Sustainability Projects Fund    Fonds des projets durables McGill Office of Sustainability (MOOS)       Bureau du développement durable 1010 Sherbrooke St West, Suite 1200      1010, rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Suite 1200 Montreal, Quebec H3A 2R7           Montréal (Québec) H3A 2R7    

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SP0145FinalReportPlease answer the following questions and return the completed form to the SPF Staff via e‐mail. 

ProjectTitle:Bellairs Research Institute Greenhouse

FinalReportpreparedby:

E‐mail:

ActualProjectStartDate:5/23/2015   ActualProjectEndDate:8/19/2016 1. Pleasesummarizetheprojectanditskeyaccomplishmentsin1‐2sentences.

(400 characters maximum)

2. Didyourteamachieveyourproject’sgoal?Inyouranswer,pleasedescribetheimpactyourprojecthad

onMcGill’sstructures,processes,and/orsystems.Also,pleasespecifyhowthispositivelytransformedpeople’sbehaviors/perspectives/habitsonMcGillcampus(es).(Unlimited characters, suggested minimum ½ page or approximately 250 words)

OurteamsuccessfullyreachedourgoaltobuildafunctionalgreenhouseattheBellairsResearchInstitute.FromSpring2015toSummer2016,variousgroupsofstudentsledbyMr.LucasMcCartney and advised by Dr Lefsrud, theyworkedondesigningandbuildingthetropicalgreenhouseinthefrontyardoftheBellairsResearchInstitute.InJuly2016,afirstcropwasgrownandharvestedinthegreenhouse.TheconstructionwasofficiallycompletedinAugust2016.TheBellairsResearchInstitutenowboastsafullyfunctionalgreenhouseabletoproduce40‐60kgpersquaremeteroffreshcropyearly,varyingfromleafygreenstotomatoes,cucumberandpeppers.ThegreenhousestructureatBellairs,apatenteddesignrecentlydevelopedbyDr.MarkLefsrudandMr.LucasMcCartneyatMcGill,isthefirstofitskindintheworld.Thedesignfocusesonprovidingaprotectedgrowingenvironmentforplantsinhotclimatesinasustainablemanner,withlocallyavailablematerialsandlittletonoelectricalinput.TheBellairs siteoncefocusedonmarinebiologybuthassincebroadenedtoawidespectrumofdisciplinesinthenaturalandsocialsciences.Thegreenhousecannowserveasaresearchprojectsiteforstudentteamstocome,andwillprovidefreshproduceforuseinthekitchensoftheInstitute.Thegreenhouseisahighly reconizablelandmarkthatisdrawingpositiveattentionfromlocalsandvisitors.TheBarbadianpopulationhasvoicedconcernandmanyinfluentialBarbadiangroupsincludingmembersofthegovernmenthaverecentlyopenedthediscussiononsustainableproductionandconsumptionoffoodontheisland.Thisgreenhouseandthevarioussub‐projectsthatitcreatesareagreatdemonstrationofsupportfromBellairsResearchInstituteandMcGillUniversityintakingpartintheprogresstowardsbetterfoodsustainabilityandsecurityontheislandofBarbados.Besidesproducingfreshfood,theon‐sitepresenceofagreenhouseisareminderofthefoodsituationinBarbadosandencouragespeoplevisitingtheInstitutetolearnabouthowprogresscanbemadeinlocalandsustainablefoodproduction.BellairsResearchInstitutehastakeninitiativestocreateanon‐siteslowfoodgarden.Withsupportfromrainwaterharvestingandirrigationssystemsinthenewlybuiltgreenhouse,thetwosystemscanbeintegratedandtheslowfoodgardencannowflourishandexpand.Theslowfoodconceptstrivestopreservetraditional

Lucas McCartney

lucas.mccartney@mail.mcgill.ca

The Bellairs Research Institute is a McGill facility located in Folkestone, Barbados. The project goal was to enhance 

fresh food production at the institute by building a sustainable greenhouse. The greenhouse was made possible by 

involving 2 student teams from the McGill BITS program,  Mr. Lucas McCartney, and Dr. Mark Lefsrud. 

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andregionalcuisineandencouragesfarmingofplants,seedsandlivestockcharacteristicofthelocalecosystem.

3. Pleasedescribethekeysuccessesandchallengesofyourproject.(Minimumoftwoexamplesforeach) (Unlimited characters, suggested minimum ½ page or approximately 250 words)

