Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab herb drying rack

We are the Fab(rication) Four. Our ENGR 205 group was tasked with designing a herb-drying rack for the Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab on campus.

The Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab is a one-of-a-kind facility that emphasizes decolonizing food education and recognition of Indigenous knowledge; the facility encourages education through hands-on learning, community, and stewardship of the land. The Food Sovereignty Lab is entirely student-run and self-funded through donations, grants, and other community contributions.

The Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab staff have expressed the need for an herb-drying rack within the lab and graciously trusted us as ENGR 205 students to develop and build the project for them.

The Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab is currently facing difficulties with a lack of space for all ingredient processing. Locally gardened and collected indigenous flora are processed and prepared for drying inside the lab, then left to dry on the west-facing stainless steel lab tables, occupying valuable workspace in an already occupied space. With the facility already processing acorns and salmon, facilitating Native American food festivals and events, and hosting classes and educational laboratories, it has become apparent that a better system is necessary for drying herbs in the facility.

Specifications are what must exist and the conditions the design must meet. Introduce the list, e.g., the specifications for this project include:

• the client and client liaison
• the specific location
• the maximum budget and where that budget comes from
• a maximum size

Considerations are what the design must keep in mind. Introduce the list, e.g., the considerations for this project include:

• the local climate
• the end users and how they will interact with the design

Introduce criteria and constraints in a sentence or two, and refer to the table, e.g., Table 1 lists the criteria, constraints, and weights for this project. Criteria are the basis for judging solutions; constraints are the limits each criterion must meet. Table captions go above the table. Keep this sortable.

Table 1: Example criteria and constraints for purchasing a chocolate bar. Replace with your project's criteria.

Criterion	Definition	Weight (0–10, 10 highest)
Size	Not too invasive of the surrounding environment	7
Cost	Below $2500	3
Capacity	Capable of holding/drying substantial amounts of herbs	7
Materials	Non-plastic and natural materials	9

Describe how the design will be used, for how long, how often, and by whom. State how many will be made and whether others are expected to replicate it.

Our clients are the Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab faculty and staff.

Client interview^[1]

Summary: Our project liaison is Jaime, who started by mentioning the CCAT herb drying rack, which they said is very close to what they would like in the Food Sovereignty Lab. They mentioned a few things that they would like to change; they would like a more sleek, artistic, and modern look, they would like a more user-friendly design, and they would like to be able to handle a larger capacity. The selection of natural materials is also an important part of the design; redwood is specifically desirable.

Relevance: Material selection will be contentious, as we will have to choose a balance between food-safe, nonporous metal and natural wood.

Client website^[2]

Summary: ...

Relevance: ...

Web

Iwigara American Indian Ethnobotanical Traditions and Science^[3]

Summary: This book covers a broad range of uses of native plants to our region. It specifically explains how Native American people have fostered relationships with the plants and herbs around them. Concepts such as values of certain plants, respectful and ethical harvesting practices, and uses for various plants are discussed.

Relevance: This source will help us understand the use of our herb drying rack and the importance of the selection of materials for the project. Understanding why herbs need to be dried, and what they are used for is a key part of how we will make selection choices throughout every step of the design process.

Book

Experimental and modelling performances of a roof-integrated solar drying system for drying herbs and spices^[4]

Summary: This journal details an herb drying experiment that used methods such as sunlight and hot air to dry herbs. The findings show that either method can be effective for drying herbs, but a combination of both is ideal.

Relevance: We can consider the findings from this experiment during our design phase. We will be sure to choose a location that receives plenty of sunlight as well as moving air. We will prioritize a location that is near a window and high up, to optimize temperature, minimize humidity, as well as maximize light. We will need to be sure to consider this location when we choose the materials for the project. Ideally the materials will be able to withstand warm temperatures and direct sunlight for many years.

