A Fernie-based container farm is set to begin operations in the spring. Evergreens Farm will be operated by Wildsight Elk Valley, with Sami Biernan at the helm as lead grower.
"The main goal is to create more access to food-growing spaces and local food year-round," said Biernan. "It'll be located on the same land that our community garden currently is."
"We're able to have consistent and reliable food production in an area where we otherwise have around 90 frost-free days," said Biernan. "It increases our ability to produce food, especially in the winter in Fernie, where we can have a harsh climate."
Once in full swing, the 10 by 50-foot Evergreens Farm could produce about 500 heads of leafy greens per week. Biernan said this represents a major step for local food security.
"We're mostly reliant on these industrial supply chains, and as we saw during COVID, they're susceptible to collapse or failure," said Biernan. "By investing in local food systems, we're able to shorten the supply chain and ultimately create more resistance in our own community."
Wildsight officials said lettuce produced at Evergreen Farm will be available at the Local Store, Fernie grocery stores, and some local restaurants and donated to vulnerable residents.
Source: My East Kootenay Now