Thecompletionoftheconstructionofthegreenhouseinatimelyfashionwaslikelythegreatestsuccessofthisproject.ThemanagementofaconstructionprojectinBarbadosischallenging,evenwhenon‐site,asservicesandmaterialsarenotreadilyavailableastheyareinNorthAmerica.Thischallengewasanticipatedandsignificanttimeandenergywascontributedtocounteringtheeffectsofpotentialdelays.AddedtothiswasthechallengeofoverseeingoftheprojectfromCanadawhennoton‐site,whichwemanagedtodoquitesuccessfully.AnothernotablesuccesswastheinvolvementofvariousstudentsfromtheMcGillBarbadosInterdisciplinaryTropicalStudiesprogram.OverthecourseofSummer2015andSummer2016,twogroupsofstudentstookpartinthedesignandconstructionprocesseswithMr.LucasMcCartney.ThischerishedpartnershipwiththeBITSprogramaddedgreatvaluetotheoverallprojectasmanystudentslearnedinaveryhands‐onwayhowtodesign,buildandmaintainagreenhouse.Thepartnershipalsohelpedwithgettinglargetasksdonequicklyandallowedtheprojecttoremainontimeand on schedule.AlastsuccessthatisworthhighlightingisthenetworkofcollaboratorsthatwascreatedinBarbadoswhiledoingthisproject.Mr.LucasMcCartney'smentorshipstylefocusedonincludingthestudentsinasmanyaspectsoftheprojectaspossible.Thisattractedalotofattentionwhenperformingdailytaskssuchasmaterialshoppingatthehardwarestoresorwhenconsultinglocalexpertsoncertainintricaciesofthebuild.Thisworkedinourfavor.Manylocalexpertshappilyprovideduswithknowledgeandanswerstoourhardestquestions.Somegreenhousespecialtyitemswereevendonatedtousbyalocalgreenhousebusinesswhobecamefriendsofoursthroughouttheprocess.Ifnotdirectlyinvolved,manybusinessesofferedhelpinmanyways,includingtheoccasionalfriendlydiscount.Althoughoneimportantgoaloftheprojectwastosourceallmateriallocally,someitemsonceavailableontheislandwerenotobtainableforavarietyofreasonsatthetimeofconstruction.Achallengewastodeterminetheavailabilityofspecificmaterialandifneeded,findtheeasiestwaytoimportthespecificitemsfromabroad.Intheend,weimportedawiggle‐wireandtracksystemsfromJamaica.Awigglewireandtracksystemisanessentialcomponentofagreenhouseandwassomethingthatcouldnotbefoundontheislandduringthetimeofthebuild.AfewcomponentsofthewatermistingsystemwerealsoimportedfromCanada.Allinall,theseitemswerenotoverlyexpensiverelativetothetotalbudget,norweretheybulky.Oncethelogisticsoflocatingandshippingweresettled,thesechallengeswereovercome.Manyundergraduatestudentstookpartinthedesignandbuildofthegreenhouse.Somestudentscameintotheprojectwithextensiveconstructionworkknowledge,andotherswerenewtotheworldofdesignandconstruction.Aninevitablechallengeinthisprojectwastomentorthestudentsandensuretheywerebroughttoalevelofknowledgethatwouldensurethattheycouldworkindependentlyandsafely.Thisinvolvedmanyweeksofmentorshipworkwithstudentseachsummer.Regardlessofthebackgroundofeachstudent,greatgroupsofstudentswereformedeachsummerandthestudentsdisplayedtremendousteamwork.Eachstudentbroughtadifferentsetofskillstotheprojectwhichultimatelyaddedgreatvaluetotheprojectoverall.Thischallengedefinitelygrewintoasuccessnowthattheprojectiscomplete.ManymembersofthestaffattheBellairsResearchInstitutetookpartinthedesignandconstructionofthegreenhouse.Theyarealsocrucialinensuringcontinuationoftheprojectandmaintenanceofthegreenhouse.Alotofknowledgeneededtobetransferredtoandfromtheprojectteamandthestaff.Althoughchallengingtoensureeveryonewascommunicatingandonthesamepagewithregardstotheproject,agreatsenseofcooperationwascreatedbetweenthevisitingmembersofthegreenhouseteamandthelocalstaffatBellairs.

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4. WhatkeypointsofadviceorlessonslearnedwouldyougivetootherSPFteamseitherregardingyourexperiencemanagingyourprojectortheprojectitself?(Unlimited characters, suggested minimum ½ page or approximately 250 words)

Undertakinganyprojectcanbechallenging,regardlessofthesize.Beyondtheworkofbuildingorcreatingthetangibleelementoftheproject,therecanbeavarietyoftaskstiedtoaprojectandeachonetakesacertainamountofskilltoproperlyworkthrough.Inourproject,everydaymanagementwasonlyonepartoftheoverallmanagement.Financialmanagement(budgetandpurchasing),stakeholdermanagement(networking,mentoringandteaching)andthemanagementoflogisticswereallchallengingtoworkthrough.Arespectiveamountoftimeandenergyneededtobeallocatedtoeachtoensuresuccessoftheprojectintheend.AddedtothiswasthefactthattheprojecttookplaceabroadontheislandofBarbados.Theprojectmanager,Mr.LucasMcCartney,spenttherequiredamountoftimeon‐sitetoensuresuccessoftheproject,butneededtooccasionallymanagefromabroad,ashisprincipalengagementremainedhisdoctoralstudies.Withthissaid,personalinterestinandcommitmenttotheprojectisamustinordertosucceedincompletingtheproject.Withregardstofinancialmanagement,akeypieceofadviceforfutureprojectapplicantsistoassignamemberoftheapplicantteamthetaskofmanagingpurchasesandreceipts.Withsmallerprojecttheissuemaynotbenoticed,butgiventhemagnitudeofthisproject,energyandtimewasremovedfromthemainundertakingsoftheprojecttoensureallpurchasingandrecordsofpurchasingwereinorder.Itisrequiredtobeexceedinglymindfulofreceipts.

5. Whatrecommendationsdoyouhaveforthefutureofthisprojecttobecontinuedandarethereanyopportunitiesforcomplementaryprojects?Whowilltakeresponsibilityfortheproject’sfutureandhowcaninterestedpersonsbeintouch?TheSPFteamwillalsobeintouchwiththiscontactforupdatesontheproject’sprogressincomingyears,ifongoing.

   (Unlimited characters, suggested minimum 1 paragraph)

