Are Walipinis Successful?
A Walipini Greenhouse is a sunken greenhouse that can grow food year-round using the earth's ambient temperature to keep plants alive in any climate. The roof of the structure is exposed to the sun and utilizes and captures the valuable energy from the sun.
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The first Walipini was created for La Paz, Bolivia, in 2002 by a group of volunteers from Brigham Young University. It was designed to lengthen the growing season and be built on a low budget. In the following years, its design improved, going from a dirt hole with a clear tarp roof to the structures we have today.
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They are better than conventional greenhouses because they promote sustainable practices by minimizing energy use for heating and cooling while maximizing plant production. Walipinis greenhouses enhance food security in arid and cold climates. In our Walipini, we can grow plants five times more efficiently.
Small Enough to Fit in a Backyard - Big Enough to Feed a Community
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The the Walipini system allows fresh foods to be grown in spaces as small as backyards with exponential increases in productivity. The benefits of this are that food production can be localized - effectively expanding the types and quantities of food that can be grown in specific spaces and regions. Because the system is compact - it can be located near schools, pantries, homes, and businesses. This reduces the transportation time and distance before the food can be consumed, increasing the amount of nutrients available for consumption.
