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Truckee Elementary and the Dome Raising Project Come Together

Kyle Brookens

January 23, 2013

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Awhile back we introduced you to Susie Sutphin and Bill Kelly of Truckee Community Farm in California. They had recently purchased and built a 33′ Growing Dome from Growing Spaces and were already looking to expand beyond their current garden. They had a vision for the Dome Raising Project as a part of their budding Tahoe Food Hub to get Growing Domes in local area schools so that youth could learn about growing their own food and the local food network could be strengthened. We’re excited to be able to report that they are making amazing strides in their mission as is reported in last week’s Sierra Sun: A ‘growing’ technology: Agricultural dome being considered for Truckee Elementary School

We are busy at work at our facility developing the new 28′ Sierra Kit designed to handle the extreme snow-loads in the Truckee/Tahoe area and, thus, be in accordance with local building codes. The snow loads required are over three times what our Classic Kit is rated for (60psf) and up until now we have found that the Classic Kit snow loads were more than enough to meet building codes across the country. They sure get a lot of wet, heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains! We are collaborating with the Dome Raising Project to be able to deliver this product once funding is in place for Truckee Elementary School.

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Kyle Brookens

Customer Experience Manager

Growing Spaces

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.

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