To help extend the growing season in our area I suggest we build a pilot solar/high tunnel greenhouse for community use. This type of facility is already in use at a local foods farmer near Frazee, MN
The heat generated by the solar panels heats the soil to extend the growing season to 270 - 300 days a year.
Many of our areas New American communities are prodigious gardeners. They also grow some unique vegetables from their countries that would be interesting to learn about and try.
We can learn much from them. Perhaps NDSU Mechanical Engineering and extension could help fine tune and improve the facility as it's being built and operated. If it proves successful more could be developed.
Some good examples of community gardening are in place in Madison WI and other climates similar to ours.
This zero net energy use greenhouse could be placed in a convenient location in the city's core on a transit route so users wouldn't have to have a car and could walk or bike a short distance.
For initial funding this pilot hybrid greenhouse, some area foundations have a strong interest in helping develop more community gardens and fresh, local food.
The produce beyond the gardeners needs could be donated to supplement the food pantries and/or could be sold at a grocery co-op Downtown that has typical grocery goods supplemented with fresh, local produce.