Round Mountain Institute, Inc. was founded in 2002. A decade earlier the land at the base of Round Mountain began its transformation into an ecologically friendly farm. Through the years over a thousand people have toured the ever-changing landscape. It all began with a yurt, then the first straw bale house in Gunnison County and finally with a partially straw bale solar greenhouse. The past 12 years have seen the gardens grow to over two acres of ecologically cultivated vegetables, flowers and herbs. Without the overwhelming community support for Round Mountain Institute it never could have materialized into what was once just a vision. The vision was inspired by seeing the toxic agri-business of America polluting the environment and the simple non-toxic farming methods of Nepali villagers sustaining themselves in rhythm with the Earth.