I worked at Growing Spaces from 2015 to 2023 and returned in 2025. I’m here to guide you through purchasing a Growing Dome® greenhouse—from planning and site selection to choosing the right accessories for your climate. My goal is to help you create a thriving space for plants (and people!). I also manage the Growing Dome Advisor team and help with technical questions, installation documents, and day-to-day operations. I love empowering people to grow fresh, nutrient-dense food and watching a Growing Dome transform empty land into a personal sanctuary. I enjoy collaborating with our team to solve challenges and make it easy for anyone to buy a Growing Dome. I graduated from Western Colorado University in 2013 with a B.A. in Environmental Studies. In my free time, I enjoy hiking with my wife and our two big dogs, skiing, backpacking, and exploring the outdoors with my camera. My photography business, Kinetic Exposure, is rooted in a simple belief: people seek artwork that changes how they feel. Whether it’s a night sky bursting with stars, a quiet wildlife encounter, or a mountain peak glowing at dawn, I’m not just documenting moments—I’m transporting viewers into them.
Articles by Kyle Brookens
National Food Day Celebration Growing Dome Style
November 1, 2011
Here’s a report on the National Food Day Celebration that took place in two different Growing Domes in Colorado Springs, CO from the Bent County Democrat: “A magnet school in Colorado Springs and a demonstration garden in Woodland Park were among 20,000 venues in all 50 states hosting events held in conjunction with Food Day…
Galileo Greenhouse to School Lunch
October 26, 2011
"Last month, we showcased the construction of a 42' Growing Dome at Galileo School of Math & Science. Now, we're thrilled to reveal the completed greenhouse, transforming school lunches with home-grown produce! This project, a collaboration between the school, local organizations, and the community, is not just a source of healthy food for students but also a beacon of inspiration for the district. Students are actively involved, reaping the benefits of their hard work in their daily meals and even sharing with other schools. Dive into our latest update to see how this greenhouse is sowing seeds of change in school nutrition and community engagement.
Agriculture Education Sees Growth
October 17, 2011
We always love when the school year starts as we get updates on how the school Growing Domes are doing. This year is no exception. Roaring Fork High School and Yampah Mountain High School located high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado were both featured in the Sunday news in the article Agriculture Education Sees…
October’s Dome of the Month
October 7, 2011
This month we have a “shocking” Growing Dome photo to share with you from Mike in Oklahoma. We like to see this shot as a symbolic representation of how powerful the Growing Domes are! Too bad we don’t have a way to harness the energy of lightning in the Growing Domes. Guess it would be…
Solar Powered Business
October 3, 2011
Did you realize that Growing Spaces is a solar powered business? The solar panels installed outside our workshop provide enough to run our shop and offices while leaving power left to send back into the grid. Our staff also participates in energy saving activities that help us make the most of the sun power we…
4th Annual Colorado Entrepreneurship MarketPlace in Pagosa Springs, CO
September 29, 2011
We are excited to share this very valuable opportunity for our small community in southwest Colorado. Pagosa Springs will be hosting this two-day conference offering small businesses owners educational and networking opportunities. The conference is extremely affordable at $30 per day or $50 for both days and includes tours of two companies in Pagosa Springs,…
Farm-to-School Webinar: Sept 29th, 2011
September 21, 2011
We’ve been mentioning and following the Farm-to-School program run by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and are very excited about an upcoming webinar they are hosting next week. It is in celebration of the upcoming “National Farm to School Month“ in October. Here’s what’s in store for those attending the webinar: “USDA will…
STEM Intern Helps Us Grow
September 19, 2011
As you may have already guessed, we’re all about education of all ages here at Growing Spaces and are always searching for new ways to empower people with knowledge about how to live and grow sustainably. We had an awesome opportunity this summer to hire an intern to work in our shop through the local…
Randall Geo-Conservatory Grand Opening
September 9, 2011
Flagstaff AcademyRandall Geo-ConservatoryGrand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. Join us Tuesday, September 13 at 6 p.m. as we celebrate the completion of a project three years in the making. The Randall Geo-Conservatory is a living classroom for Flagstaff Academy K-8 students. The indoor, year-round garden will provide students…
What About Farm-to-School for the Little Ones?
September 2, 2011
I am not very good at baking….there I admit it. I love to cook but have a mental block on baking. It is challenging, to say the least, with all of my food allergies. (Wheat, gluten, eggs, dairy!) So I gave it up long ago but in the recent months the need has come back…
Nurturing community while moving towards sustainability
August 16, 2011
Across continents, Growing Dome projects are more than just structures; they're catalysts for community bonding and sustainability. Witness our journey from Costa Rica, where a dome became a beacon of hope for special needs children, to Colorado's Flagstaff Academy, where it transformed into a living laboratory. These builds, akin to barn raisings, fuse construction with cultural exchange, creating profound emotional experiences and a shared vision for a sustainable future. Join us in exploring these inspiring stories of community, collaboration, and hope.