Althoughtheprojectisnowconsideredcomplete,animportantandfinalpartoftheprojectwillrevealitselfinthenearfuture.Theproductionoffruitsandvegetableshasonlyjustbegun.Forthenextfewmonths,itwillbeinterestingtomonitortheplantgrowthandlevelofproductionoffoodfromwithinthegreenhouse.ThenextfewmonthswillbecriticalinthedevelopmentofmaintenanceandplantcareroutinesfortheBellairsgreenhouse.Staffandstudentson‐siteattheBellairsResearchInstitutewillbeworkingtogethertodevelopacaresystemforthestructureandfortheplantsbeinggrown.Althoughthespaceiscurrentlysplitasahydroponicandcoconutcoirgrowingsystemononesideandatraditionalsoilbasedgrowingsystemontheother,variousothergrowingsystemscaneasilybeexploredandbetestedwithoutmodificationofthestructureofthegreenhouse.JohnHunte,acolleagueoftheBellairsResearchInstitute,hasbeeninvolvedintheSlowFoodprojectonthecampus,andwillbeinvolvedinthetrialsandeventualproductionoflocallyavailablevarietiesofproduceinthegreenhouse,alongsidetheproductionofcommoncrops.TherearecurrentlyplansfortheBarbadosFieldStudySemesterstudentsof2016tobegintestingarangeofplantvarieties,bothlocalandforeign,andtoexplorevariousgrowingsystemsandnutrientandwaterdeliverysystems.Thesearebothelementsofagreenhouseoperationthatrequiretimetodevelop.ThestudentswillfacilitatethetransferofknowledgebetweenMr.LucasMcCartneyandDr.MarkLefsrudandthestaffatBellairswhowillbeassignedtocareforthegreenhouseintheyearstocome.ThecropsbeinggrowninthegreenhouseatBellairswillchangeandevolvewithtime.AsstudentsandvisitorscomeandgofromBellairsthroughouttheyear,thecropgrowingcyclescanbeplannedaccordinglytofavortheproductionofspecificproduce.Themaintenanceandschedulingofcropswillbedonebythestaffmembersinvolvedinthegreenhouseproject.ThankstoDr.DanielleDonnelly,ProgramDirectorfortheBITSprogram,andtheparticipatingundergraduatestudentsmentoredbyMr.McCartney,amaintenancemanualtailoredtothegrowingsystemsintheBellairs

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greenhouseisnowavailabletothestaffattheBellairsResearchInstituteandtoanyfurtherstudentsgettinginvovledingreenhouseworkonsite.Seeattacheddocument.AllcollaboratorswhowillparticipateinthefutureoftheBellairsgreenhousecanbecontactedthroughMr.LucasMcCartneyorMs.SusanMahonandDr.MarkLefsrud.

6. Inyourapplication,youlistedthefollowingsourcesoffunding:Bellairs Research Institute, $10,000

Pleaseconfirmifyoureceivedthisfundinginthespacebelow.Inyourresponse,pleaselisttheactualamount(indollars)thatyoureceived.Pleaseattachaletterfromtheorganizationconfirmingtheactualamountofsupportinanappendix.(1,800 characters maximum)

TobecompletedSept.2016.7. Didyoupurchaseequipmentormakeaninstallationoncampus? Yes NoIfyes,pleasebrieflydescribehowtheseitemswillbemaintainedandusedinthefuture.(1,800 characters maximum)

Asignificantpartofthisproject'sbudgetwasallocatedtomaterialandequipmentpurchasingfortheconstructionofaninstallationattheBellairsResearchInstitute.Theresultisafunctionalgreenhouseon‐siteattheBellairsResearchInstitute.Thegreenhousewillrequiremaintenanceintwoways.First,theplantsrequiredailycareinvariousways.Pruning,pestcontrolandgrowingsystemsmaintenanceareexamplesofthetasksinvolvedincaringforplants.Second,thestructureofthegreenhousewillrequiremaintenanceinasimilarwayotherbuildingsonsitewill.Specialattentionneedstobegiventotheintegrityoftheroofandwallstopreventanyholesfromformingintheplasticsheetingornetting.Aperforationofanysortcanjeopardizethevaluablecropinthegreenhouse.AlthoughhurricanesrarelyhittheislandofBarbados,intheeventofaserioustropicalstorm,theplasticsheetingwillneedtoberemovedandreinstalled.Inthecaseofarapidlyapproachingstorm,acommonpracticeingreenhousemaintenanceistocutslitsintheplasticsheetingtopreventstructuraldamagefromthehighwinds.Evenifsparedfromstorms,theplasticsheetinghasatypicallifespanof2‐5yearsdependingonthequalityoftheproduct.Thegreenhousecurrentlyhasseed,growingmediaandnutrientsuppliestoallowforroughlyoneyearofproduction.Thechoiceofcrops,growingmediaandnutrientsmayvaryafterthisfirstyearofproductionasthestaffatBellairsdeveloptheirownmethodsofproductionandmaintenance.Itwillbetheinstitute'sresponsibilityafterthefirstyearofproductiontopurchasetherequiredmaterialforcontinuingfoodproduction.

8. Atthebeginningofyourproject,yousubmittedaworkplanorimpactmetricthatincludedtargetmeasurablesorindicatorsofyourproject’ssuccess(e.g.#oftonsofGHGemissionsreduced).Pleasepick3indicatorsthatbestshowcasethesuccessofyourprojectandcompletethetablebelow.Toshareupdatesonotherindicatorsthatyouset,pleaseattachanappendixtothisreport.

SelectedKeySuccessIndicators Target # Actual #

Number of partners  5  12 

Number of inquiries about the project  10  20+ 

Number of students who have access to sustainable food each day because of the project  TBD  10‐30 

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Ifthereisasignificantdifferenceinthetargetnumbersandtheactualnumbersachieved,pleaseexplain.Ifyouhaveanyadditionalinformationtoshareaboutthesesuccessindicators,pleasealsoincludeitbelow.(1,800 characters maximum)

Thereareveryfewsuccessindicatorsthatcameshyofourtargets.Twocasesinparticulararethenumberofstudentsreceivingcreditforresearchandthenumberofthesesorpaperspublishedaswewererequiredtokeeptheprojectseperatefrompotentialresearchwork.Somefutureassessmentsandresearchworkcanbedoneonthegreenhousebutforthescopeofthisprojectweneededtoavoidresearchwork.Coursecreditwasobtainedbytheundergraduatestudentswhoworkedontheproject.Pleaseseeattacheddocumentsreportingthecoursework.Mostothersuccessindicators(seeattacheddocument)remainedwithinourtargetsandsomeexceededourexpectations.WewerepleasantlysurprisedbythereceptionoftheprojectinBarbados.TherewasacontinuousfluxofinterestintheprojectwhiletheteamwasontheislandandmanymeetingswerescheduledforlatervisitswhentheteamwasbackinMontreal.Nowthattheprojectiscomplete,interestisalsosurfacinginMontrealintheMcGillcommunity,notablywithregardstotropicalagricultureandhowwe'reworkingtoimproveitsprocesses.

