Proponents of Vertical Farming Grow Op Face Opposition

Proponents of Vertical Farming Grow Op Face Opposition

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

A video presentation on Life Force Canada’s YouTube Channel about creating an “intentional community” in the Village of Andrew that became public at the beginning of February has sparked controversy as well as created anxiety, fear, anger and uncertainty amongst local residents.

That is why residents, approximately 40 in total, came to the Village of Andrew council meeting on Feb. 8 to try and find out what was going on and hoped elected officials could shed some light on the situation.

Residents were seeking information and answers, but did not receive any at all. Instead, council stuck to its agenda and proceeded with the business of the day. There was no mention of the video, or Wendy Robinson, who was sitting in the gallery, but Deputy Mayor Tammy Pickett did tell people in attendance there would be an open house and presentation on Feb. 11 at the former Mallard Mart by the proponents of the proposed vertical farming grow operation.

Wendy Robinson in discussion with attendee.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Robinson is one of the proponents. She was the person who made the “intentional community” presentation to Life Force Canada members. In the video, Life Force Canada Co-creator Karen Klassen stated that she was so excited about the presentation regarding “sovereigns who are seeking to buy a town in northern Alberta and create the one small town initiative.”

Klassen told members that if they knew of other provinces that are creating the same thing to let her know so they could showcase them during their Monday calls. “We need to remember if you don’t have a vision people perish. It’s so important to speak into the existence the reality that we want to create.”

Life Force Co-creator Sandra Quinn also updated the group on a “watch party” that had been held before Robinson launched into her presentation. Robinson said she had a vision for what the intentional community would look like. She explained, “That we’d have the finest schools and we’d have a very secure nutritious food system and our water secured, and that we would have growing centres, and we would have our own form of governing ourselves, you know separate from the government as much as possible.”

Robinson went on to say, “Our purpose then is to empower us and Canada First Nations with a sovereign community food system from which we can begin healing our people nutritionally, economically and spiritually.”

She said, “a lot of people have come together on this project” and their intention to convert the former Co-op grocery store, a 10,000 sq. ft. facility, into a state of the art facility to grow nutritionally dense food.

Robinson pointed out that most of the town was for sale for around $6 million. “I would like to bring the one town idea, that way of managing and governing ourselves so that we have a private member association.”

As this video continued to be circulated and viewed publicly people began to wonder and question what the true intention was behind all of it and that is what prompted the large turnout at the village council meeting.

Sheila Lupul, who was in attendance at the council meeting, said she wanted to see if council would address the fact that a less than desirable organization was wanting to buy properties in the village and create an “intentional community” in Andrew.

After viewing two of their videos, Lupul said, “It seems they want to create a ‘free’ society by implementing self-governance. So, no access to federally or provincially funded programs. Mobile hospitals and dental care was mentioned as well as a community policing system. The videos mentioned a Sovereign City numerous times. This is making me pretty nervous as a ratepayer and I just wanted to see where council stood on this idea.”

Former Mayor Heather Tait commented that, “The pulse of our community is a mix of panic, anxiety, and anger; expressly regarding Andrew Council as ratepayers essentially have been abandoned and silenced by their own elected officials who have unjustly failed to address the public, which is the duty of a responsible council who owes a ‘duty to accommodate’, as opposed to imposing a three week wait period to address at the February 22 council meeting. It’s certainly justified that Andrew citizens are very concerned, anxious and angry regarding the ‘Intentional Community’ threat.

Andrew is in a precarious and prime position regarding its vulnerable state for, a group as such, to make plans and even joke about Andrew to be ‘their’ Intentional Community also known as a Sovereignty Community. As indicated in the video ‘due to its size, location, ‘off the beaten path’. Unfortunately, our Municipal Government has shown us that they don’t have strong hand on the pulse of Andrew nor is influential in position, honorhonorably, transparently, or by presence regarding their voters’ concerns. As demonstrated after the video of Life Force Canada circulated at lightning speed throughout Andrew and beyond by Feb. 2, including the Lamont Leader Interview/story on Feb. 1st paper, provided clear indication of a linking-of-minds with Mayor Haight which was also referenced within the Life Force Canada video.”

The open house had just as many, if not more people than the village council meeting in attendance. At times the presentation was combative and at other times congenial. There were heated words exchanged as well as several confrontations during the two hour affair.

Russ Brower Berkhoven with ALDGreen.tech stated that, “My purpose here is to work in operations and set up the grow op.” He talked about the patents he holds on using electromagnetic wavelength to manipulate plant grow without using chemicals. He said they would have 100 growing towers in total with three or four to begin with. They would employ 10-40 people from the community.

Brower Berkhoven said he had several investors, and that Howie Jackson was his partner in this venture. He was challenged as to where the money was coming from for the venture and that if he had the funds to buy the building. First, he said he would have to prove to the owner of the building that I can guarantee the return.

From left to right: Russ Brower Berkhoven, Wendy Robinson and Howie Jackson.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

He was continually being pressed for answers before stating, “Why would anybody with money want to invest in a town like this when you get a response like this?” He was challenged to provide details of a business model, and asked the person if they would sign a non-disclosure agreement. Wendy Robinson said they didn’t have to do so, which prompted the question what are you trying to hide then?

Hereditary Chief Howie Jackson of Saddle Lake took the floor and explained that the goal was food sovereignty for his people. “I’m here to make sure my Nation gets fed.” He added that they would create their own system within a system that would be governed by bloodlines, that it had nothing to do with democracy or legislation and would fall under the rule of natural sovereign law.

Jackson was asked by a resident, “What will you do to us?” He replied, “This all becomes sovereign land. So, the land title doesn’t belong to you, but that doesn’t mean we’re kicking you out. You’ll still govern yourselves and we’ll govern ourselves….What we’re looking for is to create a sovereign community here.”

Growing tower.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

He explained about the work that is being done with treaties 3, 4,5,6,7 and 8 in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan with upcoming meetings in Manitoba to create a new template to be used across the nation.

Orron Boire, who lives just outside Andrew and owns property in the community, said, “I think it’s good for the town. The town is dying and it’s been dying. Any opportunity brought to the table is better than anything we’ve got right now.”

Boire said people are leaving town and it’s depleting and firmly believes they will close the school. As to how all the sovereign nation will work, he said it sounds like they are sorting out. “As long as they are not going to put us over a barrel so to speak, you know. I think it’s a good thing for the town. It’s going to bring people in, bring money in, business in and maybe we can start growing something here, people.”

The Vegreville News Advertiser contacted Mayor Haight for comment, but had not received a response at press time.