Livin' in the Blurbs: Trees, Farmers & Cheese!

Describing itself as a new "entrepreneurial non-profit organization," Grow Portland is dedicated to the expansion of urban agriculture in the Portland area. During the month of February it is offering five different 90-minute workshops on planting fruit trees. The cost is $40 and includes a fruit tree from their list, with additional trees available for $25 each. The class alone is $20. For more information call David Beller at 503-477-2333.

• Feb. 20: Classes at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm at Naomi's Organic Farm Supply, 2500 SE Tacoma St.
• Feb. 27: Class at 2 pm at Portland Fruit Tree Project, 1912 NE Killingsworth St. A portion of sales will go the Fruit Tree Project.
• Feb. 28: Classes at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm at Grow Portland Garden School, 4065 N Mississippi.

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Over the last several months, the folks at Friends of Family Farmers have traveled the state talking to farmers and ranchers about what they need to raise crops and livestock in a responsible and sustainable manner. On February 28th, each of the communities they have visited will send delegates to a meeting at the Oregon State University campus in Corvallis to start building a road map for shaping future food and farming policy in Oregon. They're asking for donations to help with gas and hotel expenses for delegates to this important meeting and, if you're so inclined, you can donate on their website.

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It's time once again for that cheesiest of events, the Oregon Cheese Guild's sixth annual Oregon Cheese Festival on Mar. 20th at Rogue Creamery in Central Point. It will feature a farmers' market-style event that will give festival-goers a chance to meet with some of Oregon and Northern California's premier artisan cheesemakers as well as other artisan producers of meat, chocolate, baked goods and wine. Plus you can purchase edible souvenirs to take home, give as gifts or to savor all by yourself.

Details: Sixth Annual Oregon Cheese Guild Oregon Cheese Festival. Sat., Mar. 20, 10 am-5 pm; $10 admission includes tastings and demonstrations; $5 wine tasting fee includes commemorative glass. Rogue Creamery, 311 N Front St., Central Point.