Context
Since 2017, CISA has been collaborating with the Atikamekw community of Opitciwan to develop local food autonomy. So far, eight garden sites have been set up, including a greenhouse at Mikisiw High School. Since 2021, an agri‑food education program has been run at the school, with students from special education programs taking part in hands‑on agri‑food activities.
Teachers and administrators expressed a need to carry on activities throughout the school year. Building on this, the current initiative seeks to launch a Support and Capacity‑Building Program in Agri‑Food Production at the high school in winter 2023.
Project Objectives
The primary goal is to introduce students to the agri‑food sector through three areas of activity: indoor production, technical innovations, and greenhouse production. Additional objectives include:
- Introducing students to entrepreneurship through the production and sale of microgreens.
- Transferring knowledge to school staff to encourage local governance of agri-food projects within the community.
