Funded by a Canada Healthy Communities Initiative grant, our Passive Solar Roller — Cochrane’s education greenhouse on wheels — is finally about to take shape! The design was dreamt up by a team of us at Cultivate Cochrane, but it’s the capable folks at OnGrowing Works who’ll be taking it from dream to reality.
OnGrowing Works is a locally-owned company that creates “Sustainable Living Spaces”, their work ranging from design to construction to landscaping. One of their core values is sustainability and it shows up in their projects through water conservation techniques, materials consideration, energy efficiency, integration of solar power, and more. In their words: “Wherever possible, our work supports the natural environment, creates engaging social spaces and enhances economic prosperity. We champion designs that create environmentally responsible structures and spaces from conception to completion, and that match and support local ecology.”
Cultivate Cochrane is so pleased to be working with OnGrowing Works for the construction of the Passive Solar Roller. With several meetings under our belts (and many more to come!), their commitment to communication, transparency, and the success of our project is clear. They have experience with greenhouses and even with passive solar design, but our lightweight, roadworthy, pencil-sketched, dormer-windowed greenhouse is a one-of-a-kind undertaking! With Covid circulating widely, supply chain challenges, and fluctuating material prices, it takes a special kind of flexibility and commitment to complete such a custom and unique build on a budget.
Matt from OnGrowing Works and Carrie from Cultivate Cochrane on the “blank slate” of our 18’ flatbed trailer!
Matt Ashton, project manager with OnGrowing Works, describes why they were keen to work with us on this mobile greenhouse: “The idea of sustainability, passive solar design, and food generation all resonate with our company goals and vision. We’re excited to play a role in this project by providing construction support and look forward to seeing the impact the Passive Solar Roller will have on our children, youth and family programs in the area.”
We look forward to it, too! Between the pandemic and major weather events, the past years have highlighted the importance of learning to take care of some of our food needs locally. We think this hands-on education tool is timely indeed. By spring, you should see it traveling around town providing hands-on programming about food growing, nutrition and resiliency to youth and the public at large.
Keep your eyes on this site and our social media for the latest progress!