Build Now for Fall Crops
August 11, 2011
Would you like to be in a warm, green oasis when it’s snowing outside? The optimum time for sowing cool weather crops in the Growing Dome is by the END OF SEPTEMBER. This will allow you plenty of time to get your greens, carrots, beets, radish, leeks, garlic, onions, and more established before the winter…
Dillon Valley Elementary School Greenhouse
August 1, 2011
Partners Summit Prevention Alliance, Summit School District, the Dillon Valley community steering committee and Neils Lunceford have been working together to get a healthy eating initiative in Dillon Valley to increase community access to local fruits and vegetables. Their dreams came true this past weekend when they began construction of their new 22′ Growing Dome…
Gardening How-To Video Series
July 26, 2011
If you haven’t been on our YouTube channel lately, we’d like the chance to share the episodes from this Summer’s Gardening Tips video series. Our favorite is the most recent Hand Flower Pollination video: Also check out these fun videos on cooling your greenhouse in the summer:
Cost versus Value: How to reconcile spending more for organic food
July 19, 2011
Whether you buy your red bell peppers conventionally grown from Chile or organically farmed down the road, you are likely noticing that food prices are rising faster than inflation. This just adds another layer to the already complicated question of, “What am I willing to pay for my food?” Every time I’m at the grocery store,…
Fat City Farmers Noble Community Mission
July 7, 2011
Fat City Farmers, a Western Colorado non-profit, has been revolutionizing local food economies since 2009. With a focus on growing farmers and nurturing community spirit, they employ permaculture principles to educate on organic gardening and market farming. Their projects not only enrich community health but also sustain and grow the local food economy. Dive into their story to discover how they're sowing seeds of change and cultivating a healthier, more connected world. Visit their website and Facebook page to see their latest groundbreaking projects.
Gardening & Beyond Video Series
July 5, 2011
To follow the theme of the Growing Domes®, we like to promote “going local”. You can’t get any more local than growing your food at home and we support local gardeners as part of this movement. In 2010 Udgar Parsons, Growing Spaces Owner & Founder, taught at a “Gardening & Beyond” educational program that was…
A Gateway to Sustainability
June 17, 2011
As the world turns towards sustainable solutions, the Eden Project in Cornwall, UK, stands out as a beacon of hope and innovation. This visionary project, transforming an exhausted quarry into the world's largest conservatory, exemplifies how communities can come together to create impactful, eco-friendly spaces. Its blend of education, tourism, and social enterprise inspires visitors globally, subtly promoting ecological awareness. In Pagosa Springs, we draw from this example, envisioning our own eco-destination with the Geothermal Greenhouse Project. Join us as we nurture this dream, planting seeds for a sustainable future and inviting you to share your green community stories.
Growing Organic Food in Urban USA
June 14, 2011
Living just 100 feet from the freeway, the Dervaes family lives a self-sufficient life in the middle of LA. They grow enough organic food on their 1/10 of an acre of available “farm” land on their 1/5 of an acre of property in Pasadena, to live year-round without going to the grocery store for food….
Spinach Loaf Recipe for the Kids
May 24, 2011
Spinach Loaf Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine: Pour into buttered casserole dish and bake 35-40 minutes until inserted knife comes out clean. White Sauce: Whisk together in a saucepan:
Jamie Oliver’s Passion, Our Gratitude
May 23, 2011
Rewinding to 2010, Growing Spaces embarked on an inspiring journey, aligning with Jamie Oliver's mission to transform global nutrition. Our collaboration reached a pinnacle during Oliver's American Road Trip, where we donated a Growing Dome to the Navajo Nation, fostering sustainable living and native plant wisdom. Oliver's dedication to educating on healthy eating resonates with our ethos. His efforts, from cost-effective meals for world leaders to tackling obesity in America, echo our commitment to 'choosing life' through sustainable practices. As Oliver's influence continues to spark change, we invite you to explore his vision for a healthier world and our shared dedication to a sustainable, nutrition-focused future.
Building a 33ft Growing Dome Greenhouse
May 1, 2011
Belfast Central School in New York finished their 33 ft Growing Dome and we wanted to share this slide show of the build. The dome looks great and was a great project for the students!
Keeping the Greenhouse Warm in the Far North
April 21, 2011
Growing Dome Greenhouses in Alaska and Canada stay 30 deg. F warmer in the winter than outside
Michelle Obama and Growing Spaces – Working Toward a Common Goal
March 17, 2011
Today’s announcement that Michelle Obama is authoring a book on the importance of school, urban and community gardening is another example of the mind shift that is happening in the United States and across the globe. Her support of healthier, more self-sustaining lifestyles is directly in line with Growing Spaces vision. Growing Spaces was founded…