Watch the Replay: Growing Produce in the Arctic
TOPIC
Today we are talking about Geodesic Greenhouses, What is it? Why is it shaped that way? How does it help grow food in the arctic? And how does it compare to how we grow here? We are answering these questions and more with Green Iglu’s Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, Ben Canning, and Night Owl Bay’s Chief Innovation Officer Brit Steele.
About Ben & Green Iglu
Ben Canning is the Chief Technology Officer and Co-founder of Green Iglu. He is driven by bringing positive systemic change through commerce, technology, and entrepreneurship. Ben grew up on a farm nurturing his fascination for agriculture. Additionally, he has a background in construction - working on new homes, interpreting technical drawings, and materials logistics management throughout his youth - honing his project management skills. Ben’s expertise lies in greenhouse and hydroponic technology as a certified greenhouse technician.
Ben has founded numerous social enterprises, including an international water sanitation initiative, Project Pura, that reduces 99% of all waterborne pathogens in groundwater within remote communities across India and Egypt.
Resources
Class Flyer [PDF] with Speaker & Company Bio
Student Handout [PDF] for taking notes
Mentioned in the Presentation
Growing Spaces: Geodesic Dome Greenhouses
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Formerly known as Project Growing North, Green Iglu started as an exploratory project to better understand the difficulties of living in Canada’s remote Northern regions. In 2013, the organization worked hand-in-hand with the community of Naujaat, Nunavut (previously known as Repulse Bay) to construct a pilot Growing Dome® project in 2015. This geodesic greenhouse was the first of its kind in the Canadian Arctic. The community of Naujaat believed in their mission and embraced the technology, calling it their Green Igloo. The organization has been at the forefront of agriculture in Canada’s North with their designs, methodologies, and technology. Today, Green Iglu is recognized as a Canadian charitable organization and has built multiple Growing Dome® facilities across Canada.