Food Movements

Everything from commercial redevelopment to public art initiatives have been credited with helping revitalise the US city of Detroit following its infamous post-1950s decline, but this weekend we will also hear about the part played by urban agriculture. Devita Davison, the executive director of Foodlab Detroit, a membership-based non-profit organisation, is in Victoria where she will speak at the National Sustainable Living Festival on Detroit's "good food movement". She will be on panel discussing "Locavore Living" at the Dome in Birrarung Marr from 4.30pm to 6pm tomorrow (Sunday 10 February). Go to slf.org.au for more information.

Tour

Horticulturalist and Gardening Australia presenter Jane Edmanson will this month lead a tour of the gardens of Rippon Lea Estate, with a special emphasis on the 19th Century fernery. Edmanson's tour (which includes morning tea) runs from 10am to 12pm on Wednesday 20 February, $32/National Trust members $26.50. Bookings are essential. Go to ripponleaestate.com.au for more information.

Workshops

Two workshops – one on native bees and another on making compost – will be held in a private garden in Preston next weekend. "Attracting native bees to your garden" is from 10am to 11.30am and "Composting at home" from 12.30pm to 2pm, both on Saturday 16 February, $30 each. Go to opengardensvictoria.org.au for more information or to make a booking.