• Ask Mark
    • Search the Library
    • Mark’s Blog
    • eNewsletter / Subscribe
    • Books
    • Links
  • Cullen’s Foods
  • Trees For Life
  • Events
    • Gardening Communities
  • About Mark
    • Mark and Ben’s Bio
    • Book Mark as a Speaker
    • Mark in the Media
    • Contact Us
July 2, 2014

Arctic Greenhouses

Living in the Toronto area, I have a lot to be thankful for when it comes to the food we put out on our table. And it’s not just the food, it’s the year round access to fresh, decently priced food from the grocery stores, local farms, and farmers’ markets. There is just so much variety here that it’s easy to forget that not everyone in this vast country has these same opportunities.

Take, for example, the north. I’m not talking about cottage country; I’m talking Northern Quebec, Kuujjuaq to be precise, where the average temperature from June to August is 14°C and the average July day sees only 6.6 hours of possible sunshine. Of that 6.6 hours, about 62.2% is being filtered through clouds.

Needless to say, they don’t have backyard veggie gardens in Kuujjuaq and the cost of food is hard to believe (I’ve seen figures as high as $20 for a cabbage…). But, thanks to Ellen Avard, the Kuujjuaq community has better, more reliable food to look forward to.

The Kuujjuaq Greenhouse Project

Ellen Avard is a Laval University PhD candidate who has introduced greenhouses to the Nunavik people in Kuujjuaq. They currently have two greenhouses, a refurbished old one and a recently built new one.

More than just a greenhouse, the Kuujjuaq Greenhouse Project is working towards improving social, economic, and food security. Volunteers helped to build the greenhouses and currently help to maintain them. Kids and adults alike are learning first-hand the benefits of recycling and the importance of working together.

The need for good soil was one of the largest problems and so the “Compost Project” was started. Not only did it provide the greenhouses with highly nutritious growing medium, it reduced landfill waste, created employment, and brought together multiple companies within the community.

How It Works
Community members are given certain portions of the greenhouses and, much like a community garden, they are responsible for that plot of space. School children have the opportunity to tour the greenhouses, participate in planting, watering, and harvesting – a worthwhile exercise in helping young children see where their food comes from.

Growing food in these cooler remote areas is not impossible – it simply takes one motivated mind to inspire others and bring together those who just need a little push to get started. What a great project this is and it will be an interesting one to follow.

Check out Kuujjuaq Greenhouse on Facebook too!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

← Previous post
Meet the Spittlebug

Next post →
Give Grafting a Go

Search

Recent Posts

  • Signs of Spring March 27, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week February 2, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week January 11, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week December 9, 2020

Mark’s Blog by Month

Ask Mark

  • eNewsletter
  • Radio/Podcast
  • Magazine article
  • Newspaper column
  • TV

Recent Tweets

Mark Cullen Follow

Best selling Canadian gardening author as seen on TV, radio, online and print.

MarkCullen4
12 Jan

This was a great way to start the new year. Congratulations, Landscape Ontario, on this milestone! Thanks to all who made it happen. We’re looking forward to the next one.

#TreesForLife #Congress #LOCongress #ClimateAction #GoGreen #HOHTC

Reply on Twitter 1613670790612017153 Retweet on Twitter 1613670790612017153 5 Like on Twitter 1613670790612017153 5 Twitter 1613670790612017153
14 Nov

Likewise, Rocco!

Reply on Twitter 1592247424441290752 Retweet on Twitter 1592247424441290752 Like on Twitter 1592247424441290752 3 Twitter 1592247424441290752
3 Nov

The Highway of Heroes Tree Tribute will grow for generations.

Over 2 million trees for the women and men who have served in the @CanadianForces since Confederation. @MarkCullen4 @HOHTribute @CdnTreesforLife
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/over-two-million-trees-planted-along-highway-of-heroes-in-eight-year-long-tribute-to-veterans-1.6136352

Reply on Twitter 1588203194349285377 Retweet on Twitter 1588203194349285377 2 Like on Twitter 1588203194349285377 5 Twitter 1588203194349285377
3 Nov

A very special day- with thanks for your support going back to the beginning of this campaign!

Reply on Twitter 1587983198251847681 Retweet on Twitter 1587983198251847681 2 Like on Twitter 1587983198251847681 10 Twitter 1587983198251847681

Comments are closed.

About Mark and Ben


Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author & broadcaster and holds the Order of Canada. His son Ben is a fourth-generation urban gardener and graduate of Guelph and Dalhousie University.
More

Find Mark On

Sponsored Links

Highway of Heroes cullensfoods Share Agriculture Foundation Harrowsmith
© Mark Cullen. Go to top ↑