By Laura Hamilton
The Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership (GGP) is thriving as we enter 2025, with exciting developments and community initiatives on the horizon.
In 2024, we welcomed five new members to our board of directors. Joining Pauline Benetti, Keith Bruno, Sally High, Chad Hodges, Andrew Mylroie, Cameron Parker, Jenelle Syverson and Robin Young are Chris Frederics, Christina Knoell, Sherry Murphy, Tarrie Parker and Laura Hamilton.
Our mission is to educate the community in sustainable agricultural practices. Producing food year- round using local renewable energy remains at the forefront of our efforts. The Education Dome, which has been closed for soil restoration and facility maintenance, just welcomed its first two classes of students in January. Behind the scenes, our team of volunteers has been hard at work improving soil structure, replenishing nutrients and enhancing microbial activity to ensure optimal growing conditions for our plants. The new students will be learning about all things growing and have already brought so much excitement to the newly revitalized space.
In our commitment to maintaining all our facilities, we will soon begin the soil restoration and repair process in the Community Dome. This temporary closure is a necessary step to ensure the continued success of our community gardening initiatives, and it is essential for maintaining the long-term health and productivity of our greenhouses.
The GGP board is holding a summit this month to realign our organization with our core mission and purpose. We’re excited to plan a series of engaging events for the coming year that will bring our community together and showcase the incredible potential of geothermal greenhouse gardening.
As we undertake these important maintenance and improvement projects, we’re reaching out to our supportive community for assistance. The costs associated with dome repairs and soil rejuvenation are significant, and your contributions can make a real difference. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us continue our work in sustainable agriculture education and community engagement.
The GGP is more committed than ever to serving our diverse community. We’re excited about the possibilities that 2025 holds and are grateful for the continued support and enthusiasm of Pagosa Springs’ residents.
We invite you to stay tuned for announcements about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved with the GGP.
Together, we can continue to grow food and community connection with local energy, making Pagosa Springs a model for sustainable living. Your support and involvement are crucial to our success. We look forward to seeing you at the green- houses soon and sharing in the bounty of our collective efforts.
Laura Hamilton serves on the Pagosa Springs GGP board of directors.