The Kuujjuaq Greenhouse Project

Transcription

1 Northern Food Security: The Greenhouse Solution November 7-8, 2012 The International Centre for Northern Governance and Development Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Ellen Avard - PhD Candidate Department of Geography Université Laval The Kuujjuaq Greenhouse Project

2 Presentation Outline Introduction Context & Background Perspectives Results Challenges Discussion Conclusion Kuujjuaq Greenhouse Summer 2012

3 Introduction Location: Kuujjuaq, Nunavik QC Kuujjuaq Ellen Avard,

4 Research Problem Food security issues in northern villages For example : - availability, quality and cost of fresh fruit and vegetables.

5 Objective To develop a model of a sustainable, greenhousebased local food system in the North; One that could address social, economic and environmental issues at that same time as it targets food security Comprehensive Multifaceted

6 Methodology Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) CBPR is scientific inquiry that equitably involves both community stakeholders and investigators at all levels of the research process from design to dissemination (1). (1) Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Centre (2010) Community-Based Participatory Research.

7 Context & Background Greenhouses in The North & the Kuujjuaq Project Ellen Avard, 2011

8 Examples of Greenhouses in the North Community Gardens Inuvik - Northwest Territories, Canada Iqaluit - Nunavut, Canada Dawson City - Yukon, Canada Commercial Operations Carmacks - Yukon, Canada Narsaq - Greenland Hverageroi - Iceland Research Sites Qaqortoq - Greenland Devon Island - Nunavut, Canada Kuujjuarapik - Nunavik, Canada Ellen Avard, 2011 Inuvik Community Greenhouse Society, 2009 Sara Minogue,

9 Background Kuujjuaq Project Preliminary Study 2009 Revealed precedents for greenhouses & gardening in Kuujjuaq and in Nunavik Catholic & Anglican Missions; Hudson Bay Company Government Farm ; Potatoes at Fort Chimo Community Greenhouse; Personal Greenhouses Alix Gordon, 2009 Elena Labranche, 2010 Doris Whitely, 2008

10 Results - Preliminary Study (2009) Overall, community members thought that it was a good idea to have a greenhouse project in Kuujjuaq: Very poor Poor Accept. Good Very good

11 Community Perspectives Food production/nutrition a good idea, but also... Can we use the greenhouse project for: Job creation? Social re-integration & horticultural therapy? Activities for children and youth? Flowers? Social Economy Project (local) ->Use greenhouse to help build Community Capacity

12 Development of Project 2010: Local, regional and provincial organizations back greenhouse pilot project 2011: Kuujjuaq Greenhouse Project Phase 1 Planning and development of horticultural micro-projects 2012: Kuujjuaq Greenhouse Project Phase 2 Further development of horticultural micro-projects

13 Kuujjuaq Greenhouse Project Results Phase 1 & 2 - Ellen Avard, 2012

14 Community Garden Eva Gunn, 2012 Ellen Avard, 2012

15 New Greenhouse Isabelle Champagne, 2011 Ellen Avard & Dollie Campbell, 2012

16 Compost Ellen Avard & Jacques Bertrand, 2012

17 Potatoes Ellen Avard, 2012

18 Supervised Apartments Ellen Avard, 2012

19 School Grade 4 s visit Ellen Avard, 2012

20 Possible Future Projects: Youth Project KRG s Youth Employment Services Y.E.S. NV Kuujjuaq s Summer Camp Hydroponics Pilot Project -> Eventual Commercial Operation Aquaponics Pilot Project -> Eventual Commercial Operation * Salluit Greenhouse Project (sister project)

21 Personal Gardening Initiatives Ellen Avard, 2012

22 Media Ellen Avard, Allison Flowers & Annie Cloutier, 2012

23 Where are we now... Multifaceted initiative (addresses many issues) Sustainable Development!!! Increasing interest across the North: Greenhouse development included in Quebec s Plan Nord Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada: Study commissioned: Understanding Sustainable Northern Greenhouse Technologies for Creating Economic Development International Centre for Northern Governance & Development Northern Food Security Conference: The Greenhouse Solution Kativik Regional Government: Nunavik Food Production Conference

24 Challenges (things that need to be addressed) Community appropriation of idea Project developed to fit specific needs of community (NO cut & paste) Local human resources (i.e.: project coordinator) * KEY to long-term success Communication Inside community (feedback from residents) Outside networking (learning & sharing ) - media* Cost & financing Transportation of materials and supplies Long timeline...

25 Discussion Challenges can give rise to innovative solutions... Challenge: Needed Good Quality Soil Solution: COMPOST PROJECT Results: Created soil Diverted waste from landfill Integrated companies into the community Created employment for people with disabilities

26 Conclusion When local agriculture and food production are integrated into the community, food becomes part of a community s problemsolving capacity, rather than just a commodity that is bought and sold (2). Ellen Avard, 2012 (2) HELLER, M. (2005) Food Connection: Capitol Area Community Food Profile. C. S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at Michigan State University.

27 Thank-you - Nakurmiik - QUESTIONS?