Creating a Cooperative in Calaveras County!
Forming into groups to discuss the many topics of creating a Cooperative.
Affordable local organic food, unique herbal crafts, zero waste practices, a commercial kitchen to prepare preserves, sauces, canned goods, ferments, and meals to go, a market open just like every other grocery store in America, and access to pasture raised animals and dairy; This is what we want in a centralized location in Calaveras County.
On September 12, 2020 3ndless 3arth 3covillage invited the local community to the Rail Road Flat Community Hall (now acting as the schoolhouse for the Elementary Homeschoolers) to take the initiative in creating a cooperative model and business plan that could be replicable for both large and small organizations.
The meeting focused on two important facets this model must consider to establish resiliency within and around the current culture in Calaveras County…affordability and convenience. With 20 people attending this meeting from Mountain Ranch, Rail Road Flat, Glencoe, Vallecito, and Sheep Ranch they were able to form groups discussing in more detail the many features of a cooperative and in particular how this model would work in the Foothills.
Here are the topics that were covered in the meeting:
Co-Op Meeting - Creating Community Resiliency
Mission: What is this Co-Op about?
This Co-Op will provide a centrally located storefront that is conveniently open at the hours most of the community shops to create, educate the youth, buy and sell goods and services that are local, organic, and sustainably produced.
Why is this needed?
Calaveras County doesn’t have a co-op storefront where the community can create, buy and sell local food, crafts, bulk items, hygiene products, services, and gather community in a cafe type venue. Co-Ops allow funds generated from memberships, vendors, and grants to provide affordable pricing of goods and services to the community thus creating more local resiliency during times of crisis or hardship. Giving the community an outlet to shift the socio-economic atmosphere from the ground up.
Locations:
Large enough spaces for multiple businesses to be operating
Seasonal tents with access to power
Pickup and drop off spots (churches, farmer’s markets, faires, local events, community centers)
RRF Elementary School site (RRF Community Trading Post & School)
How is it affordable?
provide bulk items
spaces to create and store (commercial kitchen, fridge and freezers, root cellars)
customer costs are only for storage and transportation essentially
possibly paying hourly wages for people to help create products
applying for grants
education for children about Co-Op models and business
business ethics for junior high students
provides internal marketing
“blemished products” are reproduced and by-products reduce waste
San Andreas High School gets greenhouse for winter crops or greenhouse at CHIPS biomass plant that uses heat from biochar facility
employee housing
How is it convenient?
open at hours when people are shopping
right before and after church on Sundays
not many workers when there is not much to sell
diversity of selection, quality of products
consistency of diversity
parking
online services - weekly and annual availabilities
phone call inquiries
pay in advance for weekly box with discounts
full time workers to keep items stocked at all times
“Buying Club” to buy in bulk bringing costs down for everyone
Business Model:
Board driven
Corporation
Non-Profit
Does zoning affect model? (school, cafe’, storefront, etc)
Employee Owned
Seasonal or permanent
Bottomline:
use an example (sauerkraut) to highlight how the model works
what are the upfront costs, profits needed, hours needed?
knowing your product is needed and are not novelty items
Workforce & Volunteering:
community involvement for affordability
trade hours for products or currency used
gleaning gains 10%
sharing livestock responsibilities
sharing transportation and hauling
sharing equipment and tools
using animals for fuel reduction
Memberships:
pays for upfront costs for projects while the Co-Op waits for grants
annual costs are cheaper than weekly, monthly
gives access to create, buy, and sell in store
provides marketing for your products
guarantees your product on shelves
Goods and Services:
vegetables, fruits, legumes, greens, roots, berries
fermented goods
dried fruit
sauces, preserves
baked goods
bulk grains, rice, pasta, nuts, flour, etc
wild foraged herbs, edibles, teas
tea and coffee
hygiene and beauty products
meats, eggs, cheese
beverages
specialty skills, consults, trades
Community Building:
gathering in one location everyday
local currency used
skill-sharing
supporting each other’s crafts and lifestyles
creating spaces to learn, grow, and heal
hosting more events, workshops, dinners, and projects
Supporting Our Local Ecology:
less of carbon-footprints
less transportation (oil, fuel, mileage, time)
working with nature
farming and eating seasonally
zero waste facility (bring your own bags, containers, etc)
Collaboration:
working with other Co-Ops
direct relationships with farmers and crafters
workers and volunteers help create the ambiance
membership driven and community members are more involved
What kinds of currencies are accepted?
US Federal Debt Notes (dollars)
Co-Op Tokens
Mother Lode Gold? (Calaveras Grown)
Tell Our Story:
Sharing the culture and values we hold dear
Marketing
Marketing:
labels
advertising
seasonal events
monthly dinners
educational workshops
community outreach (giving to people in need)
If you are interested in attending the next meetings, becoming a volunteer for Job Positions (listed below), or are a farmer, crafter, artist, vendor, or provide services to the community please Subscribe to our email list so we can keep you informed.