community greenhouse projects


Growing Domes Thrive as Therapy Greenhouses

As the owner of Growing Spaces, I have the privilege of collaborating with various organizations, including schools, non-profits, and community groups, to promote sustainable and innovative growing and healing practices. Through our in-kind grants and partnerships, we aim to empower individuals and organizations to cultivate their own food, regardless of their climate, location or resources.  ...

Continue reading »

2022 Year in Review

2022 is quickly coming to an end and we wanted to take some time to reflect on how we have grown. This year was filled with twists and turns that both grounded us and propelled us into action. Giving back to our community and getting involved is something that we felt was desperately needed after the two years of isolation we all endured.

Continue reading »

Taspen’s Cosmic Kitchen: Farm-to-Table Dining in Conifer, CO

Restaurant Greenhouse The Restaurant’s story. Taspen’s Cosmic Kitchen “is a place for everyone no matter what you eat.” They are a family-owned restaurant located in the Aspen Park Village Shopping Center at 25797 Conifer Rd B112, Conifer, CO 80433. All of their food & drinks are over 95% organic and 100% delicious. The idea to...

Continue reading »

Growing Dome Community Celebration

Customer Appreciation Party 2019 This year has been one for changes at Growing Spaces, with a new logo, and a new website just around the corner we wanted to take the time to thank our community of growing dome greenhouse owners for their constant support. Plus give some of our potential owners a peek into...

Continue reading »

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.

Continue reading »

Growing Dome at the Solar Living Institute

Solar Living Institute Update: Unfortunately due to COVID the Solar Living Institute closed it’s doors in October 2020. They are still offering on-line classes. Recently we received an update from the Solar Living Institute in Hopland, CA of the 26′ Growing Dome greenhouse built in 2012. “The Growing Dome is one of the main attractions...

Continue reading »

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...

Continue reading »

It’s Earth Day

It’s Earth Day, and this is being celebrated in many places around the globe (see Earthday.org ). In our own small town, the people of vision were out on a cold day in their booths giving away small trees to celebrate Earth Day. There were many examples of innovation and many contributions to the awareness...

Continue reading »

33′ Growing Dome Installation at Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden

“Off Again To High Adventure”with Richard Miller, Growing Spaces Staff Question: What do Growing Spaces, Rodale Institute, and Shumei Natural Agriculture have in common? Answer: A 33′ Growing Dome Yes, it’s true…Here we go again. Janet and I, the lowly vent maker, are “off again to high adventure”. Well, 15′-6″ high at least, to the...

Continue reading »

Success with Community Garden Grants

Examples of how some communities have used garden grants to build a community garden greenhouse Community gardens create a wonderful space where neighbors and families can spend time outdoors, get good exercise and good food, and, most importantly, connect with each other. They also provide access to gardening for people who might otherwise not have...

Continue reading »

Shumei International Institute Members Visit Growing Spaces

Last week, staff members of the Shumei International Institute in Crestone, Co. took advantage of the mild November weather and travelled to Pagosa Springs for a day of relaxing, sightseeing, and, of course, soaking in the “Healing Waters” of the hot springs. After a breakfast hosted by Growing Spaces at the “Famous” Pagosa Baking Co.,...

Continue reading »

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...

Continue reading »

Truckee Community Farm Wins Your 2 Cents Grant

Last week, we posted a testimonial video from Truckee Community Farms‘ co-owner Bill Kelly and manager Susie Sutphin talking about their project and how they’re using their Growing Dome. These two, along with the other co-owner Kevin Kelly, have been awarded the Your 2 Cents Program Grant. “The Rodale Institute’s $5,000 Your 2 Cents donation...

Continue reading »

Story Time With Truckee Community Farm

Bill Kelly and Susie Sutphin, two of the people who have started a project they call Truckee Community Farms, came to Growing Spaces and explained what their focus is and how they got started. We love to hear from people like these who take a good idea and put it into action, and we are...

