La Terra Vita Springs Grows Food in Challenging Climate

La Terra Vita is a community-based working and educational farm in Ashland, Oregon and is growing herbs and fruit trees at 4,700 feet in a Growing Dome Greenhouse. That’s not particularly high in elevation compared to many gardens in the Rocky Mountains, but this farm is unique in that they have a much better-growing environment just down the road in the Willamette Valley. Founders Regina Manian and Elise and Jeff Higley chose the spot for its complexity, challenge and beauty. They are looking to show others what’s possible even when growing conditions are not ideal. They have a number of projects going at once including propagation in a 33′ Growing Dome greenhouse, an outdoor herb garden, an experimental orchard, a mushroom barn, bee hives, and much more. They are a stunning example of what diversification can do for a small farm and what a small sustainable center can do to change the world.