9. PleasecompletethetablebelowfortheStandardSPFKeySuccessIndicators,ifthedataisavailable.

StandardSPFKeySuccessIndicators Actual #

# of volunteers directly or indirectly engaged in the project  20‐30 

# of people (student, staff, or other) trained in the context of the project  15 

$ raised for project activities subsequent to SPF funding  TBD 

# of partnerships or collaborations developed between the project team and other McGill administrative units, student groups, community groups, other universities, and/or other groups/organizations.   

20+ 

RegardingthelastKeySuccessIndicator,pleaselistthegroupsand/ororganizationsthatyoucounted.(Unlimited characters; point form acceptable.)

BellairsResearchInstituteAdministrativeStaffSandyandSimonCannonatOutdoorsBarbadosDr.DanielleDonnelly,DepartmentofPlantScienceandBITSProgramDirectorStaffandownerMr.RodneyReaderARCIrrigationBarbadosStaffatC&IHardwareHoletown,BarbadosStaffatCartersHardwareBarbadosMs.LisaMustoratMasseyDistributions(formerlyAgrochemicalsBarbados)WilliamsMetals,BarbadosMs.JeanieGreaves,FacilitiesManagementatBellairsResearchInstituteMr.HarfordRowe,EmployeeandMaintenanceTechnicianatBellairsResearchInstituteMr.VictorSmall,EmployeeandMaintenanceTechnicianatBellairsResearchInstituteMr.JamesCumberbatch,localcontributorandcolleagueofMr.LucasMcCartneyStaffatWilliamsRentals,BarbadosMr.JohnHunte,SlowFoodBarbadosMr.MarkByer,AgriculturalOfficeratAgriculturalInformationServiceBarbados.KatrinaBradshaw,SeniorEconomist,BarbadosMinistryofAgriculture,Food,FisheriesandWaterResourceManagementMr.AllanEvelyn,PresidentandCEOatRotherleyConstructionKeeleyHolder,CEOHydrogrowFarms,Barbados.UndergraduatestudentsfromTheUniversityoftheWestIndies,CaveHill.JeffChandler,SeniorBiologyTechnicianinHorticulture,DepartmentofBiologicalandChemicalSciences,TheUniversityoftheWestIndies,CaveHill,Barbados.AnthonyParris,GeneralManager,SustainableBarbadosRecyclingCentre(SBRC)ShelleyJohnston,FinancialServicesTeamManager,FacultyofAgriculturalandEnv.Sciences.MarianMeei‐enWang,FinancialServicesTeamManager,FacultyofAgriculturalandEnv.Sciences.

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Manyotherpersonsandprofessionalswhohaveshowninterestintheprojectorvisitedthesiteduringconstructionandaftercompletionoftheconstruction.

IfyouhaveanyadditionalinformationtoshareabouttheStandardSPFKeySuccessIndicators,pleaseincludeitbelow.(1,800 characters maximum)

Seeattachedworkplandocument.10. Pleaserateyourprojectteam’soverallsatisfactionwiththesupportprovidedbytheSPFStaff.

Chooseonlyoneresponse. 

 Very Dissatisfied     Dissatisfied     Neither Satisfied Nor Dissatisfied     Satisfied     Very Satisfied     

11. Pleaseprovideanyfeedbackorrecommendationsregardingyourteam’sexperiencewiththeSPF.(Unlimited characters, suggested minimum 1 paragraph)

TheSPFteamassistedusinthisprojectwitheverystepoftheprocess,fromtheapplicationtothepreparationofthefinalreport.Wearetrulygreatfulforthehelpduringtheapplicationprocessasithelpeduscreateasolidworkplanandbudget,andultimatelyhepledusincreatingasuccessfulapplication.Althoughtherewerebumpsalongtheroadduetointricaciesandchallengesspecifictothisproject,ourexperiencewiththeSPFgroupwasverygood.Theteamwasveryquickwithansweringoureveryquestionandhelpingwithadressingissueswefacedoverthecourseoftheproject.

12. Ifthereisadditionalinformationyouwouldliketoshareaboutyourproject,pleaseusethefieldbelow.

(Unlimited characters)

Pleaseseeattacheddocumentsandmedia.

13. HasinvolvementinthisSPFprojectpositivelyimpactedyourteamintheareaofprofessionalgrowth?Pleasechooseone.Ifyouwouldliketoelaborate,pleaseusethefieldbelow.(800 characters maximum)

   Yes     No     Prefer Not to Share   

Mr.LucasMcCartneyandtheteamfromDr.MarkLefsrud'sBiomassProductionLabhaveworkedoninnovativefoodproductionsystemsforyears.ItisveryfulfillingtobringaresearchconcepttolifeandtheSPFteamgaveustheopportunitytodoso.ItwasrewardingtoleadthisprojectandapplyourexpertisetowardssustainablefoodproductionatMcGill.Twoteamsofundergraduatestudentstookpartintheconstructionofthegreenhouse,manyofwhomhadneverworkedinanengineeringorconstructionproject.Thisprojectallowedthemtolearnandaqcuirenewskills.ThisprojectallowedMr.McCartneytoshowhisstrengthasaprofessionalengineerandinstudentsupervision,andchallengehimselfinprojectmanagementandinsuccessfullybringingaprojecttocompletion.