Peer-reviewed Journal

How to Make an Herb and Flower Drying Screen^[5]

Summary: This website provides a tutorial on how to make a basic herb drying rack. The website’s mission is to educate people on the uses and benefits of using herbs. They chose this design because it is simple to build and will work well for a variety of herbs.

Relevance: They specifically use wood and metal for the construction of their herb drying rack because these are food-safe and long-lasting materials. We will aim to use these for our project as well, because of the aforementioned reasons, as well as the aesthetic that they provide. Having access to this resource can give us a good reference point for a simple and proven herb drying system that we can build from. Web Source

Tending the wild: Native American knowledge and the management of California’s natural resources^[6]

Summary: This book focuses on how the Indigenous peoples of California cared for, maintained, and thrived on the land. Chapter 6 connects some ideas of how dried plant material could be used for basket weaving or other tools useful in everyday life.

Relevance: This book provides some context for which the herbs being dried may be used for. Not that all Californian tribes share the same practices, but there is some useful relevance that this book is on Californian tribes.

Book

Processing and preservation technologies to enhance indigenous food sovereignty, nutrition security and health equity in North America^[7]

Summary: This article overviews various methods of food preservation aimed to “make foods more stable, accessible, and safe, which support the food sovereignty” (Heaney et al. 2024).  It identifies drying as a traditional preservation method, and explains why the process of removing moisture from food keeps it more shelf-stable and limits waste.

Relevance: This source connects Indigenous food sovereignty with food-preservation methods, highlighting the importance of appropriate technologies in regards to cultural values.

Peer-reviewed Journal

How to harvest, dry, & store herbs from the garden^[8]

Summary: The article begins by introducing harvesting methods of various leaves, flowers, and roots. When it comes to air drying, Heidi notes that too much sun or heat can cause the herbs to over-dry and lose potency. For long-stemmed herbs, she recommends tying the stems of a bunch together and hanging them upside down. When air-drying on a rack, having good airflow is essential. Organize the herbs into thin sheets for optimal airflow. She notes using a fine-meshed sieve for finer plant matter.

Relevance: While not providing historical Indigenous practices, this article provides some useful practical considerations for our rack, such as the need for good airflow and possible application for handling herb bundles.

Web Source

Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs^[9]

Summary: This book provides informational profiles of a range of different herbs and guidance on how to cultivate and harvest them. Kowalchik and Hylton (1987, pp. 268-269) give examples of ways to preserve an herb harvest by air-drying; they explain, “you can rack-dry it in a well-ventilated room out of direct sunlight” and “tie bunches tightly with a string or rubber bands… and hang them in a warm, dark, well-ventilated area”.

Relevance: This encyclopedia offers a plethora of details that support the overall purpose and objective of this project, which is to dry herbs. The book also offers insight into the specific herbs the Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab grows and will be drying, such as mugwort, yarrow, willow, etc., for the final product.

Book

Drying herbs^[10]

Summary: This article includes information regarding the harvesting and drying of herbs. Oehler (2025) breaks down how different parts of the herbs are used for flavor, how to release oils from the plants, and how to properly store dried products. Additionally, the author notes the proper handling of harvested herbs for best preservation. Oehler (2025) notes different approaches to air-drying hardier and more tender herbs; ventilation is necessary for both kinds of herbs, but hardier herbs are seemingly more forgiving under less ideal conditions.

Relevance: This article guides the proper handling, harvesting, and processing of herbs. This will be supplemental information for finding a more efficient solution to the client’s problem.

Peer-reviewed Journal

How to dry herbs^[11]

Summary: The article describes simple, efficient ways to harvest and dry herbs. Schipani (2020) advises on the best conditions for harvesting herbs, such as early morning, “when essential oils are concentrated in the leaves.” The author also includes instructions for air-drying, microwave-drying, sun-drying, and dehydrating herbs. For air-drying, Schipani (2020) suggests that herbs should be tied in bundles with string or a rubber band in low-dust and low-sunlight conditions. Ventilation is also important for drying the herbs, and it’s imperative to check the humidity in the air.

