Arts Incubator and Land Lab News

Jammin’ at the Pioneer Club Gerry McArthur, Maurice Betournay, and Tanya McArthur were among the talented musicians who performed at the Pioneer Club Atikokan's Sunday JAM Wrap-up on May 25th.

Gerry McArthur, Maurice Betournay, and Tanya McArthur were among the talented musicians who performed at the Pioneer Club Atikokan's Sunday JAM Wrap-up on May 25th.

Jammin’ at the Pioneer Club

Terri Bell May 25, 2025

The Pioneer Club Atikokan was buzzing with energy this past Sunday, May 25th, as it hosted a...

Why Are Some of Our Apple Trees Purple? A surprising pop of purple! This young apple seedling—grown from a 30-year-old Gala tree—is showing off deep reddish-purple leaves. A beautiful reminder that every apple seed holds a unique genetic story, and nature doesn’t repeat itself.

A surprising pop of purple! This young apple seedling—grown from a 30-year-old Gala tree—is showing off deep reddish-purple leaves. A beautiful reminder that every apple seed holds a unique genetic story, and nature doesn’t repeat itself.

Why Are Some of Our Apple Trees Purple?

Jamie Bell May 19, 2025

We’ve been noticing something curious in our small, but growing apple orchard: some of our apple trees...

Horsetails: Ancient Survivors with a Knack for Scrubbing A solitary stalk of horsetail, a living fossil reaching towards the light. This ancient plant, a survivor from the age of dinosaurs, showcases its unique segmented stem, a testament to millions of years of evolution.

A solitary stalk of horsetail, a living fossil reaching towards the light. This ancient plant, a survivor from the age of dinosaurs, showcases its unique segmented stem, a testament to millions of years of evolution.

Horsetails: Ancient Survivors with a Knack for Scrubbing

Jamie Bell May 19, 2025

Unraveling the Unique Biology of Equisetum Ever spot a segmented green stalk reaching up from the earth? You...

Artificial Intelligence Online Weekend Workshop Join us for an exciting group discussion and workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Arts! This session delivered by Winnipeg artist Jamie Bell will delve into the fascinating intersection of technology and creativity, exploring how AI is shaping and influencing artistic expression across various mediums.

Join us for an exciting group discussion and workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Arts! This session delivered by Winnipeg artist Jamie Bell will delve into the fascinating intersection of technology and creativity, exploring how AI is shaping and influencing artistic expression across various mediums.

Artificial Intelligence Online Weekend Workshop

The Arts Incubator May 19, 2025

Join us for an exciting group discussion and workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Arts!

Lupins in the Landscape Lupin leaves glisten with morning dew in a thriving patch of wild greenery in Northwestern Ontario. Known for their striking palmate shape and soft, slightly fuzzy texture, these native perennials do more than add visual interest—they actively restore the land. As nitrogen-fixers, lupins enrich depleted soils, making them valuable allies in regenerative agriculture and wildland restoration.

Lupin leaves glisten with morning dew in a thriving patch of wild greenery in Northwestern Ontario. Known for their striking palmate shape and soft, slightly fuzzy texture, these native perennials do more than add visual interest—they actively restore the land. As nitrogen-fixers, lupins enrich depleted soils, making them valuable allies in regenerative agriculture and wildland restoration.

Lupins in the Landscape

Art Borups Corners May 18, 2025

Lupins (Lupinus spp.) are more than just eye-catching wildflowers. These hardy plants are a common sight in...

These early white blossoms belong to the Saskatoon bush (Amelanchier alnifolia), one of the boreal forest’s most generous and resilient plants. For generations, Saskatoon berries have nourished communities, supported pollinators, and thrived in northern climates. This year, we're proud to be adding Saskatoon bushes to our food production project—deepening our connection to the land, strengthening local food systems, and honouring traditional knowledge through action.

Saskatoon Berry Blossoms Signal Spring Across Northern Forests

Jamie Bell May 17, 2025

Across northwestern Ontario and Manitoba forests this May, delicate white blossoms are beginning to emerge on a...

Tips for Growing Raspberries in a Community Garden Program Hello, spring! Overwintered raspberry shoots are bursting with life, a beautiful sign of success in our Northwestern Ontario sustainable agriculture pilot. Building local food production and supporting Indigenous food systems with partners.

Hello, spring! Overwintered raspberry shoots are bursting with life, a beautiful sign of success in our Northwestern Ontario sustainable agriculture pilot. Building local food production and supporting Indigenous food systems with partners.

Tips for Growing Raspberries in a Community Garden Program

Tony Eetak May 17, 2025

Exciting growth in our community garden! Phase 2 of our sustainable agriculture project in Northwestern Ontario.

One Week In: Raspberries Showing Signs of Success What a difference a week makes! Check out the incredible growth of our raspberry plants.

One Week In: Raspberries Showing Signs of Success

Art Borups Corners May 16, 2025

See the exciting growth our raspberry crops have achieved in just one week as our food security...

Year two of our arts incubator land lab's food security program is in full swing! We've grown dozens of beautiful apple pippins from seed since February, excited to expand our sustainable agriculture project. But moving them outdoors brought an unexpected challenge: environmental shock! Seeing those dried, stressed leaves was a learning moment. We're now focused on helping them recover through careful "hardening off" – gradually reintroducing them to the outdoor environment. This means starting in a sheltered spot, slowly increasing their exposure to sun and wind, and ensuring consistent, proper watering.

Sustainable Apple Care: Tips for Young Trees & Environmental Stress

Jamie Bell May 16, 2025

Expanding our food security program, our land lab moved dozens of indoor-grown apple pippins outdoors. We faced...

Melgund Local Service Board Approves Deck and Event Stage Funding, Discusses Financial Strategies An overhead view of the Melgund Township recreation complex, which supports the communities of Dyment and Borups Corners and area in Northwestern Ontario.