Upernaviarsuk Research Station – South Greenland
Published: 27/10/2020
Reading time: 3 minutes
Upernaviarsuk Research Station is a short excursion from Qaqortoq, and one that provides an insight into the challenges of growing fresh produce in Greenland.
If you’ve spent any time in Greenland, you will have noticed how expensive fresh fruit and vegetables are in the supermarket. There is a very simple reason for this… It is extraordinarily difficult to grow anything in Greenland and therefore most produce needs to be shipped in from Denmark or Iceland. The exceptions are potatoes. These actually do quite well in the green fields of South Greenland (no, it’s not all ice and snow) and are sold all over the world, including to Michelin star restaurants.
Visiting Upernaviarsuk
My first trip to Hvalsey Church also included a visit to the Upernaviarsuk Research Station. Rugged up in our flotation suits, we headed across the fjord on our way back to Qaqortoq and marveled at the bright green fields as we approached our next stop. Their structured geometry seemed very out of place amidst nature’s random landscape.
The reason Upernaviarsuk Research Station looks like a farm is because it is one. It is also a school and a real-world agricultural laboratory where experiments with new horticultural techniques are carried out to see whether the range of local produce can be expanded.
There were not too many people around during our visit, so Suuluaraq led us to various part of the farm, including outdoor hot beds
and large greenhouses
that contained everything from flowers
to vegetables
to some surprisingly good-looking strawberries!
He explained that thanks to the changing climate, tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, cucumber, cabbage, cauliflower, several different root vegetables, rhubarb, and strawberries have all been successfully grown here. And all without the use of chemicals or pesticides! As one of the least polluted places on Earth – Greenland is essentially disease and pest free and able to produce high-quality organic produce … if you can get it to grow.
The farm was established in 1959 by the Greenlandic and Danish governments and is actually an important part of the Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage Listed area of South Greenland, representing the more modern era of sub-arctic agriculture.
Explore Upernaviarsuk for yourself
Upernaviarsuk is an interesting excursion from Qaqortoq and a great way to learn about the challenges of agriculture in Greenland. You can combine your visit with a trip to Hvalsey Church as they are both in the same direction and make a good half-day outing.
If you are planning a trip to Upernaviarsuk, I also recommend reading the Ultimate Travel Guide to Qaqortoq, as South Greenland’s largest town will likely be the starting point for your trip.
Many thanks to Suuluaraq from Greenland Sagalands for showing us around the station!
- Read the Ultimate Travel Guide to Qaqortoq
- Check out all the tours available in South Greenland
Read more travel blogs from Lisa Germany
-
Flights Included!
Northern Lights Explorer | South Greenland
Tour startsFrom IcelandDuration8 daysFrom 25300 DKKSee more -
Accommodation and tours included!
Greenland’s Majestic Frontiers | 12 Days in Nuuk & Ilulissat | West Greenland
Tour startsNuukDuration12 daysFrom 92000 DKKSee more -
5.00(2)Children friendly tour!
Family friendly Dogsledding Express tour | Ilulissat
Tour startsIlulissatDuration1.5 hoursFrom 1750 DKKSee more -
Including flights from Denmark!
8 Days of Autumn Glow & Arctic Wonders in West Greenland | Nuuk & Sisimiut
Tour startsFrom CopenhagenDuration8 daysFrom 22700 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)
Boat Transfer between Kulusuk and Tasiilaq | East Greenland
Tour startsKulusuk TasiilaqDuration1 hourFrom 2000 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)
Evening sailing with chance of Northern Lights | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration3 hoursFrom 1150 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)New tour!
Ride Snowmobile & Dog Sled and visit UNESCO Heritage Site | Ilulissat
Tour startsIlulissatDuration4 hoursFrom 3100 DKKSee more -
1-10 people included
Boat charter | Open Boat | Qasigiannguit | Disko Bay
Tour startsQasigiannguitDuration2 hoursFrom 1600 DKKSee more -
Accommodation and tours included!
Arctic Capital to Wilderness Escape | 4 Days in Nuuk & 2 Nights at Camp Kangiusaq
Tour startsNuukDuration6 daysFrom 15400 DKKSee more -
Sailing tour with Photographer!
Photo Excursion | Disko Bay and Uummannaq | 8 days | Guide to Greenland
Tour startsIlulissatDuration8 daysFrom 58500 DKKSee more -
5.00(2)
Discover Dogsledding | 2 hours | Sisimiut
Tour startsSisimiutDuration2 hoursFrom 2200 DKKSee more -
Group pricing
Heart of Greenland | The Capital Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration4 daysFrom 16228 DKKSee more -
3.67(3)
Tundra And Wildlife Tour | Kangerlussuaq | West Greenland
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration1.5 hoursFrom 435 DKKSee more -
Authentic experience!
Ice fishing with local fisherman at UNESCO heritage site | Ilulissat
Tour startsIlulissatDuration8 hoursFrom 3700 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)2027 departures!
Multi-day Dogsledding from Tasiilaq | East Greenland
Tour startsKulusukDuration8 daysFrom 26600 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)
Private Kayak Tour in Ilulissat Icefjord from the boat | Ilulissat
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 hoursFrom 1650 DKKSee more -
Including flights from Denmark!
8 Days of Spring In The Arctic | West Greenland & Disko Bay
Tour startsFrom CopenhagenDuration8 daysFrom 24990 DKKSee more -
Scenic Flight
Greenland Icecap & Blue Lakes | Kangerlussuaq
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration40 minutesFrom 2050 DKKSee more