In 2017, they took their first step towards bringing farming back to their community by building a 42' Growing Dome Greenhouse. The Dome provides food for the cafeteria, attracts many new people, and acts as classroom space for the campus farm program. Since then, the Growing Dome has been referred to as the beacon on the hillside.
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...
The construction of their geodome greenhouse was a school-wide effort with students contributing from all grades. It took them three weeks to build the structure.
Velma Orcutt's Growing Dome Greenhouse in Maine has been thriving for four years
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...
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....
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.
For all of you who followed the 33’ Growing Dome build at Rodale Institute this Spring, you might remember our Ambassador, Richard Miller, who supervised the installation of the Growing Dome. Growing Spaces is happy to sponsor Richard Miller’s return to Rodale Institute to attend a Shumei Natural Agriculture Conference on July 26-27, 2013. The...
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...
We are so impressed and amazed to see how the school garden concept is infusing rural and urban communities across the country. The next generation honestly has so many opportunities to connect back with their food and the land. It’s also stunning how technology has quickened the pace of this movement far beyond what anyone...
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...
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...
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...
Celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver endorses the Growing Dome Greenhouse while visiting Navajo Nation in Arizona
“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...
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...
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...
This Growing Dome Greenhouse is growing food and educating the community on a mountain in Oregon
So many youth do not have access to education about WHERE their food comes from and we support and uphold the movement to change that however we can. This month we would like to honor Mini University in Ohio for their dedication to the mission of gifting pre-school age children with the experience of growing...
On September 1st, 2012 a team of six people from the Growing Spaces community, including owners Puja and Udgar Parsons, attended the Slow Money Regional Gathering in Carbondale, CO. After attending last year’s national gathering in San Fransisco, CA, Puja and Udgar were so excited to be a part of a gathering closer to home....
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...
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...
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...
We have a great recording to share with you from an interview at the local KWUF Radio’s Positive About Pagosa radio show with Udgar Parsons, Growing Spaces LLC owner and founder. Udgar shares his journey of discovering Pagosa Springs, Colorado as the home for his family and his business as well as how he came...
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...
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/
If you missed it last month, we have it to share with you now! Puja Dhyan Parsons, Owner & CEO of Growing Spaces® LLC was one of 24 people representing her company in the Entrepreneur Showcase at the Slow Money National Gathering on October 13, 2011 in San Fransisco, CA. A hallmark of the Slow...
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...
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...
"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.
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...
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...
We’ve been mentioning and following the Farm-to-School program run by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and are very excited about an upcoming webinar they are hosting next week. It is in celebration of the upcoming “National Farm to School Month“ in October. Here’s what’s in store for those attending the webinar: “USDA will...
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...
As you may have already guessed, we’re all about education of all ages here at Growing Spaces and are always searching for new ways to empower people with knowledge about how to live and grow sustainably. We had an awesome opportunity this summer to hire an intern to work in our shop through the local...
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...
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...
Congratulations to Isabelle La Souris of Quebec, Canada. Her stitched submission of the inside of her 26′ Growing Dome received the highest number of votes, and is altogether a lovely photo! For a complete slideshow of all the shapes and sizes of submissions for September visit our Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/GrowingSpacesGreenhouses?sk=app_106878476015645&app_data=page-4
I am not very good at baking….there I admit it. I love to cook but have a mental block on baking. It is challenging, to say the least, with all of my food allergies. (Wheat, gluten, eggs, dairy!) So I gave it up long ago but in the recent months the need has come back...
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.
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.
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!
Belfast Central School in New York finished their 33 ft Growing Dome and we wanted to share this slide show of the build. The dome looks great and was a great project for the students!
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...
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...
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...
