North Dakota Tribe Invests $76 Million in Groundbreaking Greenhouse Complex
I have been catching up on some reading over the last few days and stumbled on this article by Buffalo's Fire.
Tribe's Giant Greenhouse to Revitalize Ancestral Agriculture Decades After Flooding
Chairman Highlights $76M Greenhouse Project, Reviving Tribe's Agricultural Heritage
Tribal Chairman Mark Fox emphasized the historical significance of this project, noting that the tribe has a rich agricultural heritage, having once been a vital part of an aboriginal trade center. The initial phase of the project, costing approximately $76 million, includes not only the greenhouse but also a warehouse and other facilities near Parshall, North Dakota. The greenhouse, slated to be partially operational this summer, will initially produce leafy greens, tomatoes, and strawberries.
Massive Greenhouse to Boost Food Production and Jobs
The first phase of the greenhouse will cover an area equivalent to seven football fields with glass. The tribe plans to expand the facility over the coming years to cover around 14.5 acres, potentially making it one of the world's largest of its kind. The goal is to produce nearly 2 million pounds of food annually, eventually increasing to 12 to 15 million pounds per year. This effort is expected to create 30 to 35 jobs initially.
The project addresses a long-standing challenge of obtaining fresh produce on the remote Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, which is far from North Dakota’s major cities. The greenhouses will provide food for the 8,300 residents of the reservation and other nearby areas. Additionally, the tribe aims to support food banks in isolated regions and export surplus produce.
Tribal Food Sovereignty Movement Gains Momentum with Federal Support
This initiative aligns with a broader national movement towards tribal food sovereignty, which gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal aid has helped tribes across the nation invest in their food systems, including building underground greenhouses and meat processing plants. The USDA’s Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative further supports these efforts by promoting indigenous food practices and resources.
Access to potable water and natural gas resources has been crucial for the tribe’s greenhouse plans. The tribe intends to capture and utilize natural gas from the Bakken oil field to heat and power the greenhouse, addressing environmental concerns associated with gas flaring.
This plan not only aims to restore the tribe’s agricultural independence but also ensures sustainable and environmentally conscious practices. How exciting is this for North Dakota, and the reservation? Congratulations to all involved!
LOOK: Food history from the year you were born
Gallery Credit: Joni Sweet