14. HasinvolvementinthisSPFprojectpositivelyimpactedyourteamintheareaofpersonalgrowth?

Pleasechooseone.Ifyouwouldliketoelaborate,pleaseusethefieldbelow. (800 characters maximum)

   Yes     No     Prefer Not to Share  

TheprojecttookplaceabroadinBarbadosandthisaddedalevelofchallengetonearlyeverything.Mr.McCartneyandtheundergraduatestudentswhoassistedwiththeworkneededtodeveloptheabilityofadaptingtodifferentwaysandnewenvironments.Mr.McCartneywasabletodeveloptheabilitytonavigatethroughanewandforeignenvironmentandbeinapositiontosupervise,ensurethesuccessandoverseethesafetyoftheundergaduatestudentsthathewasmentoring.

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15. WhichofthefollowingskillsorattributeshasyourteamimprovedthroughinvolvementinyourSPFproject?Chooseallthatapply.

 Budgeting 

 Communications 

 Conflict Resolution 

 Leadership 

 Listening 

 Mentoring 

 Negotiating 

 Networking 

 Planning 

 Problem Solving 

 Project Management 

 Public Speaking 

 Stakeholder Engagement 

 Stakeholder Identification 

 Systems Thinking 

 Teamwork 

 Technology 

 Time Management 

 Writing 

 Other (Please specify in                                      the field below)

16. SincestartingyourSPFproject,hasyourteamimproveditsknowledgeofsustainability?

Pleasechooseone.Ifyouwouldliketoelaborate,pleaseusethefieldbelow.(800 characters maximum)

          Yes     No     Prefer Not to Share 

Thisprojecthasexpandedourknowledgeofsustainablitybyexposingustorealworldchallengesandissues.AlthoughwemayhavetechnologytoimprovesustainablityinourfoodsupplyinCanadaandinourneighboringcountries,thesamecannotbesaidaboutothernations.Addedchallengessuchasharshclimate,poorwatersupply,economicandsocio‐politicalissuescanleavecertaincommunitiesandnationsstrandedintermsofsustainability.Inourcase,thismeantmodifyingthestructural,agriculturalandhorticulturaltechnologythatwearefamiliarwithtomakeitadaptabletotheCaribbeanenvironment.

17. (Optional)Ifapplicable,pleaselistthetotalnumberofteammembersvoluntarilyself‐identifyingas

membersofmarginalizedcommunities:N/A

Pleaseidentifytherepresentedcommunitiesbelow.(e.g.women,Indigenouspeople,peopleofcolour,LGBTTQI,studentparents,membersofethnicminorities,immigrants,peoplewithdisabilities)(1,800 characters maximum)

N/A 

Thank you for completing your Final Report!   Please e‐mail your report to the SPF Staff attaching any additional information that you would like to share about your project                                   

(e.g. other reports, research, documents, photos, etc.).  Please note that this Final Report will be shared publicly on your SPF project’s webpage.  

Other: Design and Construction 

Project Title:

Activity Code:

Project Leader:

Email Address: mark.lefsrud@mcgill.ca Phone Number: (514) 398 7967

Project start date: April 15, 2015 Project end date:

DeliverablesType Updating Date

Workplan throughout

Budget throughout

Video n.a.

Photos n.a.

Progress report n.a.

Final report n.a.

Monitoring Impact Metrics* throughout

Project Workplan | See spreadsheet 2 for detailed workplanTask Start Date End Date Status Costs Purchase Date Purchase method Details

TARGET ACTUAL

Initiation of the project ‐ First Steps in 

BarbadosMay 23 2015 May 30 2015 Complete n/a n/a

Greenhouse Structure (roof, walls and 

foundation)May 23 2015 August 20, 2015 Complete $8,657.45

May‐June‐July 

2015

P‐card or Expense 

Report

Travel Summer 2015 May 23 2015 June 30, 2015 Complete $7,410.00 April 20, 2015P‐card or Expense 

ReportSummer Student May 1 2015 August 20, 2015 Complete $3,000.00 n/a Salary

Greenhouse Roof Covering/Gutter 

System/Rainwater Harvesting SystemSeptember 1, 2015 November 1, 2015 Complete $4,024.57

Sept‐Oct‐Nov 

2015

P‐card or Expense 

Report

Travel Fall 2015 September 1, 2015 October 1, 2015 Complete $5,534.00 August 1, 2015P‐card or Expense 

ReportGreenhouse Harvesting Systems and 

Improvement of IssuesMay 1, 2016 August 1, 2016 Complete $3,897.07

May‐June‐July 

2016

P‐card or Expense 

Report

Travel Summer 2016 May 1, 2016 June 1, 2016 Complete $5,534.00 April 1, 2016P‐card or Expense 

ReportSummer Student May 1, 2016 August 20, 2016 Complete $3,000.00 n/a Salary

September 1, 2016

Indicate how you will gauge 

success 

**   Examples of what your own planned communication and engagement deliverables could include: posters, launching event, workshops, consultations, online surveys, etc. This will allow MOOS to help with promotion of your project activities through our networks and social media (Facebook, Twitter, MOOS newsletter, etc.). Please do not forget to recognize the support of the SPF on all materials by including our logo (in the SPF Project 

Summer 2016

Summer 2016

Anything relevant: i.e. 

support required, etc.

If ApplicableMilestones, including the above deliverables and 

your own communication and engagement 

commitments**

Estimate mm/dd/yy Estimate mm/dd/yy If Costs 

Applicable

e.g. P‐Card; McGill 

Marketplace; Work Order; 

Expense Report

Choose from dropdown 

menu

SP0145

Sustainability Projects FundMcGill Office of Sustainability (MOOS) 1010 Sherbrooke St West, Suite 1200Montréal, Québec H3A 2R7

Bellairs Research Institute Greenhouse 

Dr. Mark Lefsrud

Fonds des projets durables Bureau de développement durable

1010, rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Suite 1200Montréal (Québec) H3A 2R7

Impact Metrics*

*   For selecting you Impact Metrics, you can inspire from the list 'SPF Sample Impact Metrics' that was provided to you with the Award Letter, in the SPF Project Package attached to the email.

