School Greenhouses


Cultivating Sustainability Inside the Bear Park Permaculture Center

In 2013, a group of sustainability studies students at Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs gathered to brainstorm ideas for a permaculture haven on campus. During that session, Natalie S suggested transforming a sunny old soccer field into a solar greenhouse. A decade later, this haven has become the well-known Bear Park Permaculture Center, fostering sustainable education, creativity, and social inclusivity. One of the main focal points of this project is a 1,400-square-foot Growing Dome Greenhouse installed in 2020.

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News and Events, Fall/Winter 2021

Stratton School has expanded the garden program to include a grow dome, allowing the program to run through all but the coldest months.

“The goal of the garden program is to provide a sustainable, alternative food experience for students and faculty that encourages hands-on learning, health, and well-being at Eustis School,” Wuori said. “Stratton School wants all students to leave Stratton with the knowledge of food choice and the importance of community through understanding local resources.”

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Automated Greenhouse in Suburban Denver

In addition to gas, electricity, and water, Richard ran an Ethernet cable underground through the conduit to a PoE (Power over Ethernet) switch in the dome. This allowed him to plug a WiFi node and a SmartThings hub into the switch. He then installed three PoE cams in the Dome: one on the north end, one on the south, and one underwater. "I can watch the dome interior on my phone or computer anywhere. I put in a set of three 6 watt LED lights on the bottom of the pool, so now I can see the fish more easily. For backup, there is a SmartThings temp/humidity sensor in the dome and a door sensor that can warn me if I’ve left the door open.

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Help Grow A Dome for Food Insecure Communities

These non-profits are working to increase access to locally grown organic food in their communities There are many challenges facing our planet’s agricultural systems. Climate change, pesticides, GMOs, over-farming, soil health, corporate agriculture among many others. Food insecurity is also a major concern, as many communities do not have access to fresh, healthy organic food....

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Cloud City Farm: Growing the Impossible at 10,000 Feet

Cloud City Farm: From Superfund Site to Community Gardens, Thriving High Altitude Farm and Year-Round Growing Dome Greenhouse With only 28 frost free days a year, and living 10,000 feet above sea level, they are growing what at first might seem impossible. Cloud City Conservation Center (C4) Cloud City Conservation Center (C4)  is a non-profit 501(c)3...

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Littleton Academy and Annie’s Pond

In 2014, the fine folks at Littleton Academy, in Littleton, CO, were awarded the Growing Spaces In-Kind Grant Award. The mission of their project, in their own words: “to create an environmentally efficient and sustainable greenhouse that can be funded after inception by the revenue generated from the selling of seeds, flowers for Mother’s Day, organic...

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Sierra House Elementary: Going Beyond The Curriculum

Sierra House Elementary School in Tahoe, California purchased two 18’ Growing Domes® from Growing Spaces® in September 2014. The installation was complete by November 2014. Michelle McLean, the dome chair; Kristi Wilson, first grade teacher & Dome manager; Rebecca Bryson, assistant Dome fundraiser; and Ryan Galles, Principal of Sierra House Elementary, had only dreamed about...

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Growing Spaces 2015 Grant Award Announcement

Growing Spaces is proud to announce this year’s grant recipients. We had several applicants this season, which made the decision quite difficult. By weighing several different factors, such as the quality and details provided in the application, we arrived at a conclusion. We also considered the number of people that would be affected by the...

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Community Greenhouse in Manchester, UK Makes Real Food

Here at Growing Spaces we often talk about how we have Growing Dome Greenhouses at over 100 schools around the world. Our founder, Udgar Parsons, grew up in England and has spent the later part of his life in the US. His multi-national background makes him naturally excited to now own an international company. When...

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2014 In-Kind Grant Winners Announced

Grant Awards Announced We are pleased to announce the three winners of this year’s Growing Spaces In-kind Grant Awards. Each of these well deserving organizations has diligently planned and raised funds for their school and/or community gardening program that will include a Growing Dome® greenhouse. It is with great joy that we join the movements...

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From Brownies to Broccoli in the Greenhouse

On March 25, 2014, in Durango, CO, a group of dynamic young women from the Telluride Middle School presented their service learning project as part of the Destination ImagiNation Project Outreach Challenge. The team, dubbed “Telluride Grow Dome Girls”, was tasked with identifying, designing and implementing a project that addressed a real community need. They...

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Durango Students Lead Movement in Eating Locally Grown Food

Animas Valley students and their 22′ Growing Dome school greenhouse make big news, eating locally grown food. From the Durango Herald newspaper November 18, 2014: “Students and faculty at Animas Valley Elementary School were busy on Thursday afternoon collecting tomatoes, red lettuce, radishes and a few carrots from a greenhouse and garden on the premises....

