Community Greenhouses
Community Growing Domes serve neighborhoods, faith communities, food-access organizations, and other groups committed to shared greenhouse production. The shared schedules, governance, and maintenance dynamics make community domes a different operational experience than private ones. This category brings together writing on community-scale Growing Domes: how successful programs are organized, the governance models that hold up over multiple seasons, how to handle the common challenges of shared resources, and case studies from neighborhood gardens, faith communities, and food-access programs that have built thriving community dome projects.
Assisted Living Greenhouse
June 29, 2016
Robert Hilger transformed a barren wasteland, a forgotten metal scrap yard, into a living, growing landscape for the betterment of seniors. Now he is transforming an outdated barren mindset of institutions which may not serve us to our highest potentials.
An Example of Sustainability and Stewardship in Action, Mission: Wolf
September 14, 2015
Growing Domes and Mission: Wolf A Living example of Sustainability and Stewardship “A wolf in a cage is good for one thing…to teach people NOT to put wolves in cages.” Mission: Wolf I applaud the work of our friends over the mountains in Westcliffe, Colorado. Mission: Wolf You won’t believe how they are raising the…
Community Greenhouse in Manchester, UK Makes Real Food
March 30, 2015
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…
Growing Spaces Grant Winner Eva’s Village Gets Growing
November 20, 2014
We are very excited to announce the completion of the 26′ Growing Dome for the 2014 Growing Spaces Third Place Grant Winner – Eva’s Village. The innovative homeless shelter greenhouse is located next door to Eva’s Village at Wayne Auto Spa owned by Rob Burke. The new indoor garden will produce food for the teaching…
Iowa Homeless Shelter Greenhouse, Second Chance Through Gardening
July 26, 2014
Central Iowa’s Homeless Shelter Greenhouse The idea of a homeless shelter greenhouse has been spreading recently and we are excited to be a part of this innovative movement. Central Iowa Shelter & Services Center (CISS) built a Growing Dome not only to feed the hungry, but also to teach those needing a second chance how…
2014 In-Kind Grant Winners Announced
May 20, 2014
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…
Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden Growing Dome Provides Midwinter Solace
March 8, 2014
An update from Eileen Weinsteiger the Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden Manager “Seven years ago when the Shumei/Rodale Team was designing the new Shumei Natural Agriculture Demonstration Garden to showcase a small homestead and Shumei Natural Agriculture principles it was imperative to include a unique greenhouse. We wanted a greenhouse that supported sustainability, efficiency, art, beauty, the…
First Place! Boys & Girls Club of the San Luis Valley
February 14, 2014
We are very excited to announce, albeit a bit early, the first place winners of our 2014 Growing Spaces In-Kind Grant Program! The Boys and Girls Club of the San Luis Valley, CO was moving ahead so quickly that we had an emergency session of the Grant Program Committee to make a decision and keep the club on schedule. As you see it's February in one of the coldest places in the state of Colorado and still they are starting on construction of the Growing Dome Greenhouse. We are more than impressed by their motivation, dedication, and drive when it comes to providing exceptional services for the youth of their community.
Congrats Pine River Library! The “Best Small Library in America 2014”
February 10, 2014
Best Small Library in America! We are excited to share the news that one of our local libraries and the second place winner of the 2014 Growing Spaces Grant Program, has been named the Best Small Library in America by the Library Journal. This is an amazing accomplishment AND we agree completely! The residents of…
AspenPointe 42′ Growing Dome Summer Harvest
November 14, 2013
An update from AspenPointe: “A 42 ft. Geodesic Growing Dome was added to the garden in April 2013 to allow the community garden to provide programming for our clients and community year-round and to help provide fresh, local produce for our AspenPointe Café throughout the winter months. The Growing Dome was planted with diverse crops…
Aspen T.R.E.E. Growing Dome Community Supported Agriculture Project
November 6, 2013
In October a dedicated crew from Growing Spaces and with the help of local volunteers installed at 42′ Growing Dome Greenhouse at 8,000 feet at Aspen T.R.E.E. Colorado in cold and snowy conditions. Through the donations of the Growing Spaces crew time and donations of labor and funds from numerous community organizations and individuals, Aspen…
Growing Dome at the Solar Living Institute
June 28, 2013
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…
2013 Growing Spaces In-Kind Grant Winners Announced
June 28, 2013
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…
Growing Year-Round in the Sierra Nevadas – June 2013 Dome of the Month
June 26, 2013
Truckee Community Farm is a winner. Congratulations to Truckee Community Farm and the Kelly family for winning the June 2013 Dome of the Month! With this 33 ft. Growing Dome Greenhouse in Lake Tahoe, California they are supplying the Tahoe Food Hub with food year-round and providing inspiration for similar educational programs in their community….
Finished! 33′ Growing Dome at the Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden
May 8, 2013
4-25-13 Thursday: I love round tanks, especially when it comes to leveling. Today we were busy finishing the tank. Don’t you love Janet’s pleats in the tank liner? And, yes, for a charge she will come redo your tank! Other tasks included finishing the fans, final odds and ends at the door, and leftover parts! 4-27-13: Thursday…
Part 4: 33′ Growing Dome at the Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden
April 22, 2013
We thought we might be nearing a close with the construction of the 33′ Growing Dome at the Shumei Garden at the Rodale Institute, but this story sure has had it’s twists and turns! It turns out that Richard is headed back east to work on some finishing touches and to help with consulting on…
Part 3: 33′ Growing Dome Installation at the Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden
April 19, 2013
As the 33′ Growing Dome at the Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden at the Rodale Institute continues to take shape we see how many wonderful volunteers are pitching in to make this project happen. Richard Miller, Growing Spaces installation supervisor, has been kind enough to send us updates as they go. 4-9-13 Tuesday: I checked hubs…
Part 2: 33′ Growing Dome Installation at the Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden
April 9, 2013
The 33′ Growing Dome at the Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden at the Rodale Institute is going up nicely. Richard Miller has been kind enough to send us updates as they go, so you can feel like you’re right there with them! 4-2-13 Puxatawney Phil is part of a stew right about now. No, not because…
33′ Growing Dome Installation at Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden
April 3, 2013
“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…
Success with Community Garden Grants
March 13, 2013
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…
Shumei International Institute Members Visit Growing Spaces
December 5, 2012
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.,…
Naropa University Greenhouse Conducts Valuable Research
December 5, 2012
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…
Truckee Community Farm Wins Your 2 Cents Grant
August 15, 2012
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…
Restoring Keweenaw Bay, Michigan
August 7, 2012
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…