Continue reading »

Restoring Keweenaw Bay, Michigan

In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a program to restore native ground cover is underway. It is called the Zaagkii Project, and one of the tools they have is a Growing Dome that they utilize for propagation of endangered and culturally significant plants. This 33′ Growing Dome built in Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC), is also used to give...

Continue reading »

$1000 for Making Food Awesome

Have an awesome idea involving food? Raising funds for a school or community garden and need more help? Follow this link to learn more: The Awesome Foundation Here’s what Awesome Food has to say: “Awesome Food, the Food Chapter of the Awesome Foundation for the Arts and Sciences wants to help you pull off your ideas for improving our...

Continue reading »

Nurturing Families in Our Community

We recently constructed a 26′ Show Growing Dome to join the four other Growing Domes at our facility in Pagosa Springs, CO. The 26′ diameter is our most popular size and we’ve been planning this build for that reason for a couple of years. Since we have plenty of gardening space for ourselves in the...

Continue reading »

The Harvest Center Makes News

The Harvest Center non-profit boosts a membership of 95 gardeners and donated 477 lbs. of produce to families in need last year. This high-elevation community garden has two outdoor gardens and a 22′ Growing Dome where they grow food year round. Under the leadership of Lee Willoughby this outstanding vision has become a dream… The...

Continue reading »

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...

Continue reading »

Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership Comes into View

Last year we shared with you the vision for Pagosa Springs’ Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership (GGP) and how this sustainable movement was poised to change our community in big and beautiful ways. We are excited to post an update with a rendering of the proposed project and an overview of the design. This is all really...

Continue reading »

Love this Local Business

We love to help our community eat locally and be a vibrant hub for business and innovation. We share our knowledge of organic gardening, green corporate practices, and healthy lifestyles with individuals, communities and educational institutions. We are a Made in America manufacturing company. We love where we live and give back all we can...

Continue reading »

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...

Continue reading »

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/

Continue reading »

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...

Continue reading »

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.

Continue reading »

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...

Continue reading »

Randall Geo-Conservatory Grand Opening

Flagstaff AcademyRandall Geo-ConservatoryGrand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. Join us Tuesday, September 13 at 6 p.m. as we celebrate the completion of a project three years in the making. The Randall Geo-Conservatory is a living classroom for Flagstaff Academy K-8 students. The indoor, year-round garden will provide students...

Continue reading »

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.

Continue reading »

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.

Continue reading »

Whole Foods: Seed Fund Grants

With a joint mission of giving kids fun and engaging ways to learn about nutrition and the importance of fruits and veggies, “Yes To” and Whole Foods will be giving away five $2,000 Seed Fund Grants in each participating Whole Foods region to local schools, plus five $500 ‘Starter Garden’ grants to schools nationwide! All...

Continue reading »

Michelle Obama and Growing Spaces – Working Toward a Common Goal

Today’s announcement that Michelle Obama is authoring a book on the importance of school, urban and community gardening is another example of the mind shift that is happening in the United States and across the globe. Her support of healthier, more self-sustaining lifestyles is directly in line with Growing Spaces vision. Growing Spaces was founded...

Continue reading »

How Growing Your Own Food Changes Your Life

Growing just one food-producing plant at home like tomato, bell pepper, strawberry, lettuce, snow peas, etc. can do more than just save money otherwise spent at the grocery store. Whether you are a family of five, a single-person household, or a community of many, you can make a difference in how you live – today!...

Continue reading »

Greenhouses a Growing Interest in Colorado Communities

Greenhouses a growing interest amongst Colorado Janet Urquhart The Aspen Times Aspen, Colorado Greenhouses like the new dome behind Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale, Colorado could become a more common sight in the Roaring Fork Valley. Pitkin County is contemplating code changes to better accommodate greenhouses. With community gardens cropping up around the Roaring...

Continue reading »

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...

Continue reading »