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Freeman Public School Teacher Puts Purpose to FFA Studies

Freeman Public School FFA program now has a Growing Dome. Introverts are typically viewed as unlikely agents of change, and it's so wonderful when that stereotype is blown out of the water by someone like Tony Jensen of Freeman Public School. In this article that outlines the leadership role he took on to bring his students, school and school district along with building a 33 ft. Growing Dome, Tony says, "I am not one to stand up and talk to a big crowd." That didn't stop him from leading his community to raising $30,000 for the project. The creativity of the students and their teacher has made this endeavor beyond an educational mission. They are growing food with a purpose at Freeman Public School. The produce will be incorporated into their school lunches at Freeman Public School as well as go to their local Food Bank.

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2013 Growing Spaces In-Kind Grant Winners Announced

We are pleased to announce the top three winners of this year’s Growing Spaces In-kind Grant Awards. Each of these well deserving organizations has diligently planned and raised funds for their education programs that will include a Growing Dome® greenhouse. It is with great joy that we join the movements to contribute to and support...

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Freeman Public Schools’ New Greenhouse Classroom

Freeman Public School students in Nebraska are just now settling into their new 33 ft. diameter Growing Dome greenhouse classroom. Over the course of about nine months they were able to write grants and receive enough funding to purchase the greenhouse classroom. The main contributions were grants from DuPont Pioneer and Farm Credit Services of...

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Truckee Elementary and the Dome Raising Project Come Together

Awhile back we introduced you to Susie Sutphin and Bill Kelly of Truckee Community Farm in California. They had recently purchased and built a 33′ Growing Dome from Growing Spaces and were already looking to expand beyond their current garden. They had a vision for the Dome Raising Project as a part of their budding Tahoe...

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Naropa University Greenhouse Conducts Valuable Research

We recently received an update from Jason Gerhardt at Naropa University Greenhouse in Boulder, CO on the current projects going on in their 22′ Growing Dome named the William D. Jones Community Greenhouse and… we were stunned that so many amazing things were going on in their greenhouse! Not only are the projects prolific, but they...

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Garden Innovation Continues at Reed City High School

It’s been well over a year now that we have been following Reed City High School’s progress in their 51′ Growing Dome. The science students are working on a number of innovative gardening projects including aquaponics, hydroponics and vermicomposting. It’s so fantastic to see this group of youth getting the full benefit of the learning...

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Mini University Dome

One of the new educational domes we have going up right now is being built at a Mini University Childcare Center in Dayton, Ohio. A state senator and other local dignitaries will be onsite on September 13th to witness the ribbon cutting, and official opening of the 33′ Growing Dome. One of the school administrators,...

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Learning in Grand Traverse Academy’s Growing Dome

Grand Traverse Academy in Michigan has been using aquaponic and hydroponic techniques in their Growing Dome garden for 2 years with great success. They are learning a lot along the way and continuing to increase their yield. Their fish species of choice does well in cold water and provides them with fertilized water for their...

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Students Learn Firsthand About Growing Food

A great partnership between Taos’ Chrysalis Alternative School and the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps has come to fruition with the building and gardening of their new 26′ Growing Dome. Thanks to an article from The Taos News we get to share with you their outstanding progress. “Students at Taos’ Chrysalis Alternative School are learning about...

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Cripple Creek Kids Start Their Own School Garden

This high altitude 22′ Growing Dome is finally coming to fruition for these elementary school students in Cripple Creek, Colorado and their story made the local newspaper. We are very excited for them and wish them happy gardening! Here’s an excerpt from the article: On the theory that kids are more likely to eat vegetables...

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Animas Valley School in Durango Raises New Greenhouse

Congratulations to the community of Animas Valley Elementary School in Durango, Colorado. With lots of hard work, especially in the category of fundraising, and lots of perseverance, this great project has come together. Visit the school website to learn more! https://animasvalley.durangoschools.org/

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School Garden Program Inside and Out

We’ve been keeping you in touch with the happenings at Galileo School of Math and Science in Colorado Springs, CO from the very start of their school garden program. You’ve seen many snapshots along the way including some great segments from the local Fox news station. All of those pieces were great fun to share...

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National Food Day Celebration Growing Dome Style

Here’s a report on the National Food Day Celebration that took place in two different Growing Domes in Colorado Springs, CO from the Bent County Democrat: “A magnet school in Colorado Springs and a demonstration garden in Woodland Park were among 20,000 venues in all 50 states hosting events held in conjunction with Food Day...

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Galileo Greenhouse to School Lunch

"Last month, we showcased the construction of a 42' Growing Dome at Galileo School of Math & Science. Now, we're thrilled to reveal the completed greenhouse, transforming school lunches with home-grown produce! This project, a collaboration between the school, local organizations, and the community, is not just a source of healthy food for students but also a beacon of inspiration for the district. Students are actively involved, reaping the benefits of their hard work in their daily meals and even sharing with other schools. Dive into our latest update to see how this greenhouse is sowing seeds of change in school nutrition and community engagement.

