Food is a cornerstone to resilient communities. Currently our food system is based on long supply chains, and cheap, readily available food. Climate pressures and growing geopolitical instability threaten the affordability and accessibility of food. This project will engage our community with solutions that

- demonstrate how to grow nutrient dense food year round, even in the middle of winter
- transform organic waste into soil amendments that help grow food
- gather residents to connect, support and enjoy food grown locally

Hydroponic gardening is method of growing plants without soil. It’s a way to nurture a huge variety of edible plants (think herbs, veggies, even some fruits) indoors all year round, regardless of what Mother Nature is doing outside your door.

Composting is nature’s way of recycling. It is one of the most powerful actions we can take to reduce our trash, address climate change, and build healthy soil. By turning our food scraps into compost, we can transform our waste streams into a beneficial, value-added soil amendment and use it to protect the environment and create resilient communities.

We aren’t quite sure yet. If you are a landowner and would like to discuss opportunities of siting the farm please get in touch via the contact us page.

A well-managed compost pile should produce very little smell. The unit we are looking at has many engineered features in place to decrease smells and wildlife interactions. These features include ventilation, an enclosed unit and regular blending.

So far to date the steering committee includes:

• Community Connections Society of Southeast BC, Sophie Larsen and Meredith Funston

• Kootenay Employment Services, Kerstin Renner, Regional Community Development Manager

• Wildsight, Sharon Cross, Brand Board Director; Ali Hadikin, Community Coordinator 

• BC Ministry of Agriculture, Jeffrey Nimmo, Regional Agrologist

• College of the Rockies, Deborah Carty, Vice President, External Relations

• Interior health, Seamus Damström, Public Health Dietitian

Current manufacture projections are approximately 5500lbs annually or approximately 656 heads of lettuce each week. Obviously these values can fluctuate greatly depending on the crop. We will be valuing high quality/ high nutrient over high volumes.   Produce grown will be both given away to those in need as well as sold to those looking for a fresh, locally grown product, that supports a food security project.

Produce for those experiencing food insecurity will be available through Cranbrook Food Recovery’s distribution model. Cranbrook Food Recovery currently partners with various food aid organizations including Cranbrook Food Bank, the Salvation Army, Bellies to Babies, Womens Resource, Street Angels, Ankors, and schools.

For those looking to purchase greens, the distribution model has not yet been determined. We anticipate greens will be available through local food retailers.

Once the farm is up and running there will be lots of volunteer opportunities. Please check often as we will post opportunities as they develop. Have an idea of how you can help? Please use the contact us tab of this website.

This project is a social enterprise with a steering committee comprised of many community non-profit organizations. The primary goal is to grow food for those in need. The majority of produce will be donated to individuals experiencing food insecurity through food aid such as the Cranbrook Food Bank, the Salvation Army, Street Angels, Ankors, and schools. A portion of the produce grown will be sold to pay for farm operations.

If you didn’t find what you were looking for on this website we might not have it yet, but we would be more than happy to respond to an email to the best of our abilities.  Reach out on our Contact us page.

This is a community project and it would not be possible, or amazing, without the awesome support of our neighbors. Click on our "donate" button at the top of this page!