A new 26-foot-tall geodesic dome greenhouse has emerged in Vallecito as a community initiative aimed at tackling food insecurity in the Pine River Valley. Constructed by Pine River Shares, a nonprofit organization focused on social change, the greenhouse will operate year-round and provide free produce to local residents, all maintained by volunteers.
The greenhouse construction began shortly before the onset of significant flooding that resulted in the evacuation of 390 homes in the area. Fortunately, the new structure reportedly remained undamaged during the adverse weather. Project volunteer Chuck Freeman expressed optimism about the greenhouse’s impact, stating, “It’s going to help a lot of people up here.”
This initiative has been in the works for over two years, reflecting the community’s commitment to addressing rising food insecurity in La Plata County, where approximately 20% of residents reportedly rely on just two meals a day. Many affected families reside in the Pine River Valley, where lower incomes and rising grocery prices hinder access to fresh food. As Freeman noted, local produce is often exported to wealthier areas like Telluride, further exacerbating the issue for local residents.
Pine River Shares received $390,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act through La Plata County to support its Field-to-Fork program. Volunteer Andrew Trujillo, a farmer and veteran, highlighted this funding as a catalyst for the project, saying, “That’s kind of when this all started.” The organization conducted community visits to assess local needs before settling on the geodesic dome concept two years ago.
The greenhouse is strategically located on land owned by Terry Shear, who generously offered his space for the initiative. He emphasized his desire to help others, stating, “I like people. I like teaching folks, and I had the space – so why not?” The path to completion involved extensive community discussions and navigating bureaucratic hurdles, according to Shear.
The construction process itself showcased impressive teamwork. Typically, building a geodesic dome takes a contractor and one employee about 32 hours. With the support of ten dedicated volunteers from Pine River Shares, the Vallecito project was completed in just 19 hours. Contractor Austin Willis praised the volunteers, remarking, “We’ve had a really amazing team of volunteers.”
While the greenhouse is now operational, the plans for its management and crop selection are still under discussion. Freeman pointed out that the community is eager to determine which crops will be grown, with tomatoes and cucumbers emerging as strong candidates for the year-round operation. Additional discussions include the possibility of raised planter beds to accommodate older volunteers and the creation of an outdoor garden for summer produce.
Freeman noted the evolving nature of the project, stating, “We have lots of flexibility.” As the community regroups following recent challenges, the new greenhouse stands as a beacon of hope, aiming to ensure that healthy food remains accessible for Vallecito residents. The collective effort to create this sustainable food resource illustrates the power of community activism and resilience in addressing pressing social issues.
