Progress report for WPDP25-006
Project Information
Agriculture in tropical regions like Hawaii and Guam faces significant challenges, including extreme wind and rain events, heat, humidity, and high dependence on imported food. Traditional solutions such as high tunnels often exacerbate these conditions resulting in crop and oftentimes structural failures. Geodesic domes offer a durable alternative, providing enhanced resilience, better airflow, and protection against extreme weather, making them well-suited for tropical climates. However, the complexity, availability, and expense dome kits limit widespread adoption.
This project, led by Jeff Edwards, University of Wyoming, addresses all these issues through a “train-the-trainer” model designed to increase local capacity for geodesic dome construction and sustainable agriculture. The program offers participants hands-on training in dome construction, raised-bed installation, irrigation, and integrated pest management. Participants will be equipped with the skills to lead dome-building workshops in their communities, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and creating a ripple effect of knowledge transfer.
Interest in geodesic domes grew after a January 2024 American Pacific Island Team meeting, where Edwards presented on pest management in enclosed spaces. Participants from Hawaii and Guam saw the potential for domes to support local agriculture. This interest led to further collaboration, with educators and local non-profits (Guam Farm-to-Table), engaging in the project. Edwards has been conducting dome schools as season extenders in Wyoming since 2008. His goal is to work with locals to modify domes for year-round production in tropical environments.
The goal of this grant is to increase food security and improve agricultural sustainability by training local trainers/educators who can independently lead dome-building schools. These domes will provide increased opportunities for production and serve as educational hubs for sustainable agriculture practices, ultimately enhancing community resilience to climate challenges. The project will establish a replicable model that can be applied across the Pacific Islands and other regions facing similar agricultural challenges.
Updates:
Due to the catastrophic August 2023 fire on Maui, priority for building materials has been focused on rebuilding homes. As a result the decision was made not to construct a dome during the scope of this project. Farm to Table Guam regretfully withdrew from from the project due to organization concerns. Due to these unexpected challenges (see additional details in updates below), discussion during ongoing meetings with educators and growers have concentrated the focus of the project to the Big Island of Hawaii. Meeting the goal of creating a replicable model will allow for future involvement with other Hawaiian and Pacific Islands along with other regions facing similar agricultural challenges.
NOTE: Due to the catastrophic August 2023 fire on Maui, priority for building materials has been focused on rebuilding homes. As a result the decision was made not to construct a dome during the scope of this project. Farm to Table Guam regretfully withdrew from from the project due to organization concerns. See the Education, Education and Outreach, and Project Outcomes for additional information
SEE IT
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- Objective: By July 2025, increase the knowledge of up to 6 cooperators/trainees in the SARE Western Region on the practical applications and benefits of geodesic domes.
- Updates:
- Because of the uncertainty surrounding the availability of federal funds the tour was rescheduled for August 5 - 6, 2025. See attached tour itinerary. Dometour
- Updates:
- Specific: Participants will attend a tour/workshop in Southeastern Wyoming to observe operational domes.
- Updates:
- Two grower/educators attend the tour of greenhouses with a diversity of operators, size, and structure. see attached agenda.
- Unfortunately, the change of dates meant that educators were unable to attend because school was already back in session.
- University of Wyoming created a video to simulate the tour experience and provide other participants the opportunity to experience the benefits of the tour https://youtu.be/xpjZjtPVE94
- SARE and University of Wyoming acknowledgements still need to be added along with some minor edits
- The video was shared with eight cooperators s who expressed interested in participating in the project
- University of Wyoming created a video to simulate the tour experience and provide other participants the opportunity to experience the benefits of the tour https://youtu.be/xpjZjtPVE94
- Updates:
- Measurable: Knowledge will be assessed through participant feedback and the identification of at least one opportunity to conduct a dome-building school.
- Updates:
- Debriefing meetings with the participants that Through ongoing zoom meetings and personal conversations six participating cooperators were identified.
- During ongoing zoom planning meetings participants identified several changes and adaptations that they felt would be necessary to meet the needs of the tropical climate.