Relevance: This article provides appropriate instructions on how to dry herbs and background on how to air-dry them, which is the intended method for this project.

Newspaper Article

Replace "First topic" with a descriptive heading. Open with one sentence that says why this topic matters to the project.

ADA Accessibility Standards (2014) “Operable Parts”, United States Accessibility Board, Washington DC, Chapter 3; ADA §205^[12]

Summary: This technical guide provides guidance for the Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards for operable parts in all public and most private buildings. It includes details on exact clearances, heights within reach and considerations for wheelchair users.

Relevance: This document will guide the project toward a design that meets federal accessibility standards and is user friendly regardless of user ability.

Government Dataset

How to Comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act^[13]

Summary: This journal provides a brief history of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the legal definition of a disability. It emphasises the significance and importance of accessible design, as well as the legal repercussions of failing this goal.

Relevance: By providing examples of edge cases that ended up in court, our team knows more of what and who to consider and keep in mind when designing the project.

Peer-reviewed Journal

Introduction to Accessibility and Universal Design for Learning^[14]

Summary: The Center for Teaching and Learning educates and assists Boise State University in methods of making education more accessible to a wider range of students. This article provides a definition of accessible design and contrasts it to universal design, two very similar concepts only differing in execution.

Relevance: Making a flexible design where the functions are naturally accessible, rather than posthumously providing assistance to those who cannot use the product.

Web Source

Building climate zones by zip codes^[15]

Summary: This source classifies the 95521 area code as California Climate Zone 1. The California Energy Commission (n.d.) has categorized the state into 16 different climate zones based on varying temperature and weather conditions. This gives context to the environmental conditions of the building where the herb-drying rack will be placed.

Relevance: The classification of the area code where the project is being built provides a better understanding of the humidity and temperature conditions that contribute to the overall functionality of the final product.

Government Dataset

Room 168 Building schematics^[16]

Summary: The schematics and room measurements state that the total room area of the Food Sovereignty Lab is 879 square feet, the ceiling is about 10 feet tall, and the total perimeter is 123 feet and 2 inches.

Relevance: This information provides an understanding of the size constraints of the final product; there is a height and space limit that the rack is confined to. University document

• Use natural, durable, and locally significant materials such as cedar and non-plastic components to achieve a sleek, earthy aesthetic and long-term use.
• Maximize ventilation in the design to prevent spoilage from moisture buildup.
• Give precedence to usability for a single person to load, unload, and clean large quantities of herbs regardless of ability.
• Ensure navigability of the space through careful placement and minimal footprint.
• Emphasize food sovereignty and environmental stewardship in the final design by honoring the cultural significance of food through the creation of an eco-friendly food preservation tool.

Introduce this section in one to two sentences specific to your project.

Describe four to eight alternatives, each under its own 'step template' as shown below and each with a catchy, descriptive name.

Continue this for the four to eight alternatives you have.

Introduce this section in one to two sentences specific to your project.

Define each criterion from Table 1 as it is used to judge the alternatives. These are definitions, not constraints. For example, the constraint on cost is the budget, but cost might be defined as the cost of materials only, or as materials plus operation and maintenance. If your criteria changed, update Table 1 so the two match.

Cost

Definition...

Taste

Definition...

Explain the decision process your team used (e.g., decision matrix, Pugh chart). First person is appropriate here. Refer to the table, e.g., Table 2 summarizes the decision matrix.

Table 2: Decision matrix. Scores are 0-10; weighted totals are the sum of weight × score.

Criterion	Weight	Alternative A	Alternative B	Alternative C
Cost	10	7	5	9
Taste	7	8	9	4
Weighted total		126	113	118

Name the chosen solution and justify it with reference to the criteria and Table 2.

