In the villages, where fresh produce is scarce and expensive, Kawerak’s Environmental Program is supporting regional food sovereignty initiatives by offering 12’ x 20’ winterized greenhouse kits to communities.
“The intention of the project is to allow communities to develop food security on a local level, producing fresh foods for people in our villages, especially where fresh produce is rare,” said Kawerak’s Environmental Director Anahma Shannnon.
The Environmental Department worked with Grizzly Building Supply in Nome to design a greenhouse kit suitable for shipping throughout the region. The kits come with all the necessary pieces to construct a 12’ x 20’ greenhouse. With these new greenhouses and a few green thumbs, seven villages in the Bering Strait Region now have more access to healthy food options with locally grown fresh produce.
Unalakleet received their greenhouse last year, and volunteers are enjoying their first growing season this summer. Cassandra Johnson is volunteering to manage the new facility. Planning ahead, she started her plants from seed in March, storing them in the Unalakleet Covenant Church’s auditorium. The greenhouse structure went up this spring, once the snow melted.
Cassandra checks on vining cucumbers in the Unalakleet greenhouse.
Today, smells of basil and dill fill the greenhouse. Lemon balm and brussels sprouts emerge from the soil. Young pickling cucumbers climb their trellises, and bright green tomato stalks are shooting up already.
One of Cassandra’s goals is to spark more interest in farming from the community, starting with the youth. This spring, students from the school helped plant the potatoes, giving each a name. When they harvest this fall, the students will pick the ones they named.
“Unalakleet used to be the biggest farming hub in the region. It would be cool to get people more excited, but I think getting the students excited is a great place to start,” said Cassandra.
Cassandra plans for the first harvest to be donated to Unalakleet’s Elder Lunch Program that is run by the Native Village of Unalakleet (NVU). She will have pickles made with fresh dill, tomatoes, and potatoes to share with the Elders.
“I feel like us Natives appreciate food more when it comes from the land, especially having fresh produce and knowing where it came from,” said Cassandra.
For now, Cassandra is offering free seeds and fertilizers for community members to bring the garden to their homes. In the future, Cassandra hopes to upgrade the flooring to prevent mold and increase durability, get a dehydrator to preserve the produce through the winter, and create a plant starter program where she distributes juvenile plants to community members.
Anahma said the Environmental Department is hoping to spread the interest in gardening throughout the communities, not just at the greenhouse sites. Once the greenhouse is going and interest begins to build, the hope is that more community members will take advantage of seeds and early season starts, bringing fresh produce growing in their own homes as well.
Anahma said, “I think it has the potential to inspire residents to grow their own food, greenhouses can help start seeds which people can then take to their own personal gardens.”
Kawerak‘s Environmental program still has greenhouses available for distribution to Bering Strait region communities upon request. If you’re interested in coordinating a greenhouse in your community, contact Anahma Shannon: ashannon@kawerak.org.
