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
Presentation Outline
• Introduction
• Context & Background
• Perspectives
• Results
• Challenges
• Discussion
• Conclusion
Kuujjuaq Greenhouse – Summer 2012
Introduction
 Location:
Kuujjuaq, Nunavik – QC
www.canadawilderness.com/maps
Kuujjuaq
Ellen Avard, 2012
www.makivik.org/images/map/01_nunavik.gif
Research Problem
 Food security issues in northern villages
For example :
- availability, quality
and cost of fresh
fruit and vegetables.
Objective
 To develop a model of a sustainable, greenhouse-
based 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

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.
Context & Background
Greenhouses in
The North & the Kuujjuaq Project
Ellen Avard, 2011
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
Inuvik Community
Greenhouse Society,
2009
http://www.taiga.net/yourYukon/col427.html,
2012
Sara Minogue, 2009
 Research Sites



Qaqortoq - Greenland
Devon Island - Nunavut, Canada
Kuujjuarapik - Nunavik, Canada
Ellen Avard, 2011
www.nunalerineq.gl/english/uperna/index-uperna
Background – Kuujjuaq Project
• Preliminary Study – 2009
• Revealed precedents for greenhouses &
gardening in Kuujjuaq and in Nunavik
•
•
•
Catholic & Anglican Missions; Hudson Bay Company
Government Farm 1950-60; Potatoes at Fort Chimo
Community Greenhouse; Personal Greenhouses
Elena Labranche, 2010
Alix Gordon, 2009
Doris Whitely, 2008
Results - Preliminary Study (2009)
 Overall, community members thought that it was a
good idea to have a greenhouse project in Kuujjuaq:
25
20
15
10
5
0
Very poor
Poor
Accept.
Good
Very good
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”
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
Kuujjuaq Greenhouse Project
Results – Phase 1 & 2
-
Ellen Avard, 2012
Community Garden
Eva Gunn, 2012
Ellen Avard, 2012
New Greenhouse
Isabelle Champagne, 2011
Ellen Avard & Dollie Campbell, 2012
Compost
Ellen Avard & Jacques Bertrand, 2012
Potatoes
Ellen Avard, 2012
Supervised Apartments
Ellen Avard, 2012
School – Grade 4’s visit
Ellen Avard, 2012
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)
Personal Gardening Initiatives
Ellen Avard , 2012
Media
Ellen Avard, Allison Flowers & Annie Cloutier, 2012
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:


International Centre for Northern Governance & Development


Study commissioned: “Understanding Sustainable Northern
Greenhouse Technologies for Creating Economic Development”
“Northern Food Security Conference: The Greenhouse Solution”
Kativik Regional Government:

“Nunavik Food Production Conference”
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....
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
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.
Thank-you
- Nakurmiik -
QUESTIONS ?