Indigenous Greenhouse Training - GROZINE

Small to medium-sized scale greenhouse solutions for Indigenous communities

Indigenous Small Scale Greenhouse Training | Gov of BC |

Small to medium-sized greenhouses come with unique considerations for setup and ongoing care. These resources were created by Indigenous people, for Indigenous communities to support those growing food to nourish their people through sharing, trading, or selling. Rooted in Indigenous knowledge and values, they reflect a commitment to sustainability, self-determination, and community well-being.

Greenhouse Checklist: Essential Considerations for the Purchase and Operation of Community Greenhouses

This Greenhouse checklist (fillable PDF, 1.7 MB) consists of a series of self-assessment questions, with related information and tips covering key considerations when planning to purchase, build, and ultimately operate a small to medium-sized greenhouse.

Small-Scale Greenhouse Training Guide for Indigenous Communities in British Columbia

Greenhouse farming involves growing crops in protected environments to enhance growing conditions and improve yields. As weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, greenhouse systems offer a more reliable and resilient approach to food production. When effectively managed, greenhouses can extend the growing season, improve crop quality, and increase overall harvests.

For Indigenous communities, greenhouse farming can be a powerful tool in reclaiming and revitalizing food sovereignty. By integrating greenhouse operations into broader community strategies, it becomes possible to strengthen local food systems in ways that will be explored throughout this document. This training program manual has been created specifically to support small-scale greenhouses.

Indigenous small scale greenhouse training project

Small-scale Controlled Environment Agriculture system

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) refers to the production of food, medicinal plants, or other crops inside a structure where key environmental conditions, such as light, temperature, humidity, and ventilation, are intentionally managed to support plant growth.
Although CEA includes a wide range of systems, from greenhouses to small indoor shelf units, recent attention has focused on containerized CEA, typically housed in repurposed shipping containers or purpose-built modules of similar size. While this technology has advanced commercially over the past decade, it remains relatively new and not yet fully proven at scale.

CEA units are often marketed as simple, turn key solutions capable of producing high volumes of fresh food year round. In practice, they are technically complex, and yields can fluctuate, particularly during the start up phase. Successful operation requires more than just the equipment: a suitable site, stable access to power and water, and, most importantly, people with the right skills, knowledge, attitudes, and supports to manage the system effectively.

The Planning for Controlled Environment Agriculture in Indigenous Communities guide was created as a decision making tool to help communities think through key questions and considerations before investing in CEA infrastructure.

Planning for Controlled Environment Agriculture in Indigenous Communities (November 2024)

This guide is based on first-hand interviews with individuals working in communities who have invested in or considered investing in shipping container-type growing systems, sharing what they have learned through the process. It is intended to assist communities and organizations in their local food and agriculture planning processes and support informed decision-making.

Stories from other communities

Sts’ailes’ First Nation: Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty Grant

In this inspiring video, we explore how Sts’ailes First Nation is leading the way in Indigenous food sovereignty by reconnecting with traditional foods and whole, healthy meals for their people. What started as an idea for a greenhouse and garden has evolved into a larger food sovereignty initiative, supported by workshops and community engagement. The initiative, backed by the Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty Program, empowers the community to care for the land, produce fresh foods, and bring traditional foods to local businesses. Watch how Sts’ailes is cultivating a future where food, land, and people are deeply intertwined.

Tsawwassen First Nation | Growing Local Food for Community Wellness

With support from the Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty Grant, Tsawwassen First Nation is strengthening its local food system by building a greenhouse that supports year-round food production for the community. This project highlights the power of growing food within your Nation—ensuring members have access to fresh, healthy, and culturally relevant food, while also creating opportunities for education and self-sufficiency. As shared in the video, one key tip when starting a greenhouse is to consider a soil-based design. Having a solid soil base lets you plant directly into the ground, improving long-term sustainability and supporting healthier crops. Learn more about how this project is reconnecting people to land, food, and community leadership.