Nipissing First Nation is putting the final touches on a new greenhouse project—the Mnogin Greenhouse (pronounced Mi-noh-gin, with a hard ‘g’)—and all should be complete early in the new year.
The structures are in place—they were delivered to Jocko Point in mid-November—however, the greenhouses are not yet operational, as the water and hydro have yet to be connected. But they will be operational soon, and once they are, expect a bounty of lettuce and other leafy greens.
At least, that’s what’s on deck for the first few harvests. Produce may change with time as more space is added, but the greenhouses are going to provide an estimated 15,000 kilograms of greens annually, and that’s a lot of lettuce.
Romaine and butterhead, to be exact, mingled with some Asian greens, and some herbs like mint and basil. Such are the greens destined to fill the greenhouses, which are about the same size as a sea can, or the trailer on a big rig. Each section is 40 feet long, 10 feet wide, and just over 8 feet high. There is the one used for packing and preparing the produce, and three units connect to it, and those three are the grow units.
It’s a unique addition to the community, noted Nipissing First Nation Chief Scott McLeod. Not only will the greenhouses provide nutritious produce year-round, but the greenhouse creates some new work in the community. As of now, two jobs have been created, and if the project works, more grow units will be added, and more jobs could follow.
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