Developing Grassroots Urban Food Production Capacity in a Broken System
This guide provides a detailed walkthrough for implementing the first Ground Game project – a chicken coop (or several in different backyards) that serves as both a demonstration of regenerative principles and a catalyst for further development.
Project Overview
The Chicken Coop Catalyst is designed to:
- Create immediate food production capacity
- Demonstrate waste-to-resource principles
- Build community connections
- Generate shareable documentation
- Serve as an entry point for broader implementation
Timeline: 30 Days from Concept to Completion
Week 1: Planning & Preparation
Days 1-3: Team Formation
- Identify local V-DAO, ReFI DAO, and other Regen members within geographic proximity
- Host virtual planning session to assess available spaces
- Create preliminary design based on selected site
- Map team skills and identify gaps
Days 4-7: Resource Strategy
- Research local DIY home renovation store donation program requirements
- Identify potential nonprofit partner for tax exemption
- Create materials list based on design
- Begin outreach to potential corporate volunteer sources
- Inventory available tools and identify needs
Week 2: Resource Gathering
Days 8-10: Corporate Engagement
- Submit formal request to Home Depot with nonprofit partner
- Connect with Kohl’s or similar corporate volunteer program
- Begin neighborhood outreach for additional support
- Create documentation plan for resource gathering process
Days 11-14: Materials & Knowledge Preparation
- Secure needed materials through donations and upcycling
- Create detailed construction plan and timeline
- Develop roles for build day participants
- Begin promotional content for build event
Week 3: Pre-Build Preparation
Days 15-17: Site Preparation
- Clear and prepare installation site
- Pre-assemble components where possible
- Finalize volunteer schedule and roles
- Complete safety and logistics planning
Days 18-21: Community Engagement
- Host pre-build community information session
- Finalize documentation strategy and assign roles
- Confirm all materials and tools are ready
- Send final communications to all participants
Week 4: Implementation & Documentation
Days 22-23: Build Weekend
- Host 2-day build event with all participants
- Document entire process through photos, video, and notes
- Incorporate community celebration elements
- Complete functional coop structure
Days 24-30: Finalization & Knowledge Capture
- Complete any remaining construction elements
- Install chickens and initial supplies
- Create care and maintenance protocols
- Finalize documentation for sharing
Resource Requirements
Materials
Tools
Human Resources
Corporate Engagement Script
Home Depot Materials Donation
Initial Approach: “Hello, I’m [Name] from [Nonprofit Partner]. We’re working with community members to implement a food security project that will serve as both an educational resource and a source of fresh food. We’re interested in learning more about Home Depot’s community support programs for materials.”
Key Points to Emphasize:
- Partnership with registered nonprofit
- Educational component of the project
- Community building aspect
- Sustainability and food security benefits
- Visibility opportunities for Home Depot
Specific Request: “For this specific project, we’re building a community chicken coop that will produce approximately [X] eggs per week, serve as an educational site for [X] community members, and demonstrate sustainable waste management. We’ve developed a materials list that totals approximately $[X] retail value. Would it be possible to discuss how Home Depot might support this initiative?”
Corporate Volunteer Recruitment
Initial Approach: “Hello, I’m reaching out about [Company]’s employee volunteer program. We’re implementing a community food security project that might align well with your corporate social responsibility goals while providing a meaningful team-building opportunity for your employees.”
Key Points to Emphasize:
- Tangible, completed project in one weekend
- Team-building opportunity
- Skill development for employees
- Photo/video opportunities
- Alignment with sustainability/community goals
Specific Request: “We’re looking for [X] volunteers for [specific dates] to help with construction of a community chicken coop. The project will take approximately [X] hours and will include both skilled and unskilled tasks. We’ll provide all materials, refreshments, and a recognition component for your team’s contribution.”
Documentation Strategy
Photo/Video Plan
- Before/after shots of the site
- Time-lapse of the build process
- Interviews with participants about their experience
- Close-ups of key construction techniques
- Footage of corporate volunteers in action
- Celebration moments upon completion
Knowledge Capture
- Step-by-step construction process
- Materials list with alternatives
- Common challenges and solutions
- Design variations for different contexts
- Maintenance requirements and schedule
- Return on investment calculations (eggs, waste processing)
- Community engagement learnings
Distribution Plan
- Full guide published to V-DAO knowledge commons
- Condensed social media version with key moments
- Thank-you package for corporate sponsors
- Community education materials
- Template for future implementations
On-Chain Integration
Contribution Tracking
- Record volunteer hours by category
- Document material donations and sources
- Track skill sharing and knowledge contributions
- Register completed project specifications
Impact Measurement
- Egg production metrics
- Waste processing capacity
- Educational events hosted
- Skill development outcomes
- Community connections formed
Resource Coordination
- Tool sharing management
- Skill inventory development
- Material flow tracking
- Volunteer capacity matching
Ongoing Management Plan
Daily/Weekly Operations
- Egg collection schedule
- Feeding and watering protocol
- Waste management system
- Basic health monitoring
Monthly Activities
- Deep cleaning procedure
- Maintenance checklist
- Production tracking
- Community education events
Quarterly Development
- System optimization assessment
- Expansion planning
- Knowledge sharing sessions
- Connection to other projects
First 90 Days Impact Projections
Tangible Outputs
- Functional chicken coop housing 4-6 laying hens
- Egg production: ~1,000 eggs annually
- Waste processing: ~500 lbs food scraps annually
- Educational capacity: 100+ visitors
Community Building
- 15-20 direct build participants
- 50+ community members engaged through process
- 3-5 corporate relationships established
- 1 nonprofit partnership formalized
Knowledge Creation
- Complete implementation guide
- Video documentation series
- Corporate engagement template
- Materials sourcing playbook
Movement Building
- Social media content reaching 1,000+ viewers
- Template for 5+ additional implementations
- Foundation for complementary projects
- Pathway to larger infrastructure development
Scaling Strategy
Immediate Next Projects
- Automated garden irrigation system
- Rainwater collection infrastructure
- Upcycled community gathering space
- Food preservation workshop station
Connection Mechanisms
- Egg distribution network
- Compost sharing system
- Tool library expansion
- Skill exchange platform
Common Infrastructure Needs
- Mobile processing equipment
- Shared refrigeration systems
- Community kitchen access
- Distribution logistics
This implementation guide serves as both a practical roadmap for the first project and a template for future Ground Game initiatives. By thoroughly documenting this process, we create the foundation for a scalable approach to regenerative infrastructure development—one backyard at a time.
