The problem my project in committed solving is the lack of food sovereignty, self-sustaining power resources, creating reliable drinking sources, economic opportunities.
The project I am proposing is a year-round green plot with a net zero self-sustaining power supply. The housing for this garden plot will be built to generate power to completely operate the water pumps and provide extra power for portable power inverters. The power will be generated from solar powered panels and wind turbines. The wind turbines are a great alternative for power generation in North Dakota because it is also known the windy state. When direct sunlight in unavailable, there is usually wind on cloudy days. The power inverters will be travel size and easy to transport ready for travel on the powwow trail. An extension of this garden plot will have a filtered system to use water run off as apart of the water resources to support garden growth, which can be stored for use in watering. This captured water will also be a drinkable resource to use in emergencies.
My project will change my community by creating self-sustaining opportunities that will save money to the individual and encourage financial independence with more money to spend on immediate needs. Since the need for clean water has become more evident, I believe this product with provide hope to communities threatened by contamination of the natural resources because it provides a building model for food and water. This project will create jobs for the installers, growers, buyers and sellers of water, power and produce. The youth can be trained on how to monitor the success of the garden plot. The youth can be employed to harvest the garden and create a local farmers market opportunity.
The biggest barrier my project has is the funding to support participation in our program. Good news travels fast in our community and growth in not an issue for the success of a projects within our Native American communities.