Community garden passive solar system

As a culmination of activity in the Service Learning Scholars Program, the Integrated Service Project described herein blended my academic coursework at the University of Utah with service dedicated toward meeting a community need. Working with Wasatch Community Gardens, a local non-profit organization, a passive solar system applied to the straw-bale greenhouse at the Tomato Garden plot was accomplished. Through independent research, designs, and proposals, the appropriate and cost-effective system constructed and implemented will address the expressed need for increased temperatures in the greenhouse and the creation of a usable space this primarily benefitting the Youth Gardening Program at Wasatch Community Gardens. The system utilizes donated drums filled with water as a solar heat sink, as well as mobile tables that will regulate the system and also provide a space for growing plants and work or program activities. In recently observing the system in use by the youth and Wasatch Community Garden staff, I feel the project's intended goals were successfully met. The materials used and the system itself appear to meet the effectiveness and sustainability measures intended.