Expanding Food Sovereignty: Geothermal Greenhouses Show Long-Term Success

Pine Ridge Reservation —
Months after the initial launch of geothermal greenhouse projects on the reservation, the results continue to surpass expectations. The community-led approach to food production has not only increased access to fresh produce, but also sparked interest in expanding sustainable agriculture across more districts.

The greenhouses, designed to be half-buried and heated by the earth itself, have remained warm and functional through cold winter months. This energy-efficient method has proven vital in reducing reliance on external food shipments and cutting long-term operational costs.

What started as an experiment in local food production has evolved into a movement. Dozens of families now benefit directly from greenhouse-grown vegetables and herbs, and local jobs have been created in planting, managing, and harvesting operations. Community members are actively involved, and plans are underway to introduce youth training programs that teach sustainable farming methods tied to traditional values.

Looking ahead, tribal leadership and development teams are exploring ways to scale this model to reach neighboring communities and increase distribution capacity. There is growing interest in forming cooperative networks that could market produce beyond the reservation while maintaining food sovereignty at the core of the mission.

Wakaga remains committed to supporting these efforts with infrastructure, technology, and economic planning to ensure long-term sustainability and community empowerment through the power of the land.