Potatoes are big business for reserve

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When local residents collaborated three years ago to start a potato plantation, the only intention they had was to provide food for the community. The initiative has since turned into an economic venture.

"For a long time the chief and council have been strongly encouraging growing vegetables for the food supply. Now it's gone beyond that," said Joseph Bighead economic development officer Ed McRae.

The plantation began with very little machinery and storing space for the crop. Local people did most of the work by hand and used any vacant space available for storage.

Today, the community has over $160,000 invested into the harvest. A storage area was built containing the proper ventilation system, equipment needed in the planting and harvesting process was purchased and up to 60 local people have been employed seasonally.

"A lot of the work is still done by hand. People pick the potatoes, put them in onion bags and haul them to storage. This year, we've gotten into turnip, carrot and corn as well," said McRae.

He said the provincial Department of Agriculture has been very supportive of the project providing an estimated $56,000 in grants and loans.

McRae said he hopes the government and other bands realize the potential in the plantation. Two other bands have already sized up the operation and will "go into it in a big way."

"I recommend it to anyone. I think if a community wants to get into it, from personal experience, the quality is superior. The "northern vigor," which we get from our type of weather, helps the quality of the seeds."

McRae said the equipment needs to be upgraded in order to expand the operation, and the community is working towards that.

This year will be the first time local people will be charged for the potatoes. In the past, the vegetable was given free of charge to everyone.

"We have to charge a small fee to try and help with the construction and operating costs. Although the people are free to go and pick the carrots and turnip right out of the gardens."

McRae has already sold potatoes to Saskatoon and Edmonton customers, and hopes to draw business from the United States.