"Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants," says author Michael Pollan in his recent book "In Defense of Food." But do we eat this way?

We live in a country that produces 3,900 calories per capita each day when most of us need only about 2,000. The mantra of our economic system demands growth so those extra 1,900 calories end up embedded in unnatural ways in industrial foods with unpronounceable ingredients. How we raise and process our food is often unhealthy for us and the planet.

Here in the mid-valley we are blessed with wonderful farmers markets, community-supported agriculture, local food stores and a good gardening climate This is a good start but if you are interested in "eating with the fullest pleasure," as Wendell Berry says, you might check out becoming a master gardener, going on the organic garden tour or taking the "Menu for the Future" discussion course. Your enjoyment and appreciation of genuine food will grow!

Here are details on those events and other opportunities during September:

"Buying a Solar Water Heater" - A workshop presented by Solar Oregon from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. Free. Register online at www.solaroregon.org/

workshops. Sponsored by the Corvallis Energy Challenge.

Master gardener online course - Monday through Dec. 5. Cost is $400. For more information and to register e-mail ecampus@oregonstate.edu or check http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/mastergardener. Sponsored by Oregon State Extended Campus.

Ninth annual "Passport to Healthy Gardens Organic Garden and Sustainable Living Tour" - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 14. Proceeds benefit the local sustainability work of the Corvallis Northwest Earth Institute. Explore 10 different tour stops that include small intensive gardens, "beyond organic" farming, artful ornamental gardens, an urban homestead complete with solar, and a straw-bale yoga studio in the making. Tickets are $8 in advance, available at both First Alternative Co-op stores, Grass Roots Books & Music, Inside Out Garden Visions, Home Grown Gardens, Shonnard's Nursery, Garland Nursery and Tom's Garden Center in North Albany. Tickets are $10 the day of event, and they're available at the first stop, 1363 N.W. Taylor Ave. (enter on 14th Street). Participants 12 and under free. For more information, call 752-3517 or e-mail cnwei@peak.org. The event is sponsored by the Northwest Earth Institute, Gaia Landscapes, Green Cascades Land Planning and Site Design and Sweet Yoga.

Naturescaping in the City: 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, beginning Sept. 16 for six weeks. This garden-design course will be held at Fire Station No. 5 off Walnut Boulevard. The fee is $75 or $100 for two from the same household. Register at www.corvallisenvironmentalcenter.

org/. Sponsored by the Corvallis Environmental Center, the Institute for Applied Ecology and the Benton Soil and Water Conservation District.

Peak Oil: Status and Prospects: 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 18, at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. This presentation is by John Kaufamann, senior policy analyst, Oregon Department of Energy. For more information contact Annette Mills, amills@virginiavillageproduction.com. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Corvallis.

Kids Day for Conservation: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Benton County Fairgrounds. A free, fun, hands-on natural resource education event for families. It's sponsored by more than 35 local agencies, organizations and businesses.

Bicycle birding: 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 28, meet at the Avery Park Rose Garden, 1210 S.W. Avery Park Drive. Bring bicycle helmet, water and binoculars. Group will ride slowly, listen for birds and stop often. Usually less than 10 miles. Call Don Boucher for more information, 753-7689 or bouchdon@peak.org.

Menu for the future: 7 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. beginning Oct. 1 at Corvallis High School, Room T239. This six-session Northwest Earth Institute course explores food systems and impacts on culture, society and ecological health, and explores how our food choices can create and support a more sustainable food system. $20 materials fee payable to NWEI at first meeting. For more information call 752-3517 or cnwei@peak.org. Sponsored by Corvallis Northwest Earth Institute and the Benton Center.

Maureen Beezhold coordinates the local chapter of the Northwest Earth Institute and is assistant coordinator for the Corvallis chapter of the Oregon Natural Step Network. For information on any of these projects, call 752-3517.