project leader
Lorrie G
location
S. Parkway
(South Memphis)
latest update rss
C-3 Land Cooperative talks with WREG

the project

Our project will provide leasable land (for $1/year), tools,  supplies, and support for people living in blighted Memphis neighborhoods.  They will become self-sufficient growers, using a permaculture model.  As members of the C-3 Land Cooperative, resident growers will have a strong, democratic voice in all their ongoing projects.

the steps

  1. Apply to recieve free vacant lot(s) for community gardens from the Shelby County Land Bank.
  2. Clear lots of debris from demolished homes.
  3. Till and add soil amendments.
  4. Build hoop houses.
  5. Build chicken coops and obtain chicks.
  6. Initiate first planting season.

why we're doing it

The C-3 Land Cooperative was formed as a nonprofit corporation in May 2017, using a community land trust model.  Part of our mission is to make land available for projects and activities that improve the quality of life in economically disadvantaged, Memphis neighborhoods. Additionally, we seek to protect the natural environment, the long term health and safety of the community, and promote the ecologically sound use of land and natural resources in these neighborhoods. Our first project is C-3 Cooperative Gardens.

We belive that growing your own food is empowering. 

Residents of South Memphis in zip codes 38106 and 38126 face many economic challenges. More than  60 percent  are not in the labor force or unemployed.  And the majority of those employed earn less than $30,000 per year.  Food insecurity in an ongoing challenge for this community.  There are many who have the skills and desire to grow their own food.  But 48 percent  in 38106 and 87 percent in 38126 are renters.  So they don't have the freedom to cultivate the property where they live.

We believe access to land is empowering.

Thousands of blighted, vacant lots fill the community.  These lots are offered for sale by the Shelby County Land Bank. However, even the most inexpensive lots are financially out of reach for most South Memphians.  Debris from demolished homes must be cleared to make the lots usable for growing.  Soil amendments must be added and the land cultivated to prepare for planting.  This presents additional barriers for residents without adequate money or tools to begin growing their own food.

We believe that shaping what your community looks like is empowering.

Our goal is to provide the means for community members to grow their own food and become self-sufficient urban growers. Once residents sign on as growers in the C-3 Land Cooperative, not only will they have access to land, tools, supplies, and support, but they will qualify to nominate board members, vote in board elections, and vote on future C-3 projects and initiatives. The citizens, who have a stake in the community, will help decide it's direction.

 

 

Conversation

Thank you to Claire, Beverly, Roy, Mila, Andria, and Arin J for kicking off our campaign! Your donations are greatly appreciated!
Thank you to Adam White, John Marek, Scott Banbury, Shaun, Jeff W. Christina H. and Emily Yelling for your donations!

budget

DISBURSEMENT BUDGET (as of 10/5/17):

Tilling, compost, manure:   $200
Tools:  $500
Hoop houses:  $600
Chicken coops:  $500
Chicks and supplies:  $100
Plants, seeds, trees:  $200
Liability Insurance:  $500
Fencing:  $645



RAISED = $3,400.00
ioby Platform Fee  $35.00
Payment Processing Fee (3%) $98.01
TOTAL TO DISBURSE = $3,266.99

 

REVISED BUDGET:



SUBTOTAL = $4,015
ioby Platform Fee  $35
ioby Fiscal Sponsorship Fee (5%) $201
Donation Processing Fee (3%) $120
TOTAL TO RAISE = $4,371

 

ORIGINAL BUDGET:

Bobcat rental to clear debris on lots: $315

Tilling, wood chips, manure: $200

Tools: $500

Building materials for hoop houses: $600

Building supplies for chicken coops: $500

Chicks and chicken supplies" $100

Plants, seeds, trees: $200

Liability insurance: $500

Legal fees to prepare ground leases: $1000

Accounting fees: $400

Miscellaneous supplies: $300

Fencing at $17/foot: $700



SUBTOTAL = $5,315
ioby Platform Fee  $35
ioby Fiscal Sponsorship Fee (5%) $266
Donation Processing Fee (3%) $159
TOTAL TO RAISE = $5,775

 

updates

What is a Community Land Trust?

Our program is much different from that of many nonprofits.  Learn about the history of community land trusts, their benefits, and why they're increasingly being utilized today.  Click the link to learn more.

What is Permaculture?

You may have noticed that our growers will use a permaculture model.  But what exactly does permaculture mean?  How is this system different from regular backyard gardening?  Click the link to learn more.

photos

This is where photos will go once we build flickr integration

donors

  • Paul and Tracy O'Connor
  • George Boyington
  • Georgene
  • Joan E. Munsee
  • Alice Pettit
  • Joseph Fennell
  • Marilyn Livesay
  • Kyra H.
  • Karen Byers
  • Tanzi R.
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Heidi Rupke
  • Charlie Belenky
  • Naomi, Larry, and Rosa
  • Michelle Rappaport
  • Anonymous
  • Emily Fulmer
  • Rhonda Johnson
  • Sarah Beth
  • Gina Casem
  • Michael Graber
  • PELT Center
  • Anonymous
  • Melissa
  • Linda Marks
  • Kalyna H.
  • Jenna Stonecipher
  • Joyce Ann
  • Sarah Terry
  • Nikka Valken
  • Ruby E Booth
  • Avis Jones
  • MR WILLIAM ANDREWS
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Amber Sam Thompson
  • Brandon H.
  • Esther
  • Ellen Roberds
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Lauren Patti, ioby
  • Cathy Jean
  • Indigo (from ioby)
  • Anonymous
  • Bill Stegall troublemaker
  • Julie F.
  • Anthony A.
  • Roy Barnes
  • Colleen Gideon
  • Habiba Tramel
  • Anonymous
  • Memphis MFR
  • Anonymous
  • Allison and Jacob
  • Natalie Worlow
  • Alice Miller
  • Anonymous
  • Theresa O'Toole
  • Anonymous
  • Tomeka Hart
  • Athena Palmer
  • Emily Yellin
  • Christina H.
  • Jeff W
  • Shaun
  • Scott Banbury
  • John Marek
  • Adam White
  • Anonymous
  • Arin J.
  • Andria Brown
  • Roy Barnes
  • Anonymous
  • Beverly D.
  • Claire Bergman