Show your most impactful prototypes from earliest to final. Include at least one prototype for function (does it work? e.g., testing a mechanism, material, or dimension) and at least one prototype for desire (will people want to use it? e.g., a mockup shown to the client or users for feedback). Each caption should say what the prototype is, whether it tested function or desire, and what you learned from it. Early sketches, failed attempts, and photos of materials and hands at work all help tell the story.

• 
  Prototype for desire: cardboard mockup of ... shown to the client. We learned that ...
• 
  Prototype for function: test of ... We learned that ...

Describe the final design, starting with the big picture and then going into detail. Use labeled images and refer to them in the text. This is usually a big section.

• 
  CAD drawing of ... by Yourname1.
• 
  Drawing of ... by Yourname2.

Give a complete description of how the final design is built, with lots of images, so someone else could replicate it. Use one {{Step}} per step. This is much easier to write as descriptive (what you did) instead of prescriptive (what another person should do), but you can take either approach.

Introduce the timeline in one to two sentences, then show it as a table with columns for date, description, and status. Post a proposed timeline early in the semester and update it at the end to show the actual timeline. Say how well your team met it and why dates changed.

Table 3: Project timeline.

Date	Description	Status
Month Day, 2026	Background and problem statement posted	Complete
Month Day, 2026	Literature review posted	Complete
Month Day, 2026	First prototype built	In progress
Month Day, 2026	Final design installed and tested	Not started

Introduce the three kinds of cost below in one to two sentences.

Show the total human hours your team spent outside of class, grouped into categories (e.g., research, brainstorming, prototyping, construction, documentation). Three teammates working for one hour is three human hours. Include a pie chart image and refer to it, e.g., Figure # shows...

Introduce the costs to build the design, including donations and reused materials. Note whether costs are actual or proposed. If replication would cost a different amount, say so.

Item	Amount	Cost per unit	Total
Thing - from the thing store — Purchased	3	USD 5.75	USD 17.25
Another thing - 3' x 2', yellow — Donated by ...	1	USD 0.00	USD 0.00
PrintGrand total			USD 17.25EUR 14.84 <br />GBP 12.59 <br />CAD 21.39 <br />MXN 359.66 <br />INR 1,291.16 <br />

Introduce the ongoing costs in time and money, usually per year.

Table 4: Yearly maintenance cost.

Task	Frequency	Time per year (hours)	Cost per year (USD)
Example task	Monthly	2	0.00
Total		2	0.00

Introduce how to use the design, then give step-by-step instructions with labeled images. Use {{Step}} if the process has more than a few steps. A short video is a great addition:

Introduce this maintenance section. Answer these questions:

• Are there any needed actions for maintenance?
• How often?
• Who should perform maintenance?

This is when to maintain what. Please keep the format the same as it can be used to auto-populate maintenance tables.

Daily

• A daily task
• A daily task

Weekly

• a weekly task
• a weekly task

Monthly

• a monthly task
• a monthly task

Yearly

• a yearly task
• a yearly task

Every __ years

• task
• task

Give step-by-step maintenance instructions, using {{Step}} if helpful.

Describe how you tested the final design and what the results were. Compare the results to your criteria, e.g., in a table like Table 5.

Table 5: Final design performance against criteria.

Criterion	Constraint	Result	Met?
Cost	Less than or equal to $3 per ounce	$2.50 per ounce	Yes

Discuss what the testing results mean.

Discuss what your team learned and what you would do differently next time.

Discuss next steps for the project as it goes on into the future.

Cover basic operating problems only. For complex issues, the suggestion might be to contact ________.

Problem	Suggestion
Example issue	Example solution or suggestion
Does not turn on	Make sure it is plugged in.
Another issue	Etc.

Include an inspirational video for sharing.

Introduce the team and semester, e.g., This project was completed in SEMESTER YEAR by Team TEAMNAME:

• Raul Cook
• Tristan Straka
• Sophia Christiansen
• Dante Humes