Growing Dome Project Supports Year-Round Gardening and Vocational Training
February 25, 2015
Lush beds of salad greens are a welcome sight on a cold February afternoon at the Central Iowa
Shelter and Services (CISS) Growing Dome. The Growing Dome project provides vocational training
to people living at risk of homelessness and helps Central Iowa Shelter and Services get a head start
on its summer gardens.
The physical structure is a 33-foot-diameter dome which came
in a box and took about a day to set up. The dome design allows
it to maintain favorable temperatures without heaters or access
to electricity and a large water tank absorbs heat in the daytime
and releases it at night. Plans are being developed for raising
Koi fish in the water tank and selling them to local pet stores.
Employees in the vocational training program practice soft job
skills such as punctuality, emotional intelligence, and following
direction; develop gardening and culinary food preparation skills;
and build their employment histories. As the Growing Dome
project matures, trainees will expand food production in the indoor and outdoor gardens, process the
harvest in the CISS certified kitchen, and begin marketing produce through a street-side food cart.
CISS purchased their Growing Dome from Growing Spaces. Start-up cost is a barrier, with the 33 foot
dome kit costing $30,000. CISS partnered with DuPont Pioneer to cover the cost of the dome
infrastructure.
Based on their experience so far, CISS staff recommends:
Start slow. CISS is focusing on streamlining production in the Growing Dome before expanding
to culinary and marketing activities.
Partnerships are essential. This project was only possible because of the support of DuPont
Pioneer and United Way of Central Iowa.
Share the story. The Growing Dome project is an exciting initiative, but outreach to media and
community groups is essential to spread excitement and encourage support from the
community.
For more information about the CISS Growing Dome project, please contact Mr. AJ Olson at
[email protected] or Ms. Jorie Landers at [email protected] or 515-564-
5752
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