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Aquaponics, Hydroponics and More at Reed City High School

Reed City High School in Michigan is taking full advantage of their 51′ Growing Dome and all of the learning opportunities available inside. They are experimenting with aquaponics, hydroponics, and barrelponics. They’re even making their own worm tea. The students help raise plants and food for sale and collect scientific data along the way. What...

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Agriculture Education Sees Growth

We always love when the school year starts as we get updates on how the school Growing Domes are doing. This year is no exception. Roaring Fork High School and Yampah Mountain High School located high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado were both featured in the Sunday news in the article Agriculture Education Sees...

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A Worthy Journey: Putting youth gardening into perspective

As we celebrate the interest from children and young adults in growing organic food, we want to point to major influences over the last few years. I thank the efforts of Jamie Oliver, Will Allan, and Michelle Obama and many Moms and Dads who are convinced that learning “where food comes from” is the beginning...

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Flagstaff Academy on the Front Page

You’ve been with us following Flagstaff Academy of Longmont, CO through 3 years of planning and fundraising, an exciting Growing Dome® build earlier this summer, and their recent Open House. We are excited to share an article about this unique program that appeared on the front page of the local newspaper. Everyone at Flagstaff Academy...

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Nurturing community while moving towards sustainability

Across continents, Growing Dome projects are more than just structures; they're catalysts for community bonding and sustainability. Witness our journey from Costa Rica, where a dome became a beacon of hope for special needs children, to Colorado's Flagstaff Academy, where it transformed into a living laboratory. These builds, akin to barn raisings, fuse construction with cultural exchange, creating profound emotional experiences and a shared vision for a sustainable future. Join us in exploring these inspiring stories of community, collaboration, and hope.

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Colorado schools invest in their children’s future

Wonderful article from Ed News Colorado on Colorado schools investing in what their children eat as well as teaching gardening and healthy eating habits early. The Growing Domes allow the children to garden during the school year which makes it part of their education and an experience that will stay with them for life. With...

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Dillon Valley Elementary School Greenhouse

Partners Summit Prevention Alliance, Summit School District, the Dillon Valley community steering committee and Neils Lunceford have been working together to get a healthy eating initiative in Dillon Valley to increase community access to local fruits and vegetables. Their dreams came true this past weekend when they began construction of their new 22′ Growing Dome...

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Fat City Farmers Noble Community Mission

Fat City Farmers, a Western Colorado non-profit, has been revolutionizing local food economies since 2009. With a focus on growing farmers and nurturing community spirit, they employ permaculture principles to educate on organic gardening and market farming. Their projects not only enrich community health but also sustain and grow the local food economy. Dive into their story to discover how they're sowing seeds of change and cultivating a healthier, more connected world. Visit their website and Facebook page to see their latest groundbreaking projects.

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Reed City School in Michigan in the News

Reed City schools in Michigan Growing Spaces Growing Dome Greenhouse made the news! Way to go Reed City High School for doing such a great job with integrating the dome in your school curriculum and nutrition! Check out this inspiring video clip!

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51′ Growing Dome Coming Soon to Reed City, MI

Reed City High School, Michigan 51′ Growing Dome A 51′ diameter Growing Dome greenhouse will soon be installed on the Reed City High School campus in Michigan! As we look to the new school year, there will be some exciting changes that will be in place. We will very shortly begin the construction of a...

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RFHS Students Get Going

With the help of many – 42′ Growing Dome is complete! As far back as I can remember, my grandmother always said, “If you want something done right – do it yourself…” As of today, I thoroughly disagree. The brand new 42′ Growing Dome greenhouse installed at Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale, Colorado has brought...

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Community Rallies Around Jay Middle School in Maine

By Bobbie Hanstein • Jun 13th, 2010 On Saturday, about 100 or so volunteers helped assemble a geodesic Growing Dome Greenhouse at Jay Middle School in Maine. The design and grant funding for the geodesic dome greenhouse at Jay Middle School is thanks to two 14-year-old students. The actual construction of the 22-foot-radius wood and...

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Jay Middle School in Maine Receives Grants for School Greenhouse

Science, technology, engineering and math took center stage Saturday as Jay Middle School students and about 100 volunteers erected a 22-foot-diameter geodesic dome to grow produce year-round for the school cafeteria and an area food pantry. “It’s more than just a springtime greenhouse,” Jay Middle School teacher Rob Taylor said of the Growing Spaces LLC...

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Flagstaff Academy: Finalist for $5,000 Pepsi Grant!!!

Flagstaff Academy will soon have a Growing Dome! Parent and volunteer, Leha Moskoff, submitted an application to win $5,000 from Pepsi, Refresh Everything. Finalists one through ten win funding. Flagstaff has placed at number ten, and is currently being confirmed eligible to receive funding towards their Growing Dome project!!! This school has been raising funds...

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