- Dates were identified for a dome school at the ALPSS program in December, the Bolton compost facility in January and two in the Volcano area in February
- Debriefing meetings with the participants that Through ongoing zoom meetings and personal conversations six participating cooperators were identified.
- Updates:
- Achievable: The tour/workshop will cover all participant costs, and trainees will be expected to list six potential participants for future training sessions.
- Updates:
- All participant costs were covered to attend the tour, including: airfare, lodging, and per diem.
- Cooperators identified five additional schools and four growers who have been contacted and have expressed significant interest for future training sessions. Representatives from one of these schools and one grower even attended parts of the current dome schools.
- Updates:
- Relevant: The objective aligns with the goal of expanding sustainable agricultural practices through geodesic dome construction.
- Time-bound: Completed by July 2025.
- UPDATES:
- As noted earlier, due to the uncertainty of the availability of federal funds, the tour was rescheduled and conduced in August of 2025.
- UPDATES:
- Objective: By July 2025, increase the knowledge of up to 6 cooperators/trainees in the SARE Western Region on the practical applications and benefits of geodesic domes.
LEARN IT
- Objective: By December 2025, enhance the technical skills of 3 cooperators/trainees/trainers to replicate geodesic dome construction in the Pacific Islands.
- Specific: Three hands-on dome-building schools will be held across the Hawaiian and Pacific Island territories.
- UPDATES:
- One Dome School to for students, educators and growers was conducted at Western Hawaii Alternative Learning Support and Services (ALPSS) , located on the property of the Kealakehe Intermediate SchoolThis video was created by one of the ALPSS staff to document the students participation at this LEARN IT dome school, and the TEACH IT dome school at the Bolton Compost facility. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSylBRH8hGA
- Two dome schools were held at the Bolton Inc, LLC
- UPDATES:
- Measurable: Success will be measured by each trainee’s ability to construct a dome and identify a location to lead a Trainer dome school.
- UPDATES:
- Participants from dome schools assisted in the creation of "dome kits" and facilitated construction of domes that will be used by Bolton Inc. LLC (grower) , and students from HTA.
- All participants have identified a location for a trainer led dome school, see Timeline for additional details.
- UPDATES:
- Achievable: The project will provide funding for supplies and travel for all three trainees’ workshops.
- UPDATES:
- All cost associated with the LEARN IT dome schools was covered with project funds.
- Participating educators and administrators expressed gratitude for the availability of funds to cover the cost of the construction. One teacher commented, "I don't think we could have done this without the funds available to cover costs."
- UPDATES:
- Relevant: Trainees will be equipped to transfer the skills they gain to their communities.
- UPDATES:
- Ben Duke from the ALPSS school is already in discussions to construct a dome at the XXXX
- Peggy Doolittle has recruited several growers in her area to participate in the dome school to build her dome so that they can learn the skills along with her to build future domes.
- Peggy has attended two of the Learn It dome schools and two of the Teach It dome schools.
- She also brought a neighbor growers to one of the Learn It dome schools.
- Those growers plan to attend the TEACH IT dome school held at Peggy's farm on February 1 and is trying to determine how she can find the resources to build a dome on her small farm
- UPDATES:
- Time-bound: Completed by December 2025.
- UDATES:
- As mentioned previously because of funding delays, changes in cooperators, and availability of materials only one Learn It dome school could be completed by December 2025.
- However, thanks to weekly zoom calls that began in May 2025, and support from original and new cooperators and assistance from Bolton, Inc, LLC to procure materials, this aspect of the goal was only delayed by one month and completed in January of 2025.
- UDATES:
- Specific: Three hands-on dome-building schools will be held across the Hawaiian and Pacific Island territories.
TEACH IT
- Objective: By March 2026, each of the three trainees now trainers, with support from Jeff Edwards, will independently host a dome-building school in their communities.
- Specific: Trainers will lead dome schools for their communities, with guidance from Jeff Edwards.
- UPDATES:
- Trainers were appreciative of the support and guidance provided by Edwards.
