In Glen Vowell, near the shores of the Skeena River, an expanded hydroponic vegetable growing operation has been completed, nearly four months after being approved for a $130,632 Economic Infrastructure grant. The project went exactly as planned and resulted in a reliable doubled supply of fresh produce available to community members.
“We are very appreciative of the grant from Northern Development,” said Chief Tony Sampare. “This project is so important to the community and the demand for fresh produce on the Gitxsan Territories, and neighbouring territories is so high that we can’t keep up. Adding a second growing system is a welcome addition.”
In 2023, the Glen Vowell Band established their first hydroponic growing system under the brand Skeena Fresh. Cleverly, the first growing system is modular, and was designed to be readily added to. The hydroponic growing operation allows producers to have consistent yields in a carefully climate-controlled environment. The design is incredibly efficient and facilitates the production of high quality, nutritious food with minimal input: the system uses 90 percent less water than traditional farming methods and requires significantly less land.
The primary goal for the project was to bolster the community’s food security and food sovereignty by expanding their sustainable source of food production. The extended operations also resulted in two new employment opportunities in the community through the positions of Farm Operations Assistant. These half-time positions provide steady, reliable work as the indoor growing system is not subject to the same responsiveness to the seasons. These employees are certified through the food system supplier’s Commercial Hydroponic Farm Operator training program.
As a result of the expansion projects, the farm yield capacity has doubled from 672 mature plants per week to 1,344. This directly correlates to an expected doubling of customers from the community and surrounding area. This means approximately 1,200 people will be eating fresh, healthy, locally grown food throughout the year.
The Economic Infrastructure program supports projects of regional and local significant that contribute to stronger communities and economic growth. Non-profits, First Nations governments, wholly-owned First Nation Development Corporations, and non-profits are all eligible to apply.
