Monday, November 24, 2014

Lax Kw'alaams Greenhouse project aims for healthier food choices for community

Conceptual image of what
Lax Kw'alaams Greenhouse Project
May look like upon completion
(photo from Lax Kw'alaams website)
A program close to two years in the making is about of find some forward momentum as the Lax Kw'alaams Community Greenhouse project moves one step closer to getting underway.

Back in January of 2013 the Lax Kw'alaams Healthy Communities Committee first proposed the concept of building a community greenhouse, providing for healthier food choices for the community and to bring the return of gardening to the people of Lax Kw'alaams.

Following the initial stage of review for the proposal, the committee decided on a 26 foot Green House Dome from Growing Spaces.  Towards getting the project underway the Committee applied for and received some 22,000 dollars in funding to go towards construction of the structure.

Two students participating in the Agriculture and Fish Processing Program in Prince Rupert have been hired on, along with a few members of the community to build and set up the Green House.

Once that has been done, the process of planting, maintenance and then harvesting of the crops will take place. With the committee looking for the involvement of the youth in the community to help with all of those requirements.

As for the crops, the plan to this point is to have vegetables make up 60 percent of the planting, with 20 percent dedicated towards fruits and the final 20 percent to be used for health and medicinal purposes.

Suggestions for the Committee are being welcomed as to what those living in Lax Kw'alaams would like to see planted in the Green House Garden, as well they have issued the call to the community for donations of tools, equipment, seeds and money to help move the project further towards completion.

No timeline related to the construction and planting schedule has been provided as of yet.

You can review more information on the project from the Lax Kw'alaams website

For more items related to events at Lax Kw'alaams see our archive page here.


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