The Modern Farmer published an article this week on the growth of farming at high latitudes (https://modernfarmer.com/2013/10/arctic-farming/). The article lists several reasons for increasing agriculture in a challenging place, including changing diets of indigenous people, increased demand for local foods, and increases in temperature under a changing climate that is increasing the length of the growing season. Since it costs a lot of money to ship fresh vegetables into the area from more southern locations, the residents are looking for fresher and less expensive alternatives. Because of long winters and low sun angles, greenhouses with supplemental lighting are used to extend the growing season, and suitable soils are being imported to use in the greenhouses, since Arctic soils are not always the best option for food crops. Community gardens are also increasing as residents learn to adapt to the challenging conditions.
