Spring Valley Greenhouse and Permaculture Garden

Ancient Beginnings

The Ute people, the oldest residents of Colorado, were the first to gain subsistence from the land around Spring Valley. Then there was a period of cattle ranching. In 2018, CMC sustainability studies students – building on earlier gardening efforts – proposed and gained approval for a greenhouse and garden on the main campus, so they could get their hands dirty. We attempt to steward the land with love and gratitude.

Initial Construction

In 2021, the Spring Valley facilities team purchased and built the high tunnel and fence, which constitute the center of our operations. They installed an electric heater and, a year later, a water spigot and electrical outlets inside the high tunnel. The indoor and outdoor planters were constructed by CMC students and staff through a partnership.

Totally Free Farm Stand

In 2022, we achieved proof of concept for our mission. We harvested a rich bounty of vegetables, medicinal plants, and decorative flowers and gave it all away to the CMC community, via the totally free farm stand. For about a week, Sodexo even served our cucumbers in the dining hall, temporarily overcoming a long-term regulatory barrier. We hope to keep working with them in the future.

Outdoor Expansion

In 2023, we expanded our productive space by adding an outdoor permaculture food forest. The entire facility follows the principles of permaculture which include catch and store energy, obtain a yield, accept feedback, produce no waste, integrate rather than segregate, and use small and slow solutions. The jungle is consistently used as an instructional space for multiple CMC classes and extracurriculars.

What Comes Next?

Since its inception, the Spring Valley greenhouse and garden (aka the Jungle) has reached a state of productive maturity. We have sustainable funding, labor, moral support, and a modest annual yield of vegetables, medicinal plants, and decorative flowers. We are currently experimenting with mushrooms, cactus, and local species (for ecological restoration). In the longer-term future, a year-round growing dome with geothermal heating is desirable, as this would allow use of the space in the winter months.