Economic Sustainability
A Growing Dome is a long-term investment, and the economic case for one extends well beyond the produce on the harvest table. This category brings together writing on the financial side of dome ownership: realistic produce yields, ROI considerations for households, market gardeners, and institutions, financing options, resale value, and the long-term economics of a productive greenhouse asset. Explore the numbers and the perspectives that help owners and prospective buyers understand the full economic picture of a Growing Dome.
Backyard Greenhouse Dome in Idaho
September 30, 2020
Paula & Keith Rigby’s 26’ backyard greenhouse in Kamiah, Idaho sits on their retirement property nestled in between the new home they are building and Keith’s workshop. Yes, they did in fact build the greenhouse first.
Dream Greenhouse in Colorado
September 1, 2020
The Elder's, Jerilyn, Jay, Maddog, and Samantha, got their 33' Growing Dome with the hopes of generating enough food for themselves and others in the community. In just a year, their Dome has become so much more than a year-round gardening space. The Dome has acted as a getaway location for the entire family during the pandemic. Jerilyn called the expanse "the perfect place to slow down and veg out." It is truly their dream greenhouse garden getaway.
Sustainable Greenhouse
July 30, 2020
Michael and Susan are both educators committed to making the world a better place whenever they can. In June of 2013, they purchased an 18' Growing Dome. Their dream was to create a sustainable greenhouse that balances natural and man-made environments while growing food year-round.
Off The Vine
April 1, 2020
Optimize micronutrients by eating fruits and vegetables immediately after harvest. There are so many benefits to eating vegetables fresh from the earth. Taste, nutritional value and saving trips to the grocery store. Food travels hundreds, if not thousands, of miles before it makes it to the grocery store shelves and loses critical nutrients along the way.
Cleaning Greenhouse Panels
April 1, 2020
Winter or early Spring is a great time to clean your panels as vegetation is generally reduced, allowing easy access to the polycarbonate surfaces. According to Claudia Stover, long-time Growing Spaces dome owner and greenhouse gardening teacher, not only does regular cleaning of the polycarbonate panels increase the sanitation of the greenhouse but “keeping the dome panels clear of pollen and plant debris also helps reduce disease and pest pressure on your plants.”
Greenhouse Farming in Golden, CO
March 1, 2020
Growing Spaces is pleased to announce a partnership with GoFarm, Community Supported Agriculture, in Golden, CO. Growing Spaces has donated the use of a 26' Growing Dome Greenhouse for GoFarm's Farmer Incubator Program. The construction of the greenhouse was finished in August 2019 by a wonderful group of local volunteers, and the dome is being farmed by GoFarm Incubator apprentice Shannon Harker. Shannon will gain valuable experience with greenhouse farming and the City of Golden will gain a new, hyper-local food source. The greenhouse uses sustainable and renewable energy technologies and helps extend the short Colorado growing season and provide fresh produce for the community year-round.
Help Grow A Dome for Food Insecure Communities
December 9, 2019
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….
Redefining Independence
July 4, 2019
Reflections on Local Resiliency and Global Sustainability Independence Day begs us to ask some of the most critical questions of the century in regards to local and global sustainability. Such questions demand that the rising leaders in sustainability choose a path that honors the freedoms the Constitution deems important. One of these freedoms speaks to…
Whole-Food Plant-Based Diet in a Growing Dome
November 16, 2018
Cara Barnes of Hollyhock Farms in Aspen Colorado talks about sustaining a whole food plant based diet out of her Growing Dome Greenhouse
Pine River Garden Club: Growing Gardeners
July 19, 2018
Growing Gardeners and a Local Foodshed with a Growing Dome® at the Pine River Community Garden Instead of garlic from China and avocados from Mexico, the Pine River Garden Club in Bayfield, Colorado, cultivates their own local foodshed, grows gardeners and teaches how to harvest what you thought wouldn’t grow here. Pine River Garden Club…
Accessing Our Inner Wisdom in Business
August 27, 2013
A few years ago I was privileged to be on a panel of CEOs at our annual SW Colorado Women’s Business Conference and asked “How do women do business differently than men?” Although the moment called a response from the three of us that invited us all to recognize that we all possess masculine and…
The Pagosa Verde Symposium: Growth Strategies for Rural Colorado Communities
July 24, 2012
On August 9th, 2012, our hometown of Pagosa Springs, CO is hosting a professional collaboration to explore economic growth, renewables, geothermal development and sustainable agriculture. The goal is to move Colorado mountain towns into a sustainable future. We are excited to lend our sponsorship and support to this great endeavor and are looking forward to…
Nurturing Families in Our Community
June 7, 2012
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…
Love this Local Business
March 22, 2012
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…
We are Made in America
December 15, 2011
We spend a lot of time talking about our greenhouse kits and what they can do. Next, we highlight our vision of a sustainable world, and lastly, we sometimes happen to mention who we are. The increasing attention paid to goods made in America has caused us to think back to who we are as…
A Gateway to Sustainability
June 17, 2011
As the world turns towards sustainable solutions, the Eden Project in Cornwall, UK, stands out as a beacon of hope and innovation. This visionary project, transforming an exhausted quarry into the world's largest conservatory, exemplifies how communities can come together to create impactful, eco-friendly spaces. Its blend of education, tourism, and social enterprise inspires visitors globally, subtly promoting ecological awareness. In Pagosa Springs, we draw from this example, envisioning our own eco-destination with the Geothermal Greenhouse Project. Join us as we nurture this dream, planting seeds for a sustainable future and inviting you to share your green community stories.
Pagosa’s Geothermal Greenhouse Project Bringing Us Home
June 17, 2011
In a world grappling with economic challenges and environmental concerns, Pagosa's Geothermal Greenhouse Project stands as a testament to community resilience and sustainable living. Embracing the 'going local' movement, this initiative is not just about cultivating plants; it's about cultivating hope and kinship within the community. Drawing parallels with the Eden Project and the transformative vision of the Aspen Institute, this project symbolizes a shift towards a sustainable, eco-friendly future. Join us as we explore how this project is shaping Pagosa Springs into an eco-destination, celebrating human ingenuity and a sustainable way of life.
Creating a New Business Culture
April 4, 2011
I am writing after the Japanese Tsunami, the upset in Madison, the revolution in Egypt, and many other newsworthy events. It is a time of questioning and a time of “upset” I am sure, to most of us and we all have to integrate new fears, like the potential for Nuclear Fall-Out from the power…