Vail Valley nonprofits collaborate to create new greenhouse in Edwards
New Salvation Army greenhouse will be housed at the Eagle Valley Land Trust Conservation Center

Anne Barnett/Courtesy photo
Even though it’s not gardening season yet, the Vail Valley Salvation Army is busy making plans for its new greenhouse in Edwards.
In September 2024, the local Salvation Army chapter was told it needed to vacate the space it had been in for 13 years. The Traer Creek location in Avon housed the Vail Valley Salvation Army office, food pantry, greenhouses and gardens. A temporary solution was found, and the Vail Valley Salvation Army was able to move into the Vail Daily building in EagleVail for one year. Its trailer where its headquarters was located and other structures are being stored on a county-owned site courtesy of the Eagle County Board of Commissioners until a permanent space is found.
The temporary location in EagleVail doesn’t leave room for a greenhouse, which has become a big part of the Vail Valley Salvation Army’s offerings. Luckily a new, permanent home for a greenhouse is going to be made possible due to the generosity of donors and a collaboration with the Eagle County Land Trust, another nonprofit in Eagle County.
Brooke and CP Smith reached out to the Salvation Army about donating a greenhouse space. The Smith’s know the importance of connecting to the land. The two owned a five-acre ranch in Reno, Nevada after moving there from Denver.
“When we started out, we were so clueless about the land, and it’s not for the faint of heart. But quiet spots in nature are where some of my best ideas have come from. And I do believe that land gives you a space to dream,” Smith said. “It has been scientifically proven that getting your hands in the dirt produces more serotonin, the feel-good chemical for your brain. So, I just want to thank Eagle Valley Land Trust for giving us the opportunity to donate a greenhouse and get a permanent spot and have the amazing Salvation Army run it. I’m super excited for what’s to come.”

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The Eagle Valley Land Trust has been around since 1981 and since then it has conserved over 14,000 acres across 40 separate properties. The Eagle Valley Land Trust now calls the former Wildflower Farm in Edwards home. In addition to housing the newly donated greenhouse for the Salvation Army, it is also collaborating with other nonprofits.

“We partner with over 40 other organizations, including non-traditional partners like the Vail Valley Salvation Army, The Community Market and the traditional partners like the Eagle County Conservation District, Eagle County Open Space and Colorado State University Extension office,” said Jessica Foulis, executive director of the Eagle Valley Land Trust. “We’re so excited to have the opportunity to create this Conservation Center for our community, where all of those partners can come together, and the community can join us here and learn about all the amazing things that are going on and connect directly to the land.”

The Vail Valley Salvation Army plans to do much more than just grow food in its new greenhouse. Sarah McCracken is the garden greenhouse manager who also has a bachelor’s degree in sustainable studies and is certified in horticultural therapy.
“In the last 10 years, we’ve gained this momentum with our community, local restaurants and donors to keep this solution for food security going. So, when we had to vacate and move our offices, Brooke stepped in and said, ‘We’re going to get you a greenhouse.’ And therefore, we have this partnership with Eagle Valley Land Trust, which is amazing.”
The greenhouse will be built during Phase 2 of the Eagle Valley Land Trust’s Conservation Center’s campaign. Construction on Phase 2 is dependent on fundraising. McCracken is excited about what the greenhouse is going to provide.
“Beyond growing food, it’s the community engagement and stakeholder collaboration that makes this possible. It takes a whole bunch of different nonprofits to come together to provide services that we need for our community,” McCracken said. “We can’t wait to get our greenhouse up and operating again and bringing people back to the gardens for not only healthy food, but for educational programs.”