When most people think of a tropical getaway, they imagine it on a beach in the Bahamas or a bungalow in the Caribbean. You would never imagine such a lush tropical place to exist in a greenhouse in New York unless you are the students of Homestead School, that is.
Homestead School is “a private Montessori school focused on humanitarian and sustainable education” located in Glen Spey, NY. The school was founded in 1978 on a 200-year old, 85-acre homestead by Peter & Marsha Comstock. Although the school was always dedicated to farming, they developed a formal permaculture program in 2017, beginning with planting fruit and nut trees, keeping honey bees, and developing a biodome plan.
In 2018 that plan came to life and Jack Comstock, assistant head of school/co-lead teacher, put their plans for a 42′ tropical greenhouse into motion. Jack said, “A biodome greenhouse solved the problem of students missing out on most of the growing cycle.” With a Growing Dome greenhouse, students can grow year-round, even in New York.
On the topic of why they decided on a tropical climate, he said, “he has always been drawn to the tropics.” What better way to bring the tropics to New York than creating a controlled environment to grow tropical plants?
Tropical Greenhouse Design & Construction
When we asked Jack how the project went, he said, “it happened so fast with the help of students, staff, and parents it came together quite smoothly,” almost as it if it was meant to be.
