The Grow NWT Agrifood conference was an opportunity for enthusiasts to learn anything agriculture, from herding reindeer to managing your very own greenhouse.
Reygan Solotki, one of the presenters at the conference in the Explorer Hotel on Feb. 24, spoke about how residents can grow food locally and she addressed a common misconception related to agriculture in the North.
SA国际影视传媒淚 always laugh about people asking how much sunlight is required because they have this idea that thereSA国际影视传媒檚 not enough in the North,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚n fact, we have too much.
SA国际影视传媒淵ouSA国际影视传媒檙e getting 24 hours of sun for most of the growing period or at least 18 hours of sun.
SA国际影视传媒淓verything needs to sleep, including your tomatoes.SA国际影视传媒�
She said that the growing season in the NWT is also very long, which is a good thing.
SA国际影视传媒淔rom February until November, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 usually around 14 to 16 hours of sunlight minimum, and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 the sweet spot for growing youSA国际影视传媒檙e looking for.
For those determined to grow in the cold, insulation is one of the keys.
SA国际影视传媒淵ou can do some simple insulation techniques: use a nice polycarbonate greenhouse, (stone wool) flooring; we use an insulated tarp on the outside that we keep fully closed at night and we lift it up when the sun is going down so that that heat comes in; water ponds for thermal mass as well as black beds.SA国际影视传媒�
Solotki suggests taking advantage of the resources around you to create a practical garden.
SA国际影视传媒淵ou have heat at home,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淵ou put your greenhouse next to your home, next to your building, next to your workplace. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 exhaust heat being wasted.
SA国际影视传媒淵ou can grow food in your house with a simple light. Do sprouting in jars if thatSA国际影视传媒檚 all you can do.
SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 so many innovative ways to grow your own food without breaking the bank.SA国际影视传媒�
Brian Wade, director of the Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization and another conference speaker, manages a team that herds approximately 3,000 reindeer in the Beaufort Delta.
SA国际影视传媒淲e have a little bit of growth to do before we feel to confident enough to start harvesting them,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭he main goal is to be able to cull these animals and feed the Inuvialuit people later on.SA国际影视传媒�
Shirley Coumont, community liaison officer for North Slave Metis Alliance, said that her pursuit of agriculture began as a child when she was stricken with illness.
A medical professional told her that time spent in her garden was part of her recovery.
SA国际影视传媒淗e said that was the way for me to heal quicker, to be outside, especially in the garden because of its healing properties,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭hat stuck with me.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淓ven though my body was sick, my chest was fully congested, I was on my way to healing and it was a beautiful experience. ISA国际影视传媒檒l never forget it.SA国际影视传媒�
In 2021, she decided that she wanted to be in the agriculture industry. She had been gardening since the year 2000.
SA国际影视传媒淚t became a passion when I was a young mother and had a trailer, had a yard, and did everything.
SA国际影视传媒淚t wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 until reconciliation day in 2021 that there was a shift. I was in the backyard, feeding my soul, connecting with the Earth, and working with the land to prepare it for the next summerSA国际影视传媒檚 gardening.
SA国际影视传媒淚 felt happy and whole. As a life coach, I was always looking for that way how I could help others in the North to connect.SA国际影视传媒�
The two-day event, which started on Thursday, was hosted by the Territorial Agrifood Association and sponsored by the federal and territorial governments, Riverside Growers, the NWT Egg Producers Board, the North Slave Metis Alliance and North Creative Agency.
