Norway: Crop production in the Arctic Circle is possible

It seems impossible, but still possible to grow crops in the Arctic Circle. The northernmost settlement in the world, Longyearbyen is home to 2,000 people. Food for the local population and guest workers is provided exclusively through imports, and the waste generated is exported. In the unfriendly Spitsbergen, known for its harsh temperatures and stubborn winds, crop production is almost equal to the impossible - not to mention sustainability. Benjamin Vidmar, co-founder of Polar Permacultures, grows leafy and other vegetables in outdoor and indoor growing equipment. The project began in 2016 with the purchase of an outdoor greenhouse from Alaska. Currently, beets, herbs and radishes are grown. The facility is heated exclusively by solar energy during the summer. The growing season lasts from early May to early September, when sunlight allows for outdoor cultivation. Outside this period, indoor cultivation begins. With leafy vegetables and herbs, Ben supplies some of the local ...