What we are asking for...

The Bee Inspired Gardens initiative and our partners are looking for crowdfunded support to purchase materials for a large, outdoor solar dehydrator for anyone in the community to use!

Bee Inspired Gardens is a collaborative community movement based out Moab, UT. Our mission is to inspire efforts toward pollinator health, water conservation, and food and forage systems using gardens, workshops and resources in a way that benefits our community and ecosystems. Visit our website at https://beeinspired.usu.edu/

What you need to know...

Who (will use it): Bee Inspired Gardens, Resiliency Hub, Moab Gleaners, Youth Garden Project, USU Extension, the Local Food Task Force for Grand County, and YOU! The solar dehydrator will be available to rent to individuals, businesses, and nonprofits in Moab for $10/day.

What: Our outdoor solar chimney dehydrator will harness the power of the sun to preserve massive amounts of fruits, veggies, or herbs. The solar dehydrator will have approximately 12 large trays (much bigger than a typical dehydrator) and will be an amazing asset for taking advantage of all of the fruit that can be gleaned from the homes, businesses, and public places around the valley. For a short video on how it works, click here.

Where: The solar dehydrator will be housed at the Youth Garden Project (530 S 400 E, Moab, UT).

When: The solar dehydrator will be available for rent after the build is complete in early September.

Why: We and our partners recognize that there is an abundance of fruit here in Moab that often is not harvested in time and goes to waste. The solar dehydrator project is a sustainable and beautiful way to celebrate the abundant local harvest, promote community values surrounding agriculture & pollinator health, and educate our community about ways to make their garden harvest last well beyond the growing season.

How: The cost of renting the solar dehydrator will be a $10/day flat fee; sliding scale rental fees will also be available to make this resource accessible to all who may benefit. An additional fee will be added if access to YGP's community kitchen is needed for processing.

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We are asking anybody who thinks they will utilize this community asset to contribute! The outdoor solar dehydrator will be available to rent for $10/day, but if you help us with the upfront material costs, we are able to offer a deal...

For anyone who donates $50 or more, you will never have to pay rental fees! With each new fruit season, you can rest assured knowing that you have a place to preserve your harvest and have delicious treats for months to come!

For anyone who donates $10 or more, you get one free rental day before December 2021!

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Thank you to Walker True Value for supporting this project through an in-kind donation of select materials to get us started, and to Kate Weigel for the beautiful illustration.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Kate Weigel (weigel.kate@gmail.com).

Let's Build a Solar Dehydrator!

By Youth Garden Project

Let's Build a Solar Dehydrator!

Help us reduce Moab's food waste and celebrate the abundant fruit harvest in our community!