Mnogin Greenhouse: Empowering Food Sovereignty and Economic Growth in Nipissing First Nation
Project at a Glance
Launched in June 2023 in Nipissing First Nation.
Goal: Create a business venture that also promotes healthy eating, with the potential to become a training hub for First Nations interested in the industry in the future.
Distribution: Mnogin Greenhouse grows a variety of fresh greens for the community of about 3,000 and nearby restaurants and retailers year-round. They also have an online store and a community subscription service.
Impact: The three-farm project in Northern Ontario adds fresher produce for nearby residents and businesses while adding a new revenue stream for the community.
Operator: A lead grower manages the farms and the project also employs two full-time system operators.
“We started the first week of June, and by the end of December, we were selling out of all our produce every single week.”
Why Growing Fresh Produce Locally Matters in Northern Ontario
Accessing fresh, affordable produce year-round is a common concern for many Northern Ontario communities, including Nipissing First Nation. Importing greens means sacrificing freshness, food quality, and even food safety.
It also comes with higher costs, particularly in remote communities in the far north. When the Mnogin project was in its start-up phase in 2022, Scott McLeod, who served as Chief of Nipissing First Nation from 2015 to 2024, told Anishinabek News that an imported head of lettuce might cost $14 or $15 in the far north and that growing their own food could be a more affordable alternative that could benefit sister nations as well.
“It seemed like a no-brainer to start growing our own food and not be reliant on others to give us fresh greens,” says Mike Harney, retired Economic Development Manager for Nipissing First Nation who initiated the project.
Beyond food security, Nipissing First Nation sought a way to promote economic development and create new job opportunities while fostering food sovereignty for the community and potentially for other First Nations in the region.
With Mnogin Greenhouse, Nipissing First Nation sought a way to promote economic development and create new job opportunities while fostering food sovereignty for the community and potentially for other First Nations in the region.
Mnogin Greenhouse Takes Root: A Modular Solution to Year-Round Fresh Greens
To address these challenges, Nipissing First Nation collaborated with Growcer to establish Mnogin Greenhouse, a modular vertical farming system designed for any climate. Mnogin means “grow well” in Nishnaabemwin, Nipissing’s dialect of Ojibwe.
The "Farmplex" consists of three hydroponic growing units connected by a central hub, which serves as the main entry point and an additional barrier against pests.
The farms use deep water culture hydroponics, where plants sit on floating rafts with their roots submerged in nutrient-rich water and have artificial lighting above. The deep water culture system is well-suited for northern growing areas, which are prone to power outages. If the farm loses power, the roots are still submerged in water (and their food source), providing a critical buffer of time to restore power before losing plants.
Mnogin Greenhouse grows a variety of high-quality lettuces, leafy greens, and herbs for nearby restaurants, retailers, and community members. Mnogin has partnerships with the Nipissing First Nation Food Bank, which receives monthly donations from the greenhouse to supplement its offerings, and with the Nipissing First Nation Health Centre, where the produce is used in a monthly food box, served at monthly Diners’ Club luncheons for elders, and provided at no cost through seasonal garden stands.
Transforming Nipissing First Nation: Economic, Social, and Environmental Benefits of Mnogin Greenhouse
The Mnogin Greenhouse’s success has trickled down to not only Nipissing First Nation but also the local area’s economy and environment.
Mnogin Greenhouse grows a variety of high-quality greens for nearby restaurants, retailers, and has partnerships with the Nipissing First Nation Food Bank and Nipissing First Nation Health Centre.
Advancing Food Sovereignty
The greenhouse produces approximately 10,000lbs of produce annually, providing a reliable local supply of fresh, nutritious greens. The project reduces reliance on imported produce and empowers the community to take control of its food system.
Fostering Economic Development
In recognition of its innovative approach to farming, Mnogin received two awards for food sovereignty and economic development in Northern Ontario in 2024. By creating jobs and generating revenue through sales to local restaurants, retailers, and subscription services, Mnogin Greenhouse supports Indigenous business and diversifies Nipissing First Nation’s economy.
Meanwhile, local businesses are thrilled with the greenhouse’s fresh, long-lasting produce. It’s not unusual for restaurant customers to get four or five weeks’ worth of shelf life out of the Mnogin Greenhouse’s lettuce.
“[The restaurants tell us] we’re saving them time and money because they’re not throwing anything out and there’s so little waste!” Jones shares.
Enhancing Community Well-Being
What may feel like business as usual for Jones is having a positive ripple effect in the community. Mnogin Greenhouse partners with Nipissing First Nation’s Food Bank and its coordinator Jessica can fill two fridges with fresh produce every week.
“When people came in and saw the Mnogin produce in the fridge, she shares their eyes lit up and they were excited to get that food,” Jones says.
“It makes a big difference for the community, especially for those who are in need of fresh produce that otherwise wouldn’t have it.”
“It makes a big difference for the community, especially for those who are in need of fresh produce that otherwise wouldn’t have it.”
The greenhouse produces approximately 10,000lbs of produce annually, providing a reliable local supply of fresh, nutritious greens.
It’s not unusual for restaurant customers to get four or five weeks’ worth of shelf life out of the Mnogin Greenhouse’s produce.
Reducing Environmental Impact
In recognition of its innovative approach to farming, Mnogin received two awards for food sovereignty and economic development in Northern Ontario in 2024.
Growing produce locally minimizes the carbon footprint associated with transporting goods from faraway suppliers like California and Mexico. “When lettuce comes from California, that’s a lot of carbon footprint on the environment, just to get those lettuces up to our grocery stores,” noted former Chief McLeod. “This is local. It’s not going to supply everything, but it is a step in the right direction. And in leading by example, this is how things like this can be done with very little footprint on even the local environment.”
Scaling Success: Future Plans for Mnogin Greenhouse and Indigenous Empowerment
Mnogin Greenhouse is just the beginning for Nipissing First Nation. The community plans to expand the facility, having already secured adjacent land for future growth. There are also plans to establish a training hub that will help other Indigenous communities adopt sustainable farming practices, further promoting food sovereignty and economic independence.
As the greenhouse continues to thrive, its success highlights the power of combining innovation with community-driven solutions. From its economic benefits to its environmental responsibility, Mnogin Greenhouse is a model for sustainable agriculture and Indigenous empowerment.
Results
Mnogin Greenhouse grows a variety of high-quality greens for nearby restaurants, retailers, and has partnerships with the Nipissing First Nation Food Bank and Nipissing First Nation Health Centre where the produce is used in a monthly food box, served at the Diners’ Club, and given away at seasonal weekly garden stands across the community.
Mnogin Greenhouse also launched a bi-weekly subscription program that will see orders delivered to customers at either end of Nipissing’s land base, which stretches nearly 40 kilometers. With the greenhouse located at the mid-point, this is a key step in making fresh produce more accessible to community members.
Mnogin Greenhouse received two awards in food sovereignty and economic development for Northern Ontario in 2024.
In the future, Nipissing First Nation hopes to open a training hub nearby to teach and upskill more Indigenous people in agriculture in Northern Ontario.