Elizabeth Suggs | Staff Writer | elizabethannes.92@gmail.com
The temperature is turning up despite the cold season for Utah Valley University students La Donna and her son Lauren Jensen for their 12-Month Greenhouse project, called Insulate with Nothing, which they are attempting to fund through Kickstarter.
A greenhouse insulates the temperature so that plants are neither too hot nor too cold. The problem for many greenhouses, according to La Donna, is how unreliable the greenhouses can be. From leaking to raising heating costs during the winter, the everyday greenhouse isn’t doing the job.
“About three years ago my son wanted to make a greenhouse,” La Donna said. “He soon discovered it would be too expensive to heat the greenhouse.”
After this discovery, La Donna and Lauren decided to build their own greenhouse, not only for themselves, but for the world.
“I foresee nurseries using these,” La Donna said. “I see homeowners being able to raise produce in their homes without expensive heating.”
Many companies, including nurseries, have shown enthusiasm for the product, but many are skeptical on how it works. In order to prove that the greenhouse’s merit, the Jensens compiled a list of steps.
The 12 Month-Greenhouse differs from a normal greenhouse by the absence of air. The air is removed by two clear panels with a vacuum. The absence of air, according to the Jensens, makes the greenhouse walls similar to that of a home.
“Both Lauren and I know it works, but we have to prove it to the rest of the world,” La Donna said. “We’re like a horse with blinders on, we have got to keep focused and working towards our goal.”
With their project in mind, the Jensens went back to school; Lauren as an engineer, and La Donna as a marketer.
Within two weeks of starting school, La Donna had obtained an internship for her product, which has enabled multiple business relationships concerning the 12-Month Greenhouse.
“Things have really fallen into place,” La Donna said. “I think things will work out.”
La Donna has created Facebook and Kickstarter pages for her 12-month greenhouse. Unlike the Facebook, the Kickstarter didn’t get enough advertising. Their goal of $55,000 needs to be reached by Nov. 21.
A product can be on Kickstarter for a maximum of 99 days. Kickstarter recommends the product to online for 30 days or less to give it more “urgency.” Despite the recommendation, when starting the Kickstarter, the Jensens chose 35 days.
“We didn’t realize our product would be accepted so soon,” La Donna said. “When we do it again, [I’d] plan 60 days instead.”
Other plans, similar to Kickstarter, are going through an approval process. According to La Donna, the plans look “very promising.”
For more information or to become an investor, visit the 12-month Greenhouse Facebook page, the Kickstarter page at or contact La Donna personally by email: ladonnainutah@gmail.com
