A living budget

This budget is not a prediction, but a map of priorities. It shows how resources support land stewardship, paid care, and neighborhood-scale economic life over time.

Year 1 — Establishing Presence (1 site)

Total: ~$32k — 45k

  • Land and Infrastructure — $6k

  • Steward labor — $12k-$18k

  • Programming and shared care — $4k-$6k

  • Operations and admin — $5k

  • Coordination and documentation — $5k

Year 2 — Deepening Rhythm

Total: ~$82k

With multiple sites active, funding supports expanded steward roles, shared coordination, regular community meals, and early market participation. Labor is distributed more evenly, and responsibility begins to shift from informal effort to paid, reliable care.

Year 3 — Locking in Culture

Total: ~$117k

By Year 3, Rootwork Commons no longer depends on any single person. Experienced stewards train new ones, norms are held collectively, and the work can weather disruption without collapsing.

As Rootwork Commons grows, additional sites, stewards, and shared infrastructure become possible. Later phases focus on training new stewards, strengthening market participation, and building long-term capacity — guided by what works on the ground.

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