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Nak’azdli greenhouse plans first steps

Nak’azdli Band has received final confirmation of a $200,000 grant towards a major greenhouse project.

Nak’azdli Band has received final confirmation of a $200,000 grant towards a major greenhouse project.

The grant would go towards building a sizeable heated greenhouse to extend the growing season and supply Sana’aih Market with fresh, local produce for part of the year.

The money, from Agriculture Agrifood Canada, is part of a federal government strategic partnership initiative.

The band applied in July of 2011 and was then invited to submit a full proposal in September of 2011, which they then did.

The band has since received a formal confirmation letter and can finally begin some planning of implementing the sizeable project.

Erica Nitchie, First Nations agrologist for the BC Ministry of Agriculture was in town to meet with Nak’azdli representatives on Sept. 18.

Nitchie was going to help with some planning details, which were necessary to accommodate schedule changes after the delays in the project’s approval.

The hope is to get some initial work done before winter in order to be able to “hit the ground running as soon as the snow is gone next spring” according to Nitchie.

The total project cost is estimated at $295,000.

Leonard Thomas is working on the project for the Nak’azdli Band and was not available for comment prior to press time, but watch for further details in the future.