Coops to Co-ops
Born out of dilapidated chicken houses!
In Princess Anne Maryland a sustainable project created to be an example of a new way to live in the world launched in 2019.
GOAL:
Distribution & funding to increase production value, production team and viewership.
Gil Braum / gil@gilbraum.com / (678) 350-1674
Episodic Series:
Janet Phillips, founder and creator funded the initial launch of Coops to Co-ops with a family inheritance early 2019. The project exists on a 40-acre plot of land with an expansive multi-phase plan of development in the years ahead.
- April 2019 - Renovations began
- June 2020 - Grand opening of Farmers Market and Community Space. First of four dilapidated chicken coops renovated. The re-purposed space known as Coop One; includes outdoor kitchens, yoga area, game area, clothing swap, etc.
- September 2020 - In response to COVID-19 - Coops to Co-ops opens space for Pandemic Pods. A community solution to keep children safe while sharing the responsibility of teaching and supervising students.
* ALL WATER - is supplied by two wells located on each side of the properties.
* ALL ELECTRICITY - is supplied by two solar arrays located on each side of the properties.
* COOP ONE - event space and market is FREE of charge for all vendors and educators upon application approval.
Production Aims:
Character & Story Development:
The challenge and opportunity for core team members living on site is to make use of the resources provided while making a living transitioning towards independent sustainability.
The challenge and opportunity for core team members living on site is to make use of the resources provided while making a living transitioning towards independent sustainability.
Edutainment:
Find the balance to spice in mini-educational lessons in wild greens, farming, and sustainable living.
Find the balance to spice in mini-educational lessons in wild greens, farming, and sustainable living.
Milestones ahead:
Near-Term Vision:
Community co-op, separate from the Farmers Market that will be a bulk item health food store, member-owned and operated. Membership fees and volunteering hours would keep costs low, allowing the availability of fresh, healthy food for members, without discrimination of financial ability. The Co-Op membership intends to remain small and manageable, however, duplicatable.
Community co-op, separate from the Farmers Market that will be a bulk item health food store, member-owned and operated. Membership fees and volunteering hours would keep costs low, allowing the availability of fresh, healthy food for members, without discrimination of financial ability. The Co-Op membership intends to remain small and manageable, however, duplicatable.
Medium-Term Vision:
Coops to Greenhouses: There are around 3000 abandoned chicken coops on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Four of them are on property owned by Coops to Co-op. One has already been turned into a Farmers’ Market and Community Space, using upcycled materials and repurposed windows, chairs, tables and more. In the future, Coops to Co-ops will refurbish the remaining structures to create greenhouses for a variety of produce: Tropicals, vegetables, wild greens, mushrooms and beyond.
Coops to Greenhouses: There are around 3000 abandoned chicken coops on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Four of them are on property owned by Coops to Co-op. One has already been turned into a Farmers’ Market and Community Space, using upcycled materials and repurposed windows, chairs, tables and more. In the future, Coops to Co-ops will refurbish the remaining structures to create greenhouses for a variety of produce: Tropicals, vegetables, wild greens, mushrooms and beyond.
Long-Term Vision:
Sustainable housing will be built on 2.5 acres plots. Each owner will be able to grow their own food and live off the land. Community members will have the option to share their skills, tools, and crops. A true grassroots community is forming to create, heal, grow, and live in harmony with the earth and its fellow inhabitants. Expand beyond 40-acres into lots surrounding the property which are hundreds of acres.
Sustainable housing will be built on 2.5 acres plots. Each owner will be able to grow their own food and live off the land. Community members will have the option to share their skills, tools, and crops. A true grassroots community is forming to create, heal, grow, and live in harmony with the earth and its fellow inhabitants. Expand beyond 40-acres into lots surrounding the property which are hundreds of acres.
* Compost toilets and showers built next to farmers market Coop One.
* Houseboat relocated to Fox Lake and tied to electricity.
* Healing Center built in Coop; sound healing, massage, etc
* Fall 2020 Vegan Thanksgiving - in Coop One
* Fall 2020 - Farmers market will transition into Christmas bizarre.
* NYE 2021 - Polar bear swim event in Fox Lake.
