Northern First Nations are planting seeds of sustainability and food security as they plan to distribute hydroponic farm towers to cultivate a greener future in communities.
Mushkegowuk Council has announced its distribution of 20 hydroponic farm towers to support sustainable agriculture in Mushkegowuk communities. The deadline to apply is July 26.
A hydroponic tower is a method of growing plants vertically without a transitional use of soil and allows individuals to grow a high density of plants in a small footprint.
The tower requires two hours of regular maintenance per month and can produce year-round. It can grow up to 25 plus pounds of fresh food every 28 days, harvests up to 3,400 plants annually.
Individuals interested in receiving a tower must submit a letter outlining a management plan including maintenance strategies, labour allocation, where the tower will be located and long-term financial support for the system.
“We encourage you to describe the potential impact on food security within your community, as well as any educational or social programs that may be enhanced or developed through the project,” Mushkegowuk Council wrote in a release.
“We look forward to reviewing proposals and fostering a future of thriving, self-sufficient communities.”
For each tower that’s distributed, one person will be trained to manage it.
Mushkegowuk members or an organization in the Mushkegowuk community — such as schools, youth centres and health centres, for example — as well as Mushkegowuk communities — Attawapiskat, Kashewchewan, Fort Albany, Moose Cree, Taykwa Tagamou, Missanabie and Chapleau Cree — are all eligible to apply.
In order for the tower to operate, it requires access to a standard 15A plug outlet with two spaces, one for the light and one for the pump. No water hook-up is required as it can be filled with a bucket, a pitcher, or a hose. The required space for the tower is five feet by five feet in an indoor heated space.
Included in the hydroponic tower is a fully self-contained water system, energy efficient LED light tower, submersible pump, grower toolkit and starter supplies box. The towers will be shipped at no cost to the 20 recipients.
Applications can be sent to food security manager Amber Nakogee here.
