Meet your Cook County neighbor: Andrew Duhaime
Dec 18, 2023 05:34AM ● By Editor
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A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - December 16, 2023
Have you lived in Cook County all of your life or how did you "land" here?
My father is from Cook County (was born here in GM in 1954). He's a band member of Grand Portage and I am also. I have always visited the area growing up. I always wanted to move here since I was a kid and after years of working as a chemist I decided to just finally move here in 2014. After meeting my wife we got married 3 months later and now we are about to have our 4th child.
A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - December 16, 2023
Have you lived in Cook County all of your life or how did you "land" here?
My father is from Cook County (was born here in GM in 1954). He's a band member of Grand Portage and I am also. I have always visited the area growing up. I always wanted to move here since I was a kid and after years of working as a chemist I decided to just finally move here in 2014. After meeting my wife we got married 3 months later and now we are about to have our 4th child.
Where did your passion for gardening come from?
My mother and grandmother started my interest in gardening. My grandma was really the gardener and my mom tried but was always busy working. I grew up in the house my grandparents built so the garden space was always there. And I had that growing up. Moving around the states I always tried to have a garden where I lived even if it was one tomatoe plant on the balcony. Since I've lived in Grand Portage fresh food is always hard to come by so I started growing it myself just to have it available. When Andy Schmidt left the gardening job in Grand Portage I decided to fill it. It was when the border with Canada closed so my job at Ryden's was ending and perfect timing. Since working that job I just wanted to grow a lot of stuff. A wide variety and a large quantity. Each year I decide to downsize but never do. I always expand. My wife and I bought 10 acres last year that am currently developing into a spot for high tunnels and raised beds.
Why motivated you to start your YouTube channel?
I started my YouTube channel (Grand Portage Gardener) so I could show my mom my garden from a different state. That's really why I started it. Now it's developed into a video log of what I'm doing at home, in the community, and on my homestead.
What do you do in the winter when you can't garden? Do you have any other fun hobbies that you enjoy "off season"?
In the winter it's really hard for me but I have the grow lights buzzing in the basement growing flats of spring mix and microgreens. Eagerly waiting to get seedlings started I count the days until its time. Getting onion seeds started early helps see the growing greens and give me some peace of mind. Otherwise with the holidays it's a break from gardening. Since we got the deep winter greenhouse going in Grand Portage its been nice to see food growing that time of the year.
In the winter it's really hard for me but I have the grow lights buzzing in the basement growing flats of spring mix and microgreens. Eagerly waiting to get seedlings started I count the days until its time. Getting onion seeds started early helps see the growing greens and give me some peace of mind. Otherwise with the holidays it's a break from gardening. Since we got the deep winter greenhouse going in Grand Portage its been nice to see food growing that time of the year.
Do you have any new or fun plans for your 2024 garden?
In 2024, I am making room for a high tunnel and getting my homestead ready for raised beds. Carving out the forest is difficult work so I'm sure 2024 will be mostly that. We are also having our 4th child in spring so hopefully the other kids can help me get the garden planted while the wife takes care of the baby.
Lastly, with the upcoming holiday season, are there any family traditions that you were raised with that you still practice today as an adult?
In 2024, I am making room for a high tunnel and getting my homestead ready for raised beds. Carving out the forest is difficult work so I'm sure 2024 will be mostly that. We are also having our 4th child in spring so hopefully the other kids can help me get the garden planted while the wife takes care of the baby.
Lastly, with the upcoming holiday season, are there any family traditions that you were raised with that you still practice today as an adult?
LOL, FAMILY TRADITIONS HUH? I think all my holiday traditions are fairly typical. We are traveling to the Philippines on Christmas eve so this year we will be on an airplane or car for 32 hours while everyone else is celebrating Christmas. Fortunately New Years is a major celebration there and we will literally ring in the new year by making as much noise as possible. At the stroke of midnight we bang on pots, shake tambourines, holler, and be loud. Maybe light some fireworks. That noise making tradition is maybe not so typical for us in the states but other than that my celebrations are pretty typical.
Andrew Duhaime [6 Images]
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