Interested in experimenting with the University of Minnesota on passive solar greenhouse technology on your farm, community organization, or business in Greater Minnesota? Do you want to learn how to grow crops all year without relying on fossil fuels? Are you interested in helping others learn about sustainable agricultural production technology for year-round production?
If so, then the University of Minnesota Extension’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships want to help you build a deep winter greenhouse. These greenhouses are a passive solar, low-cost, low-carbon winter food production system. The structure is built with a south-facing, angled glazing wall that captures heat from the sun. Heat is stored in an underground rock bed and dissipates into the above-ground planting area at night.
Greenhouses will be built according to UMN Center for Sustainable Building Research prototype designs. Awardees will work with University of Minnesota researchers for the first three years to study production and building performance and to host periodic Extension events.
If this all sounds interesting to you, then please click here download the request for applications and see more resources for the program. Applications are due May 3 at 4:00pm
If you have additional questions, please direct them to Greg:
Greg Schweser, Associate Director Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems
University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships
schwe233@umn.edu
612-625-9706
Good luck!
