For the Greener Good

All along the Roaring Fork Valley you will find nurseries, farms, and greenhouses, but you won’t find one quite like the Greenhouse at Mountain Valley Developmental Services. Nestled in Glenwood Springs, MVDS is growing more than just flowers and vegetables. MVDS supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing employment opportunities and a place for them to continue to grow their skills. 

The greenhouse allows MVDS the opportunity to provide job training for their clients in a supported environment and through this program each employee is able to flourish both professionally and personally. 

The greenhouse is an ever changing project dedicated to selling plants and flowers to both retail and business customers. Operating throughout the week and some Saturdays, the greenhouse allows the employees the chance to be the expert and provide a different view of people with disabilities, especially to our younger generations. 

Going Green Through Community and Renewables

MVDS has and always will be community driven. They rely on the support of our valley and beyond to continue to do incredible work and they also give back to the community when they can. One way in which they partner with our community is through their Going Green program with Sopris Elementary school. The goal of this program is for students to work with the greenhouse employees to grow food for their school cafeteria. Every class, in grades k-5, garden two or three times a week and are also able to incorporate their knowledge and skills into their science classes. 

Not only is MVDS partnering with Sopris Elementary to help the students grow their own food, it also doubles as a way for them to become a renewable greenhouse. Relying on solar heating, worm garden beds to develop soil and natural fertilizer, and compostable pots instead of plastic containers and zero pesticides, the greenhouse is in fact, “green”. 

Ways You Can Support

There are many ways that you can help to support the greenhouse and many other programs that MVDS offers to the community. One of the best ways is to utilize the greenhouse and its offerings, get your weekly produce or treat yourself to some new flowers! You can also donate to MVDS, which will help to continue providing services to these individuals and keep these programs running. You can even head down to Art on 8th in Glenwood Springs and purchase some handmade art. Continue to spread the word to friends, family and community members about MVDS and all of the great things they are doing for our valley.