The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma will begin construction of a large, 35,000 sq ft greenhouse facility this Fall as a strategic next step towards meeting the Nation's food sovereignty goals. Once completed by Spring 2025, the Peoria Tribe Greenhouse will be growing produce year-round using hydroponic and soilless methods that will yield significantly greater quantities of vegetables than conventional field production.
The greenhouse will provide high-quality food for all Peoria Tribe restaurants, child-care facilities, and elder-care programs, as well as contribute to the food distribution system being developed by the Tribe's Health and Human Services department. This newly developed site will also contribute towards another Peoria Nation goal of creating and providing quality job opportunities with excellent work environments.
"We are truly excited to build something that will have such a strong and lasting impact on food security in our community", says Erin Barnes, Director of Natural Resources. "We look forward to providing healthy, safe food options to the community and those who need it the most while being able to grow food most efficiently and economically possible. We are eager for the opportunity to serve our Citizens and the surrounding community, and this is another step in the Peoria Tribe's path of doing so."
Sam Doty, Greenhouse Manager, has been overseeing the development of the facility for the Tribe and will manage its operation once constructed. Sam holds a master's degree in Horticulture and boasts tenured experience in managing greenhouses and organic vegetable farms in addition to teaching greenhouse management at the University of Arkansas and Utah Valley University. "I grew up working in my parents' greenhouses and floral shops and was raised with a deep respect and passion for what this greenhouse will do. I don't take the responsibility of being a steward of this resource lightly. We're going to be growing what our kids eat, what we all need to live, so we're going to make sure we do that efficiently and with great care," said Sam.
The facility will have over 24,000 sq ft of growing space for lettuce, herbs, and other leafy greens, as well as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and strawberries. Once operations are underway, the Tribe plans to expand the site with further growing opportunities. Chief Harper reflected, "This greenhouse and the entire site will be a game-changer; it will empower both our commercial enterprises and our Tribal operations to rely less on external resources and allow us to direct these newly developed resources to where they are needed. Like our cattle ranch, this greenhouse will contribute to the self-sufficiency and sovereignty that we've been moving towards in all our operations."
The groundbreaking occurred 1st of October at 3:00 PM at the site of the future Peoria Tribe Greenhouse: 7801 S 620 Rd, Miami, Ok.
For more information:
Peoria Tribe of Oklahoma
peoriatribe.com