Mr. Speaker, the town of Norman Wells is known for many things: friendly people, a rich oilfield, the CANOL Trail and the scenic beauty of a place that lies on the banks of the Mackenzie River and at the foot of the Mackenzie Mountains.

What Norman Wells probably isn’t known for is that it was the potato growing capital of the Northwest Territories last year. In 2009 more than 10,000 pounds of potatoes were grown there and then distributed and sold in the Sahtu region.

And how did this come about, Mr. Speaker? Well, thanks to the commitment and efforts of local producers with contributions from programs delivered under the Growing Forward Program, a federal-territorial partnership focused on developing agriculture.

Today I would like to talk about a very successful Growing Forward Program: the Small Scale Foods Program. As the weather warms up and the snow disappears across the Territory, gardening initiatives are sprouting up across the Northwest Territories, from the Alberta/Northwest Territories border to the Beaufort-Delta. The Small Scale Foods Program delivered by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is a major reason why.

This program is designed to establish market gardens across the Northwest Territories. It is now entering its fifth year in our Territory and 2010 is shaping up to be our busiest season yet. Activities are planned in 26 communities. Some of the work will result in new gardens being established where crops suitable for our northern climate, like carrots, turnips and, yes, potatoes, will be grown and harvested. In other communities, existing gardens will be expanded and in some cases new infrastructure will be added to improve yields and efficiencies.

Mr. Speaker, in the past our communities have relied on community gardens to provide nutritious, locally grown produce. The Small Scale Foods Program is reviving that practice.

The program is also in line with the vision of the 16th Legislative Assembly. It is more than just

gardening we are doing here. The Small Scale Foods Program is about promoting self-sufficiency and self-reliance. And it also aims to create economic diversity and to reduce the cost of living.

The success of the Small Scale Foods Program shows our work is producing dividends. By revitalizing community gardens in the Territory, Small Scale Foods Program staff and local gardeners are helping make our communities healthier, more vibrant and sustainable. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.