September 1, 2016

April 18, 2015 Summer 2016

Start Date

September 15, 2015

May 23, 2015

April 18, 2015

May 23 2015

April 18, 2015

Completion Date

August 15, 2015

August 15, 2015

Number of hours (or days) worked on SPF 

project

10hrs per day when in 

Barbados

Estimate and average of 2hrs per 

week when in Montreal10 10‐‐12

Sandy and Simon Cannon at Outdoors 

BarbadosMs. Jeanie Greaves

ARC Irrigation Barbados Mr. Harford Rowe

C & I Hardware Holetown, Barbados Mr. Small

Carters Hardware Barbados Mr. James Cumberbach

Massey Distribution (formerly 

Agrochemicals Barbados)

Williams Rentals, 

Barbados Williams Metals, Barbados Mr. John Hunte

Number of Participants 25 25 20‐30

Number of McGill departments engaged 3 Dept. Bioresource Engineering Dept. Plant ScienceMcGill School of 

Envrironment

Dept. Dietetics 

and Nutrition Dept. Civil Engineering

Dept. of Natural 

Resources Sciences3 6

Number of McGill faculties engaged 2Faculty of Agricultural and Env. 

SciencesFaculty of Science

Faculty of 

Science2 3

Number of awards distributed TBD TBD TBDNumber of students receiving credit for 

research8 not applicable 8 N/A

Number of students receiving credit not originally listed 10 N/A 10Number of studies conducted TBD N/A N/A N/A

Number of students in courses with 

integrated SPF learning materials8 N/A N/A N/A

Number of theses or papers published TBD N/A N/A N/A

Number of events 1BITS Final Report Presentation Day 

2015, 2016

BFSS Final Presentation 

Day, 2014

Barbados 50th 

Anniversary of 

Independence

1 4

Number of event attendees 8 20+ 20+ 20+ 8 20+

Number of Volunteers 10Volounteers became or were more so 

participants or partners10 20‐30

Number of partnerships with local 

communities10 See parter section above; all local 10 12

Amount of continued engagement TBD TBD TBD TBD

Number of people educated 25 All BITS students 2015, 2016

University of the West 

Indies, Cave Hill, 

Barbados Students

Local 

greenhouse 

growers and 

potential 

greenhouse 

growers

25 25+

Number of inquiries about the project 10

Many local greenhouse growers, local 

persons interested in greenhouse 

production. 

Many McGill staff, 

students and faculty 

persons interested in 

tropical climate 

agriculture 

10 20+

Impact Metrics - We believe that the following impact metrics can be taken into consideration in this project.

Number of Partners 5 5 12

Number of media interviews 1Adapting Greenhouses for Region, 

The Barbados Daily Nation

Keen on Green at McGill, 

the McGill Reporter1 2

Number of articles on the project 1Adapting Greenhouses for Region, 

The Barbados Daily Nation

Keen on Green at McGill, 

the McGill Reporter1 2

$$$ saved because of your project TBD‘bang for your buck’ (i.e. for every $ you 

spent, 5Kg of food was produced)TBD

$$ diverted from non‐sustainable to 

sustainable suppliers/supplies/sourcesTBD

GHG emission reductions TBDCarbon Footprint Reduction TBD

Kilograms of food produced on campus TBD TBD40‐60kg 

estimateNumber of students who have access to

sustainable food each day because of

your project

TBDDepends on number of students on 

site at the Bellairs Research InstituteTBD 10‐‐30

Number of meals served TBD Too early to evaluatePercentage of on campus food that is 

sustainableTBD Too early to evaluate

Amount of food that is locally grown or 

producedTBD Too early to evaluate

Number of connections made between

different groups (undergraduate and

graduate, students and faculty,

students and administration, 

interdepartmental,

McGill community and

Montreal community etc.)

A vast parameter that is near 

impossible to monitor

Litres of Rain water captured TBD TBD290‐540 

gallons

The greenhouse on its own (using solely its roofs and rainwater harvesting system) is able to maintain its water needs during a light to moderate 

crop production*. This represents 20‐40 gallons per day of rainwater caputured, depending on nighttime precipitation. The Brace building on the 

Production estimates vary from 40‐60kg per square meter of fresh crop yearly, 

varying from leafy greens to tomatoes, cucumber and peppers. 

Bellairs Research Institute of McGill University

Holetown, St. James, Barbados

Tel (246) 422-2087 Fax (246) 422-0692

http://www.mcgill.ca/bella

Thursday 3 November 2016

Ref: SP0145 In-kind Contribution and Funding from Bellairs Research Institute (Bellairs)

Dear colleagues at SPF,

I write to express my thanks, on behalf of all at Bellairs Research Institute (Bellairs), for

the contribution that you have made towards sustainable agriculture, food safety and

food security at the campus – and to confirm the Institute’s counterpart contribution of

more than ten thousand dollars promised in the project proposal.

Every year, the Institute welcomes and feeds about 700 guest students and

researchers. Bellairs hosts guests from McGill and all corners of the globe and

maintains close association with local academic, government, and non-government

organizations. In the autumn of 2014, Bellairs initiated the sustainable food production

project by implementing a slow food garden and a shade-house that was subsequently

converted into a vegan eco-cafe. With the construction and operation of the sustainable

greenhouse funded by SPF, the opportunity for growing and serving nutritional, fresh

and local produce has been enhanced. This tropical greenhouse is also a hands-on

educational tool for the many students, researchers, and members of the public who

visit Bellairs.

The shade-house was originally designed and constructed by McGill students in

collaboration with their mentors from the Organic Growers and Consumers Association

(OGCA of Barbados) as part of the overall project at Bellairs for the culturing and

display of native Barbadian plants that are edible. The Slow Food Garden was also

designed and constructed by McGill students and OGCA mentors in 2014. The costs

for constructing the shade house, rainwater harvesting system, alternative energy

sources, and irrigation systems was in the order of $12,000 (BBD) for materials and

labour. These costs represent a counterpart contribution by Bellairs to the holistic

development of the site, including the SPF-funded Bellairs greenhouse.

