Northern teaching farm takes crops out of the cold
Innovative cold-climate greenhouse project promotes healthier and more sustainable communities in the North.
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Investing in sustainable communities
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada's (CIRNAC) climate change programs have been supporting communities to adopt clean energy and adapt to climate change since 2001.
Climate change has impacted Indigenous and northern communities much more than others, amid other challenges such as:
- remote locations
- aging and inefficient infrastructure
- reliance on diesel fuel
Reviving Northern agriculture
One community that's leading in climate change adaptations is the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation.
The Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in established a farm in 2014 southeast of Dawson City, Yukon to help:
- revive northern farming
- provide a sustainable, local supply of organic food
The farm partnered with Yukon College (now Yukon University) to offer hands-on training for students in an environment tied to the land and surrounding First Nations.
Through its efforts, the farm brought the community together to:
- address climate change impacts
- find solutions to food insecurity
Innovative technology extends the growing season in the North
The Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in recently started a new project: a 3,000 square-foot energy-efficient cold-climate greenhouse. The greenhouse will use biomass energy as a renewable source of heat.
The project got $500,000 from CIRNAC's Climate Change Preparedness in the North Program. It also won a $500,000 Arctic Inspiration Prize in 2018.
Biomass energy is the burning of wood and other biological waste products to heat water. Excess heat is stored in a thermal tank or buffer vessel for later use. With modern heating systems, the boilers can be up to 80% more efficient than traditional fossil fuel boilers.
By shifting away from fossil fuels, the greenhouse can greatly reduce its environmental footprint.
Norma Blanchard is working her second summer at the farm. The kale, carrots, turnips and big raspberries are her favourite farm fresh foods, but she says the best part is "the fresh air, and getting out of town where there's peace and quiet and relaxing."
Food security in the North
The greenhouse will also extend the growing season for up to 10 months. This will enable the farm to provide the community with an ongoing source of locally grown food using clean, renewable energy.
"We continue to provide support to the farm," said Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Chief Roberta Joseph, "because we strongly feel that food security is important."
The greenhouse project benefits the whole community, offering nearby communities:
- a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the year
- job opportunities and skills building
- a chance to learn about cold climate agriculture options and innovative technology
Farm manager Derek Hastings explains: "We're trying to engage in very innovative solutions to food security, energy, and also using this farm as a way to employ people that are generally marginalized and have limited opportunities to employment, and trying to inspire youth to develop a good work ethic, as they start their career."
Building a green, healthy and self-sufficient future
Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in joins a growing number of Indigenous and northern communities working toward a green, healthy and self-sufficient future.
"The only way that we can make changes," Chief Joseph added, "is to continue working on projects like these and hopefully that will bloom in the community as well."