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Thinking outside the box and in the container
hands on fresh produce and specialty gro- cery stores are already placing orders for consumer packages. Each farm container system is fully au- tomated with an iPad interface to monitor humidity, temperature and nutrient levels. The container is insulated and the growing process is controlled, in that the climate inside the container is ideal for year-round production, regardless of the exterior envi- ronment. Amyot and Bergeron have plans to grow the network of Smart Greens farms across the country. “We believe there is huge potential for this system in just about every communi- ty,” said Bergeron. “Large cities such as Ot-
FRANCIS RACINE francis.racine@eap.on.ca
CORNWALL | Two Cornwall entrepreneurs are thinking outside the box by using an upcycled sea container to grow food, right in their neighbourhood. Eric Bergeron and Eric Amyot have launched Smart Greens, a company that grows fresh greens in a hydroponic farm built within a shipping container. The inaugural farm is located in the heart of downtown Cornwall, within walking distance to several restaurants and grocery stores. “You can taste the
tawa and Vancouver could support dozens of farms while at the same time the model makes a lot of sense for Northern commu- nities where the cost of fresh produce is staggeringly high.”
di$erence between produce that has just been harvested and produce that has sat on a truck for two weeks,” said Smart Greens co- founder Eric Amyot. “Our produce will be sold the same
You can taste the di!er- ence between produce that has just been harvested and produce that has sat on a truck for two weeks
The !rst crop of kale from the Cornwall Smart Greens farm is just about ready to harvest. “Each farm is capable of producing 54,400 pesticide-free plants a year with minimal electricity and water usage,” said Bergeron. “We think bringing sustainable healthy food systems to urban neighbour- hoods is very exciting. The technology al- lows anyone to become a farmer, no matter their background.” her two children, Dean who was born in 2007, and Carolyn born in 2009. “Both times I had such trust in the sta$, and they were so helpful,” explains Kath- ryn. “The renovations and newly added labour and delivery suites were an extra bonus too!” “After having experienced something as intimate as childbirth, the nurses involved often feel part of the family,” added Jackie Girard, manager of Women and Children’s health, who was
day the plants are harvested. Added advan- tages being that we help reduce shipping costs, fuel consumption and are increasing food safety in our region.” The Smart Greens farm can produce over 1,200 plants a week. Allison St. Louis, the primary farmer at the location, is currently growing kale, basil and spinach, and plans are to introduce other crop varieties in the future. Local chefs are anxious to get their
CORNWALL | Having babies at the Corn- wall Community Hospital (CCH) seems to be a family a#air for the Fawthrop family. Both teachers and sisters-in-law, named Kathryn and Katherine, have had "ve chil- dren between them in the last seven years, all at CCH. Each experience was better than the last. Kathryn, who married into the Fawthrop family, has seen the physical transformations at CCH with the renova- tions happening in between the births of A family a!air at the CCH
Smart Green co-founders Eric Amyot and Eric Bergeron
and any other important details the patient needs to know. The bedside shift report is when a nurse relieves another from a shift, the transfer of knowledge happens in front of the patient. That way, the patient knows exactly how they are progressing and what their speci!c plan of care is. These two best practice initiatives are relatively new at CCH and allow for better communication which ultimately improves the patient experience, a goal the hospital is always striving for. Now that their children are growing, the Fawthrops have also visited the newly reno- vated Emergency Department with the odd sport injury or ear infection. “These too were great experiences, with a comfortable renovated space both for wait- ing and examination,” explained Kathryn. “Our children are so fortunate to be grow- ing up in Cornwall at this time; everything is new, from schools and parks to the Aquatic Centre, the Benson Centre and, of course, our new hospital. Cornwall is a great place to be raising a family and the Cornwall Com- munity Hospital is a great place to start.”
a sta$ nurse for over 20 years. “We want mothers-to-be to know of the great expe- riences happening here at CCH. These !ve births are perfect examples of the nurtur- ing care parents can expect and depend on during their stay.” Katherine Fawthrop-Crites had three boys at the local hospital, Nolan, Will and Charlie, who arrived this past June. All of her boys were delivered via caesarian section and she also had great experiences. “In the O.R., it felt like there was a team there for me, and they took the time to explain everything that was going to hap- pen to me and my baby. When I returned to the #oor, my mobility was limited and the nurses were so great to help me with any- thing I needed,” exclaimed Katherine. “I also enjoyed the bedside shift reporting and the whiteboard; I knew who my nurse was, and felt involved in my care. You build a rapport with the nurses that have gone through the experience with you.” The whiteboard is a dry erase board at every bedside. Nurses !ll it out daily with their name, physician name,
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