The Bellairs greenhouse is powered by electricity originating from the Bellairs Research

Institute’s photovoltaic system. Water for the greenhouse and the slow food garden is

provided sustainably from rainwater harvesting during the rainy season. The Bellairs

greenhouse now provides fresh produce that supplements other ingredients harvested

from the slow food garden and the kitchen garden currently servicing the main campus,

as well as produce purchased from the organic growers and other local sources. The

chefs and cooks in the main kitchen and the eco-cafe are delighted with these

supplements to their menus.

Bellairs maintenance staff assisted with the construction of the greenhouse –

particularly the elements pertaining to security of the greenhouse -- and are currently

maintaining the structure, growing systems and plants to ensure viability of the project

into future years. This contribution is of utmost importance to the continuity of the

project. The costs for this can be estimated at $8,000 (BBD) for this year alone. At the

current rate of exchange the total amount of contributions by Bellairs to the SPF-funded

greenhouse project exceeds the amount of 10 thousand Canadian dollars promised in

the project proposal.

Sincerely,

Susan Mahon

Academic and Managing Director

Maintenance

Manual

Bellairs

Research

Institute

NVAC Greenhouse

Bellairs Research Institute, Holetown, St. James Parish. Barbados

Contact Information:

• Lucas McCartney; Ph. D Candidate in Bioresource Engineering, McGill. Patent of the NVAC Greenhouse

lucas.mccartney@mail.mcgill.ca Skype: lucas.mccartney

• Anthony Williams; Massy Trading-Agri Chemicals Staff

4304911 4318700 ext8626 or 8627

• Rachael Warner McGill Undegraduate-Bioresource Engineering rachael.warner@mail.mcgill.ca

• Rhys Burnell; McGill Undergraduate-Environmental Sciences rhys.burnell@mail.mcgill.ca

• Jessica Xavier McGill Undergraduate-Environmental Sciences jessica.xavier@mail.mcgill.ca

Anthony is available to help with any product needs relating to the greenhouse, including but not limited to seeds, insecticides, fertilizer, potting mix…

Step

1

Soak coco choir bags

ü Submerge in a basin of water for a

few hours, until they puff up.

Step

2

Set up the growbag support system.

Refer to figure 1.

Ensure the flow goes towards the

collection end of the greenhouse.

From bottom to top:

1. Cinder Block

2. 6’’ X ½’’ X 8’ treated wood

3. black plastic basin trays. Ensure the

drain overhangs at the draining end of

the greenhouse

4. Corrugated black trays

5. Coco choir grow bags (soaked)

6. Tie string around wood, tray and grow

back then run up to the wire lines

Figure 1: Hydroponic grow bag support system

above bags. There should be one

string for each plant

Step

3

Set up the hydroponic lines:

this step only needs to be done when

establishing a line for the first time

1. Run 1’’ black flexible piping from the

PVC to the desired length.

2. Punch emitters of desired flow rate

into the line

3. Cut a length of 1/8’’ black tubing to

connect emitter and stake

4. Put stake into opening in grow bag

Step

4

Plant seedlings:

1. Make a hole in coco choir

2. Plant seedling and place watering

stake near root system

3. Mark grow bags with date and plant

type

4. Water the system

Note: seeds must be germinated a few weeks before they can be transplanted.

Step

1 Germinate seeds:

1. Soak peat pods in water for about an hour,

or until they puff up

2. Place in containers and label, with plant

name and date

3. Place the seeds into the peat at a depth of

about 2 – 3 times their width.

4. Water daily until the cotyledons emerge.

Step

2 Plant seedlings:

1. Make a hole in coco choir

2. Plant seedling and place watering stake

near root system

3. Mark grow bags with date and plant type

Water the system

Step

3 Fertilize Water:

1. Once per week fertilize the hydroponic solution: • Dissolve 1 cup of Verti-go

hydroponic nutrient in 1-2 gallons of water and add to fertigate

• Dissolve 1 cup of calcium nitrate into 1-2 gallons of water and add to fertigate

• Dissolve 1 cup of magnesium sulphate into 1-2 gallons of water and add to fertigate.

2. Top up water from 1000-gallons rainwater catchment.

Note: fertigate is liquid solution in the

200-gallon water tank in the greenhouse.

Step

4 Program irrigation schedule:

1. Press the “schedules” button 2. Select “schedule B” 3. Select “water days” and endure all days are

on, press back 4. Select “schedule starts” and enter desired

start times, you can also turn them start times off here. Press back

5. Select “zone runtime” and under zone 2 input the desired length of each watering session

Note: The same procedure can be followed

to activate the misting system but using

“schedule A” and “zone 1”

Step

5 Growth Phase

1. Ensure the 200-gallon tank in the greenhouse has water to feed the greenhouse.

2. Fertilize each week, follow procedure in step 3 3. Train the plants up the strings by clipping them on

with plastic clips, see photo on the right. 4. Prune plants as they grow.

Step

6 Harvest and Post-Harvest

1. Harvest plants as they become ripe. 2. If a plant becomes overwhelmed with pests it

is best to remove it from the greenhouse. 3. All plants life span vary, regardless of the

species, pull the plants if pests become very bad

ü Peppers: remove plants from greenhouse about 6 months after planting

ü Tomatoes: remove plants from greenhouse about 6 months after planting

ü Cucumbers: remove plants from greenhouse after about 3 months

ü Swiss chard: harvest the whole plant

PESTS IN THE GREENHOUSE

The greenhouse has been plagued but white flies, leaf miners and caterpillars. The most damage has been done to the pepper plants, by white flies.

White flies: The photo above pepper plants infected with white flies.

