Grant: Applied Research and Technology Partnership Grants

Many First Nations in Saskatchewan have large landholdings of arable land, much of this land is rented to settler farmers. Keeseekoose First Nation (KKFN), in east-central Saskatchewan, would like to once again farm its own land. Keeseekoose is partnering with Parkland College to develop the Keeseekoose First Nation Smart Farm, this farm will have three purposes,� provide employment to the people of KKFN,� provide revenue to the nation, � be a demonstration site for producers and other First Nations of modern, data-driven agricultural practice. Parkland College will be the research and training partner for KKFN. In this proposal, we request funding to hire a research manager, 12 student research assistants, KKFN Elders and Knowledge Keepers to conduct eight projects over two years directed by KKFN. And to purchase weather stations to provide continuous weather and soil moisture data to monitor growing conditions above and below ground.This application also requests provisions to conduct additional projects with businesses focused on Ag-Tech in conjunction with the KKFN farming operation. These projects will also make use of the Elders and Knowledge Keepers from KKFN and will involve additional student research assistants. All of the research projects will be conducted from a holistic, regenerative agriculture perspective with a view to increasing traceability from field to fork, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in ag and reducing carbon emissions. The KKFN directed projects include field scale and market garden projects and will also examine traditional food, medicine and fibre sources and their potential role in providing food security, economic development and sustainability for KKFN. Other projects with Ag-Tech businesses focus on developing businesses products in field- and farm-scale projects with KKFN. Examples include the aggregation of data gathered from multiple sources into forms that can be easily accessed by producers for data-driven decision making; the optimization of machinery movement through fields, especially fields with changing conditions due to changes in water levels and the use of SWAT mapping to enhance productions.This proposal is novel and innovative, incorporating reconciliation, employment and food security goals alongside business development goals and sustainability goals. It builds naturally on the excellent work and reputation of the small plot research conducted by Parkland College over the last nine years.