Lambton College's Enactus team is again highlighting its efforts to help indigenous communities in Saskatchewan establish sustainable food security.
Project One Circle was started in 2019 and, since then, the team has built three greenhouses, three aquaponics facilities, three solar energy systems and a food forest.
The group will be presenting their project virtually, during the Enactus Canada Regional Exposition which runs March 7 to 12. The top two presentations will advance to the National Exposition in May.
Enactus Lambton Program Coordinator Megan Rizzo said it's been an honour to work with Muskoday, Muskeg Lake, and Mistawasis Nehiyawak First Nations.
"We help them and then we transfer our knowledge to them because, at the end of the day, it's their project and their need and they have the ownership," said Rizzo. "We're essentially trying to put ourselves out of business. It's been an amazing benefit for the communities and it's really shown them the opportunities and the possibilities."
The project has provided the First Nations with 540,000 pounds of food, and $182,250 of new income streams, while producing 21,714 kWh of electricity: all leading to sustainable food security for 7,061 people.
Rizzo said the facilities are demonstration size, but they're hopeful the communities can build upon them which could eventually lead to commercialization.
She's looking forward to the group's virtual presentation.
"We have five minutes to talk about everything that we've done this year, which is hard," she said. "Our two student presenters Brian Little and Andrea Prins are incredible. We make sure that we have a nice engaging video that shows all of the hard work that's been done by the students this year. The nice music, and hearing their voices and presentation skills is just very impactful."
The team's Project One Circle placed second to Wilfrid Laurier University in the 2021 national competition.
Lambton captured its eighth regional Enactus championship in March 2021.
They won the world cup in 2018 with their "One Seed" project in Zambia.