The Story of Our Walipini Greenhouse

Every dream starts somewhere.

For us, it started with an old trailer.

When we purchased the property that is now Cow Face Farm, the area where our Walipini greenhouse stands today was occupied by a worn-out trailer. The roof was falling in, raccoons had made themselves at home, and the entire space felt neglected. It carried a lot of negative energy and represented a chapter that had come to an end.

Rather than simply tearing everything down and sending it to a landfill, we spent countless hours carefully dismantling the structure and reusing as much of the material as possible. It was hard work, but it felt important to give the space a new purpose and a fresh start.

For quite some time, we weren't sure what should replace it.

What we did know was that we had a dream.

Like many people, we spent years working in the corporate world while imagining a different future. Our retirement dream was to someday build a small business centered around gardening, learning, sustainability, and helping others connect with nature.

The dream was always there.

Then something unexpected happened.

The dream started calling us sooner than we planned.

"If you build it, they will come."

That simple idea became the spark that launched one of the biggest projects we have ever undertaken.

Jeremy began researching underground greenhouses, geothermal heating and cooling systems, solar design, and sustainable growing methods. For months, the design evolved through countless revisions and discussions with trusted friends and family, including our friend Larry and Hajnal's brother Lali—both talented engineers who generously shared their knowledge and ideas.

Eventually, the planning gave way to construction.

Our Walipini greenhouse was designed to work with nature instead of against it.

Built partially underground, the greenhouse takes advantage of the earth's natural ability to moderate temperature. Hundreds of feet of underground geothermal tubing help bring stable temperatures into the growing space throughout the year. The greenhouse also captures and maximizes the sun's energy while reducing the need for supplemental heating and cooling.

The structure itself is built from locally milled cedar and covered with Solexx greenhouse panels, a specialized material designed to diffuse sunlight evenly throughout the greenhouse while helping protect plants from excessive UV exposure.

Of course, not everything went according to plan.

Along the way, we learned countless lessons about drainage, insulation, ventilation, construction techniques, and greenhouse management. Every challenge taught us something new and helped shape the greenhouse into what it is today.

In 2023, we officially opened the Walipini.

What began as a retirement dream had arrived years ahead of schedule.

Today, the Walipini serves many purposes. It is a place where we grow plants, test ideas, teach classes, host visitors, and continue learning every day. It has become a space filled with creativity, curiosity, and positive energy—the exact opposite of what once stood here.

We currently grow a variety of houseplants while gradually expanding into food crops and vegetables. We also offer hands-on classes, greenhouse consultations, and greenhouse sales to help others pursue their own growing dreams.

Most importantly, the Walipini has become a gathering place.

A place where people can slow down, learn something new, connect with nature, and maybe even discover a dream of their own.

We hope you'll come visit and become part of the story.