Arctic Research Foundation’s greenhouse project – growing green in the great white north.
The Arctic Research Foundation calls its new greenhouse project in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut, Canada the northernmost agriculture pod in the world. Named Nauvik (Inuit for “the growing place”) the project is funded by the Foundation, along with help from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the National Research Council of Canada, and the Canadian Space Agency.
Located on a hill near a bay (a high wind area recommended by the elders) the research station and grow pod project is only a few minutes ride by snowmobile from town. The facility consists of two shipping containers, two SD6 wind turbines, a solar array of 14.4kW and a generator for backup.
Used to grow vegetables, the goal of the project is to reduce food insecurity, while researching the most efficient means of growing food in remote, harsh environments. The project was stood up in October 2019 and by the end of November, Agriculture Canada had already harvested more than 1kg of Microgreens and distributed them to the elders.
Although the techniques learned at Nauvik are providing real-time benefits to the local community, the knowledge gained will also help future researchers develop methods for growing food in an even more inhospitable environment – space.
Richard Caldow, Business Development Director at SD Wind Energy calls it “A fantastic project bringing sustainable energy to a remote region.” The company continues to support the project and provide technical expertise in efforts to ensure its success.