NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: social sciences, agriculture, market food, mushroom, food source

Project Description: The objective of the project is to create a fresh, nutritious, cheap food source to supplement the northern diet, and to increase awareness of healthy diet. In the future the hope is to extend this project to create a cottage industry employing local people. The project will involve composting straw, and manure or synthetic compost. The compost is wetted and aired, nitrogen supplements and gypsum are added, and mixed. The compost is finished, involving pasteurization and ammonia removal. Spawning the mushrooms will use commercially available spawns. A top-dressing (casing) is applied to the spawn-run compost on which the mushrooms eventually form. Peat moss with ground limestone as a casing may be used with negligible impact on peat moss growth. Limestone (Dolomite) is available from Campbell Lake. Hot water from the power station generators (60-65 ºC) will be used to heat up the mushroom growing room. A presentation will be given at the end of the project. Reports will be sent to the town and interested organizations. If mushrooms are grown successfully, mushroom dishes will be offered during community events. If successful, the mushroom operation will provide one skilled, full time position, and several non skilled positions. Local mushroom growth will provide cheap, fresh produce available year round. The study will be conducted from July 12 to September 30, 2006 at the Aurora Research Institute. Limestone collection will occur in the Campbell Hills area (68° 15’ 00” N 133° 15’ 15” W) only if a decision is made to cultivate button mushrooms.