- Support from Edwards, and the Dome Manual he developed and provided to Trainers, gave trainers the confidence in their ability to teach the skills they had learned.
- UPDATES:
- Measurable: Trainers will report on conducting their own dome school and engage in outreach activities to promote future sessions.
- UPDATES:
- Formal evaluations will be completed by trainers, however, debriefing with trainers, during and after LEARN IT and TEACH IT dome schools, has been positive
- Educators, parents, growers, and community members that participated in the Teach It dome schools were so impressed with the experience several were talking about future projects.
- Once the final two TEACH IT dome schools are completed in February 2026 zoom meetings will focus on out reach and promotion.
- UPDATES:
- Achievable: The grant will cover the costs of supplies and travel for all three trainer workshops.
- UPDATES:
- All cost associated with the LEARN IT dome schools was covered with project funds.
- Trainers and participants were grateful that all cost were covered, and therefore, there was not a cost to attend the dome school.
- UPDATES:
- Relevant: This step ensures that the knowledge gained in earlier phases is transferred to broader audience.
- UPDATES:
- Participation by interested growers, student parents, and community members has already accomplished knowledge transfer to a broader audience.
- Several cooperators have already identified one or more partners to build domes in the future
- Trainers who are affiliated with schools will continue to use the dome to teach students which will also transfer knowledge to broader audiences for years to come.
- UPDATES:
- Time-bound: Completed by March 2026.
- UPDATE:
- We are on track to meet this goal, unless Pele (the Volcano) decides to spew his ashes/hair next week! B
- UPDATE:
- Specific: Trainers will lead dome schools for their communities, with guidance from Jeff Edwards.
Tropical regions like Hawaii and the Pacific Island territories face critical challenges in sustainable agriculture. With up to 90% of food imported, these areas are heavily reliant on external sources for food security (Encyclopedia.com, 2024). Additionally, high humidity, intense rainfall, and extreme weather events make it difficult for traditional farming methods to maintain productivity while also achieving environmental and economic sustainability. Geodesic domes, which offer robust structural integrity and controlled microclimates, provide a promising solution to these challenges (Bober, 2020; Ledbetter, 2019). Domes can extend growing seasons and protect crops from adverse weather and insect pests, making them highly suitable for tropical environments (Zhao, n.d.).
In January 2024, Wyoming Extension Specialist Jeff Edwards presented the concept of geodesic domes at an American Pacific Island Work Group meeting. The idea sparked strong interest from participants in Hawaii and Guam, who recognized the potential for domes to improve local agricultural resilience. This interest led to site visits in Hawaii and collaborations with local organizations such as Guam Farm to Table, a non-profit focused on educating local growers. Building on this momentum, the proposed project will utilize a "train-the-trainer" model to teach participants how to construct and maintain geodesic domes, ultimately enhancing local food security and agricultural sustainability.
Evidence from Related SARE Projects:
Previous SARE-funded projects provide critical validation for the use of enclosed farming systems to increase yields and extend growing seasons. One example, SARE Project FW16-034 in Alaska suggests that geodesic domes can withstand extreme weather while providing optimal growing environments for crops. This proposed project adapts the lessons learned from temperate to tropical climates, and provides the opportunity to construct domes, collect data on crop yields, pest pressures, and the economic viability of dome-based farming systems in Hawaii, Guam, and other Pacific Island territories.
What sets this project apart is its focus on adapting geodesic dome technology to the unique challenges of tropical climates and using a hands-on, community-driven approach to education. The dome Edwards uses is not a one size fits all instead he works with local growers to adjust the covering system to maximize production without excessive heat retention. Jeff Edwards' "train-the-trainer" model enables participants to learn dome construction through direct, practical experience and then teach others in their communities, creating a self-sustaining cycle of knowledge transfer. This educational model strives to use locally sourced materials and eliminates the need for outside contractors, empowering local communities to take control of their agricultural systems.