Leaf Miner: The photo below shows leaf miner markings in tomato plant leaves. Prevent spread by cutting infected leaves.

Caterpillars: The photo on the right is a caterpillar feeding on the leaves

TREATMENT METHODS

Vertimec 18EC Insecticide: Used diluted in a spray bottle to control mites, leaf miners, thrips, fire ants, amongst others.

Triguard 75 WP: Insecticide to protect against extensive leaf miners infestation.

Diluted dish soap: Used for low level of white fly infestation.

GERMINATION

ü Ensure you label all of the seedlings with species and date.

ü Water every 1-2 days, do not let the peat pods dry out.

PLANTING

ü Ensure you label the grow bags with the date and plant.

ü Water after you transplant the new plants.

ü Ensure the effluent from the hydroponic system is flowing down into the collection basin.

GROWTH STAGE

ü Train the plants alone the string by using plastic clips to attach them.

ü Prune plants as they grow.

ü Keep an eye out for pests and deal with them accordingly, refer to pest control section.

HARVEST AND POST-HARVEST

ü Harvest fruit as it reaches maturity, depending on the time of consumption it can be harvested green mature or when it is ready for consumption.

ü All plants life span vary, regardless of the species, pull the plants if pests become very bad

o Peppers: remove plants from greenhouse about 6 months after planting

o Tomatoes: remove plants from greenhouse about 6 months after planting

o Cucumbers: remove plants from greenhouse after about 3 months

o Swiss chard: harvest the whole plant

ü It is not advisable to reuse the coco choir grow bags as it increases the risk of pests and disease.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

ü Look for leaks in the pipes and repair as necessary.

ü Verify all pumps are functioning periodically, especially that the pump feeding the hydroponic system and the sump-pump.

ü Fill and holes in the plastic and mesh with expanding foam, then paint with silver spray paint.

ü Clean the gutters if necessary.

1

Bellairs Research Institute Greenhouse (SP0145) – Summer

2015 – Summer 2016

Images prepared by Lucas McCartney

Figure 1 - Layout of the yard at the Bellairs Research Institute prior to construction. Summer 2015. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

2

Figure 2 - Measurements for foundation of greenhouse build. Summer 2015. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

Figure 3 - Digging of holes for concrete piles for greenhouse foundation. Summer 2015. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

3

Figure 4 – Holes and forms for greenhouse foundation. Summer 2015. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

Figure 5 – Concrete sign at greenhouse entrance highlighting the Bellairs greenhouse project. Summer 2015. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

4

Figure 6 – Layout of foundation and installation of first structural members. Summer 2015. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

Figure 7 –Installation of first structural members. Summer 2015. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

5

Figure 8 –The structure beginning to take shape. Summer 2015. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

Figure 9 - Cutting, bending and installation of roof structural members. Summer 2015. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

6

Figure 10 - Installation of greenhouse roof structure. Summer 2015. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

Figure 11 –Installation of gutter system and insect netting. Fall 2015. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

7

Figure 12 – Full installation of insect netting walls, gutter system and roof structure. Fall 2015. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

8

Figure 13 - Full installation of insect netting walls, gutter system and roof structure. Fall 2015. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

Figure 14 – Cutting and installation of roof polyethylene sheeting. Summer 2016. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

9

Figure 15 - Fully covered greenhouse with scaffolding for work on inside systems. Summer 2016. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

Figure 16 – Fully covered greenhouse with scaffolding for inside work. Summer 2016. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

10

Figure 17 - Work on the inside structure and beginning of growing systems design and installation. Rachael Warner and Jessica Xavier seen. Summer

2016. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

Figure 18 - Design and installation of gutter system for plants. Summer 2016. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

11

Figure 19 - Underground piping and plumbing for electrical supply and water supply. Summer 2016. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

12

Figure 20 - Electrical system installation for pumps and control syste. Summer 2016. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

13

Figure 21 - Design and installation of pump system for water supply to the plants. Undergraduates Rachael Warner and Rhys Burnell seen. Summer

2016. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

14

Figure 22 –Pump system for water supply to the misting system and to the plant growth system. Summer 2016. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

15

Figure 23 - Mixing of nutrients for plant growth system. Lucas McCartney seen. Summer 2016. Photo credit: Rachael Warner.

Figure 24 - Alternative watering zones. Summer 2016. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

16

Figure 25 - First young plants being planted. The seeds are germinated in small peat pellets and the grow bags are coconut coir. Summer 2016.

Photo credit: Rachael Warner.

Figure 26 - Installation of plant growing systems and first plants. Pepper plants seen in this picture. Lucas McCartney seen. Photo credi t: Lucas

McCartney

17

Figure 27 - Installation of drip irrigation lines and planting of first young plants. Lucas McCartney and Jessica Xavier seen. Summer 2016. Photo

credit Rachael Warner.

18

Figure 28 - Layout inside the greenhouse. Tomato, pepper, cucumber and Swiss chard plants are seen. Left side space reserved for alternat ive

growing. Summer 2016. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

19

Figure 29 – First cycle of crop. Mature Swiss chard and young pepper plants seen on the left and young tomato plants beginning to flower seen in

the middle. Summer 2016. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

20

Figure 30 - First crop of bell peppers. Summer 2016. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

21

Figure 31 - Space reserved for alternative growing techniques. Conventional production and peat production to begin in Fall 2016. Security fencing

seen along the walls of the netting of the greenhouse. Summer 2016. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

22

Figure 32 - Rainwater harvesting system for the Bellairs greenhouse. Gutter system collects rainwater from the roofs and a reservoir unde rground with a pump allows for collection of the water and pumping of the water to the plant irrigation tank inside the greenhouse. Summer 2016. Photo

credit: Lucas McCartney.

Figure 33 - Finished greenhouse at Bellairs Research Institute. Summer 2016. Photo credit: Lucas McCartney.

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