Something else is growing at Tsawwassen First Nation amidst the retail malls, housing developments and industrial project.

The TFN Farm School, an innovative partnership with Kwantlen Polytechnic University, has received a $263,000 grant from the Real Estate Foundation of BC.

Since last year, 12 First Nations students from BC have had the chance to develop hands-on skills in agriculture, business development and Indigenous food systems.

“This grant will allow the farm to grow and develop an incubator farming model over the next three years,” said Bronwen Geddes who is Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council’s community planning advisor. She said students will receive support in developing small, sustainable farming businesses.

“The first year of the program has been a wonderful success,” she said. “The plot of land allocated to the project at TFN has gone from barren to bursting with life and gorgeous produce.

“This project is the first of its kind in Canada and may have significant benefits to all NmTC members interested in building food security and developing entrepreneurs in their own nations.”