Several factors will determine the success of this project. The ability of the domes to withstand high temperatures, humidity, and extreme weather as will participation of growers and other interested parties in dome schools. Community engagement, access to resources, and the demand for locally grown produce will increase the adoption of geodesic domes. Finally, cultural acceptance and high-quality education will be essential for ensuring long-term sustainability. Managing these factors effectively will allow the project to enhance food security and foster a resilient, sustainable agricultural system in Hawaii, Guam, and other Pacific Island territories.
See attached Gantt chart for more specifics current dates are approximate and subject to change. Timeline may seem aggressive, however it is typical to run up to 9 geodesic dome schools in Wyoming in a six month time frame. PDP Gantt
UPDATES:
See attached Timeline for changes made to keep the project on track and milestones met. The timeline was aggressive, complicated by necessary changes in Cooperators, challenges in procuring materials, and potentially environmental factors with the recent volcano eruption
Cooperators
- - Technical Advisor - Producer (Educator)
- - Producer
- - Producer
- (Educator)
Education
The SEE IT, LEARN IT, TEACH IT hands-on education model of this project has been extremely beneficial not only for the success of this module, but to ensure replicability in the future. The SEE IT aspect was critical for Cooperators to gain a perspective of the practical reality of the concept of dome production, and for the PI's to gain an understanding of adaptation needed to make it work in Tropical Climates. Peggy McKibben, the grower who attended the SEE IT dome tour commented, "Now that I see how this works and the potential to increase the amount of vegetables I produce, I am even more excited!" Jose Mendez, who got the project concept off the ground when he took Jeff Edwards to pitch the concept to his son's sch00l, provided significant suggestions necessary for success in the tropical weather conditions. After viewing the Dome tour video, educators participating in the weekly zoom planning meetings were able to offer additional suggestions for adaptations, and also requested a curriculum to replicate the success shown during the Dome Tour.
The hands-on aspect of the LEARN IT dome schools helped to provide Cooperators with the skills and the confidence to incorporate the concept of building a dome with their students. It also helped them gain a visual concept of constructing the domes and the potential educational opportunities with their students. These dome schools also provided the opportunity for trainers to engage other growers, students, and community members with the goal of peaking their interest enough so that they would attend the trainers TEACH IT dome school. This turned out to be a successful strategy for engaging participants for the TEACH IT dome schools.
Another significant accomplishment of the LEARN IT domes schools was the significant interest and excitement that generated discussion regarding potential dome building projects. For example, by the end of one LEARN IT dome school the administrator from the Hawaiian Technical Academy was trying to figure out how they could replicate the project on their campuses that are on each of the Hawaiian Island. The following week she brought her boss to the site to see what they had accomplished, and he too expressed an interest to have a dome the campuses located on each of the Hawaiian Islands.
The enthusiasm generated by participation in the LEARN IT dome school encouraged Trainers to not only bring their students to the TEACH IT dome school, but they also reached out and brought teachers in other subject areas, parents, and grandparents . The students enjoyed seeing how the small tasks of painting, cutting proper angles, and ensuring that they were doing things accurately transformed into the finished structure. Students were so proud they asked if they could use paint to be able to leave their handprint on the wood in the dome structure.
Due to the necessary changes in Cooperators led to an unexpected concept to add to future projects, Due to a lack of space on the school campus, the Hawaii Technical Academy, a local grower offered space at his nursery facility. We the need arose to find a replacement grower as a Cooperator, the grower was was quick to accept the offer of constructing a second dome on his nursery site. This "partnership" will broaden the project to include production of coffee, cacao. and tropical fruit tree starts. More importantly, it will provide the opportunity for interaction between students and the grower to exchange knowledge and highlight potential future employment opportunities for the students and potential future employee's for the grower.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
Increase the knowledge of up to 6 cooperators/trainees in the SARE Western Region on the practical applications and benefits of geodesic domes.
This objective initially faced unforeseeable challenges such as materials/supply challenges on Maui due to rebuilding after the catastrophic fire of August of 2023, and the withdraw of Farm to Table Guam due to internal reorganization of the organization. However, the project has exceeded all of the originally proposed objectives in all areas of SEE IT LEARN IT TEACH IT.