Preparing the Soil for a New Beginning at KM 0

This past week marked an exciting milestone for the Chisasibi Eeyou Resource and Research Institute (CERRI). Our agriculture team began tilling the soil at KM 0, an important step in preparing new farmland for future planting seasons. Equipped with our newly acquired Kubota MX5400 tractor and supported by dedicated youth community researchers, this work represents more than just turning soil — it’s about turning possibilities into reality.

Kubota MX5400 Tractor Tilling the Soil at KM 0

With the help of Preston Sam, Collin Snowboy, and Brody Sam, the team carefully tilled and aerated the compacted soil to create a healthy environment for future crops. By loosening the earth and allowing more air and water to reach plant roots, this process gives life back to the ground. It also allows organic matter to break down more easily, creating fertile conditions that will benefit future generations of growers in Chisasibi.

This effort is part of CERRI’s growing commitment to agriculture, food sovereignty, and community-led learning. For many years, our community has relied on imported groceries that travel great distances to reach us. Through projects like the KM 0 farm site, we are taking meaningful steps toward changing that reality — by reconnecting to the land, producing our own food, and teaching others how to do the same.

As the tractor made its first passes across the field, it symbolized more than just new equipment — it symbolized progress and resilience. Every furrow turned was a reminder that agriculture in the North is possible through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and determination.

Looking ahead, CERRI plans to plant cover crops in the spring of 2026 as the next step in restoring and strengthening the soil. Cover crops play a vital role in fixing nitrogen, improving soil structure, and preventing erosion. By enriching the soil naturally, they will help create the ideal foundation for planting and future crop production.

What began as a field of compacted soil is now becoming a foundation for the future — a place where hands-on research, traditional knowledge, and innovation come together for the benefit of our community.

At CERRI, we believe that healthy land creates healthy food, and healthy food nourishes healthy people. This tilling and soil preparation project is one more step toward that vision — a vision rooted in Eeyou knowledge, community collaboration, and a shared hope for self-sufficiency in the North.