Copy

We're Rolling!

After three years in development, the Compost Cooperative has started diverting waste away from the landfill. One of our first customers is ICE CREAM ALLEY at 221 Main Street in Greenfield. This newly opened business features fabulously tasty and locally made ice cream and uses all compostable items. They also understand the importance of building a collaborative economy.
We wish them the best!

More great news:
we're launching a

Kickstarter Campaign in July

to raise funds for a used truck--and so much more.
In our next newsletter we'll be sending a link to the campaign.
Here's what we need to take the next steps in our business:

  • 5-gallon buckets
  • 32- and 64-gallon totes on wheels
  • bicycles and carts
  • used truck
  • lift gate
  • insurance
  • safety gear
  • stickers, magnets, and t-shirts with our beautiful logo

Join us in developing a just and sustainable economic infrastructure
for people coming out of jail.


Many people and businesses have helped us get to this point, especially Amy Donovan and The People's Pint. This month we are also hugely grateful to Matt at CHERRY RUM AUTO in Greenfield for loaning us a truck so we can haul for our commercial clients while we raise funds to purchase our own truck.

We're now scheduling audits free of charge for potential commercial customers. This entails analyzing and hauling compostables for 1-2 weeks and coming up with an individualized estimate for each customer. Please get in touch if you or someone you know might be interested in our services!

Dispatches from the Journey Home, Part 4:
Making the Music Happen by Gerard

When I was around 13, out of nowhere I started writing lyrics to instrumentals. It peaked my interest and was the only creative outlet that worked for me. I could sit down and put effort into it.

I've always been big into hip hop. Growing up I listened to 50 Cent, Eminem, Nelly, Nas, Tupac. One of the main reasons I was drawn to hip hop was it was relatable, it was things I'd seen and done, things I'd lived through. A lot of hip hop is about life struggles, about jail and prison and gang culture.

I was able to get my thoughts and emotions out in a way that occupied my time safely. There was the satisfaction of creating something and being able to share it with people and get feedback. Everyone needs to communicate somewhere. I prefer to communicate through words on the page, through rhyme and rhythm, rather than speaking.

While incarcerated there's plenty of time to reflect on yourself and things you've done and really find out who you are. You can use the time for introspection. Especially when I was at Walpole I wrote a lot. There was a lot of lock in, a lot of time in the cell, 16 hours a day or more. So I wrote

about what I was going through at the time, the life experiences that led me to where I was at, and where I wanted to go in the future.

One of the first things I did when I got out was buy instrumentals and book studio time. I started to take music more seriously than I ever have, probably because it's been a lifelong dream that I've never really pursued. I don't think I could live with myself later if I didn't at least try.

These days, I'm writing all kinds of songs, even for fun. I'm starting to get paid to write for other people. I've been putting my work on the internet and pushing it out there. I've reached #1 on local and regional charts so I'm going to keep going and see where it takes me.

Both my music and the Compost Co-op are things I believe in and both help me to believe in myself. I'm taking steps towards a successful future. I'm trying to make something out of nothing, and putting in work to make it happen. I can't do any of it alone: I can't make music without producers, engineers, and people to listen. I can't pick up compost without our customers and collaborators, such as Martin's Farm, Matt, and you. Thanks for your support in our upcoming Kickstarter campaign!

Stay tuned ...

The Compost Co-operative is a grassroots effort to reduce waste and incarceration, promote composting, and apply transformative justice principles to local conditions. We welcome your ideas, including suggestions
for what to name our new used truck!
Check out our Kickstarter Campaign next month.

Send us your ideas!

Tell your friends about this project

It's not just about the soil!
Connect with us (or unsubscribe) at:
thecompostcooperative@gmail.com
www.thecompostcooperative.com
or call us at (413) 376-8076
 
Copyright © 2017 by The Compost Cooperative, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is: PO Box 792, Greenfield, MA 01302

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

 






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
The Compost Cooperative · 16 Federal Street · Greenfield, MA 01301 · USA

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp