius to sailor David Oosthuizen. 10/08

Bags of grain at Kuskanook harbour 10/08 (Chris Shepherd, Express Newspaper)

Transferring grain at Kuskanook harbour. 10/08

Farmer Drew Gailius unloading grain at Kuskanook harbour. 10/08

Volunteer CSA members help load grain at Kuskanook harbour 10/08 (Chris Shepherd, Express Newspaper)

Volunteers loading grain at Kuskanook harbour. 10/08

Volunteers load grain at Kuskanook harbour 10/08 (Chris Shepherd, Express Newspaper)

Farmer Drew Gailius transferring grain to volunteers at Kuskanook harbour. 10/08

Farmer Roy Lawrence stands above his grain looking north up Kootenay Lake. 10/08

Volunteers load grain at Kuskanook harbour 10/08 (Chris Shepherd, Express Newspaper)

Enjoying lunch of local grains, cheese and fruit at Kuskanook harbour. 10/08

Matt Lowe attempts to break a baguette on the Kelpie before departing Kuskanook harbour. The baguette was too fresh and it didn't break! 10/08 (Chris Shepherd, Express Newspaper)

Looking north up Kootenay Lake from Kuskanook harbour. 10/08

Looking north up Kootenay Lake. 10/08

Sailor Dave Heath assesses the wind. 10/08

Sailor Dave Heath and crew travelling north on Kootenay Lake enroute to Nelson. 10/08

One of four boats transporting the grain enroute to Nelson 10/08 (Chris Shepherd, Express Newspaper)

The first boat arrives in Nelson transporting 1500lbs of grain. 10/08

Volunteer Suzy Hamilton receives grain from Dave Heath at the dock in Nelson. 10/08

Volunteers help unload grain from first boat in Nelson. 10/08

Matt Lowe carries grain from the dock in Nelson. 10/08

Matt Lowe transports grain on a push-cart to an awaiting truck in Nelson. 10/08

The remaining three boats arrive in Nelson in the West Arm of Kootenay Lake. 10/08

A crowd gathers in Nelson to welcome the sailboats. 10/08

The remaining three boats prepare to dock in Nelson. 10/08

Volunteers help tie up a sailboat to the Nelson municipal docks. 10/08

A chain is formed and the boats are unloaded of their grain. 10/08

A chain of enthusiastic volunteers help unload grain from the sailboats docked in Nelson. 10/08

Volunteers unloading grain in Nelson. 10/08

Dozens of children were on hand to help unload grain in Nelson. 10/08

Dozens of children were on hand to help unload grain in Nelson. 10/08

Excitement fills the children as they learn that not all food needs to come from the grocery store! 10/08

Unloading the grain in Nelson. 10/08

After unloading the grain in Nelson, the 5,000lbs were stored in town prior to delivery to members. 10/08

Earl Hamilton and Norman Richard perform the grain CSA inspired tune "Close to Home". 10/08