A new hydroponics system is taking root at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), spearheaded by twenty-six-year-old Madi Tokarchuk. Originally born in Saskatchewan, she moved Prince George less than a year ago and started her degree at UNBC in September.
Currently pursuing a degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Madi’s interest in hydroponics was first spurred during a fall semester class titled “Introduction to Environmental Citizenship”. As a part of the class, students were tasked with completing a project to make real-world change in their community. Madi’s group decided to focus on hydroponics to improve food sovereignty, and thus her hydroponics journey began.
Hydroponics growing is a method of food production in which plants are suspended in a water and nutrient solution with a net pot, allowing them to grow without soil. In comparison to conventional farming, hydroponics uses less water, less herbicides, and can produce higher yields. Most plants can be grown in a hydroponic system, except for root crops, bushes, and trees. Madi is particularly interested in how hydroponic systems can be utilized in northern communities to provide a reliable source of year-round food.
Funding for the hydroponics setup was provided through a UNBC Green Grant, which provides one-time funding for projects to promote sustainability at UNBC. Any member of the University can apply for funding including students, faculty, staff, and campus-based organizations.
The plants grown with the UNBC hydroponics system will be sold to the Thirsty Moose Pub for cost recovery, and any surplus vegetables will be sold to students, making fresh produce more accessible to the campus community. She estimates that they will start selling heads of lettuce at less than two dollars per head. There is also the potential to utilize UNBC’s compost system to provide nutrient input to the system, which would reduce costs even further.
Madi encourages people to try hydroponics at home and advises that “anybody can do it, anywhere, anytime, if you’ve killed every plant you’ve ever had, you can still use hydroponics and be successful at it”. She is also interested in seeing more hydroponic and growing systems employed in the community, “plants bring people together; you never go to a garden and see angry people”. Madi invites those interested in hydroponics to attend her hydroponics and composting workshop at UNBC. Participants will have the opportunity to build a DIY hydroponic kit that comes with everything needed to get started from home. This event will run Tuesday March 18th from 1 – 3pm as a part of UNBC’s Green Week. More information about the event and Green Week can be found through the UNBC Sustainability webpage.
Madi’s journey exemplifies the innovative spirit of UNBC students, proving that with curiosity and dedication, we can make a meaningful impact in our communities.
