At last, my first attempt to merge a love for the North with a passion for food security. Du-na-na-na… introducing The C.A.N (Continuous Alert Nourishment) *pics below*, which will hopefully be the world’s most northern food production system (no plants yet)!
Like many remote communities in the North, Alerts food supply is entirely reliant on planes, which of course are notorious for not showing up (see previous post). We often go weeks without a flight which also means weeks without fresh produce. I see a need for something like this here, so I have made it my new mission to grow fresh produce on site all year round in hopes to contribute to a more self-sufficient, sustainable base.
The picture above is the “proof of concept” system I set up in our ECCC warehouse. This was a preliminary trial to show everyone (particularly the Command Team) that I can indeed grow things and that this is indeed a good idea! People on station have been coming down to pick lettuce and watch the basil grow for over two weeks now! I think it’s safe to say I have their support=)
I’ve spent the summer renovating this old sea container which was previously rusting away in the dump, providing a home for a generator that was written off in 2013. It is now fully enclosed, has a new (and insulated) floor (shout out Heavy 5), two rooms (so the plants don’t get cold shocked), power, two heaters (thank you Hydro-Dan), a (slightly iffy) air exchange system, and a few other tid-bits:p I’m currently chipping away on the plumbing side of things while I wait on lights to show up (i.e., our artificial sunshine). Waiting on a plane… how typical;) More updates to come!
This is sensational Molly! What a legacy you will leave behind when you exit Alert for the last time (in 11 months and one week – not that i’m counting 🙂
Go Molly! Ingenuity, commitment and a handsaw. Yay! Different ways are possible. ❤️ Thanks for sharing. Love you.
This is so impressive Moll. I can’t wait to see what comes of C.A.N. Love you sweets.
Wow! As an environmental professional and fellow human, I am so happy to see cool projects like this! Phenomenal concept and great work 🙂