Food connects all life. From seed to soil, every link matters. Colin Templeton understands this deeply, using his knowledge to strengthen his community in Sault Ste. Marie.
Gardening is more than a hobby for Colin; it's a way of life. Raised on home-grown food in Southern Ontario, he has always had a garden.
His day job as a forestry advisor with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry allows him to merge his love for the outdoors with sustainable forest management. But it's his community projects that bring him the most joy.
Colin helped a friend with social assistance by creating a market garden. Selling home-grown produce provided financial stability for her. Inspired by this success, Colin wondered how he could further help his community.
He found his answer in The Soup Kitchen, a local charity providing meals and operating a food bank.
Colin's FoodBankFarm project began in 2017, supplying fresh produce to those in need. But winter posed a challenge. Traditional methods failed in Sault Ste. Marie's harsh climate.
Colin found inspiration in space technology. The EDEN ISS project grows food in Antarctica using LED lights.
With $23,500 from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Local Food Infrastructure Fund, donations, and his savings, Colin adapted this concept.
He bought a shipping container, installed temperature controls, and used LED lights to create a cost-effective growing environment.
Operating at about five dollars a day, Colin grows quick-blooming plants like bok choy and lettuce. His efforts yield over $25,000 worth of produce annually for The Soup Kitchen. Colin's container system offers a model for other communities with harsh climates.
Colin's journey shows how connections and innovation can strengthen a community. By thinking outside the box, he continues to support those in need, regardless of the season.