Fresh Food Grown In Athabasca

Athabasca Grown is the working name for the Small Community Opportunity Program project "Rural Food Production with Passive Solar Greenhouses", a project undertaken by the Town of Athabasca, co-led by Dr. Mike Gismondi and AU researcher Cara Shan. The project is being supported by Athabasca University Architecture professor Veronica Madonna, AU student research assistants, and a team of Alberta-based food and agriculture consultants and communication professionals.

About the project

Passive solar greenhouse feasibility

What are the benefits of “passive solar” compared to conventional greenhouses? Is there a market for produce grown this way? Can you have a viable passive solar greenhouse business in Northern Alberta?

Assorted vegetables and raw meat on a kitchen counter, including carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, an apple, garlic, and a bowl of chickpeas.

Engaging the community on local food

How and where do consumers purchase locally grown food? Do most consumers know about their local food system? How do people feel about locally grown food?

Snow-covered farm scene with red barn, wooden fences, cattle, and snowy trees under a clear blue sky.

Can a passive solar greenhouse add to your current operation? Could it add to your agri-tourism offering? Do you have the connections in the community to sell what you would produce?

Connecting with growers

Upcoming Events

  • Who? What? Where? and How? - A Passive Solar Greenhouse For Athabasca

    MAY 8, 2025, 5:30 - 8:30 PM

    Light dinner available from 5:30 pm

    Co-host: Town of Athabasca

    Location: Athabasca University ARC Building

    The Athabasca Grown project has been gathering information through 2024-25 to develop a feasibility report for a passive solar greenhouse (PSG) in Athabasca and soliciting input on the future direction of a PSG for food production and to meet other community needs.

    Through our event series, online survey and in-person interviews, we have gathered information from the community, and the results have been positive. We have heard interest from participants, partners and stakeholders, with many asking, “When do we start?”

    For our final workshop, we will be asking participants to answer the following:

    Who could carry the project forward, and how could it be governed? Who would the intended customers/audience be?  


    What would the physical components of the building include? What does the business model look like?

    Where, from a list of suggested sites, would a PSG be most appropriate and successful?

    How can it be funded? How do the contributions and funding models differ for various scenarios?

    We hope to come away with a plan on how to move forward and a “Champions” group that will continue to drive the project.

    Bring your expertise, ideas and passion to be part of the future of this exciting project!

    This is a free event. A light supper will be served. Please RSVP so we can make food arrangements.

    Please note the venue change from the Seniors’ Centre to the AU ARC. Enter the ARC building from the south door. Parking is available in the lot south of the building.

    RSVP
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