Shaome Cooperative: Cultivating Food Security and Community Resilience in Georgia
Imagine fresh food being available to everyone just by walking into your own yard, down the street, or into a public
Food Forest.
Rooted in the belief that everyone deserves the ability to cultivate their own sustenance, Shaome Cooperative aims to make Georgia the first food-secure state by providing education and support to every community.
From Vision to Reality
The inception of Shaome (pronounced “show me”) Cooperative was driven by Chelsea McClain and a group of like-minded individuals who recognized the pressing need for sustainable food security solutions. Inspired by their twist on an old proverb about teaching people to fish, they believe that if you "Give someone a meal, you feed them for a day. But if you teach them to garden, you feed them for life.”
The concept for Shaome Cooperative comes from the Together We Grow film about the Comm on Unity Project in New Zealand. ( Please forgive any UTube commercial )
Shaome Cooperative is a community of people, schools, and organizations who desire to give, teach, and equip others to learn, grow, and share.
Imagine fresh food being available to everyone just by walking into your own yard, down the street, or into a public
Food Forest.
Rooted in the belief that everyone deserves the ability to cultivate their own sustenance, Shaome Cooperative aims to make Georgia the first food-secure state by providing education and support to every community.
From Vision to Reality
The inception of Shaome (pronounced “show me”) Cooperative was driven by Chelsea McClain and a group of like-minded individuals who recognized the pressing need for sustainable food security solutions. Inspired by their twist on an old proverb about teaching people to fish, they believe that if you "Give someone a meal, you feed them for a day. But if you teach them to garden, you feed them for life.”
The concept for Shaome Cooperative comes from the Together We Grow film about the Comm on Unity Project in New Zealand. ( Please forgive any UTube commercial )
Shaome Cooperative is a community of people, schools, and organizations who desire to give, teach, and equip others to learn, grow, and share.
The Food Forest Concept
The only truly sustainable way to grow food is in a Food Forest, because once it’s established, you can just walk away from it and it will continue to produce food. You don’t have to water it, you don’t have to prune it, you don’t have to add to it. It will do all of these things itself.
The Food Forest mimics nature in that there is a central element, which is a fruit or nut tree, and up to seven layers underneath and around it that create a symbiotic ecosystem. These layers include an overstory tree layer, an understory tree layer, a shrub layer, a herbaceous layer, a root layer, a ground cover layer, and a vine layer. The varieties of trees and plants that are “best” for a Food Forest differ between hardiness zones and even yard-to-yard, based on the ecosystem in the soil of the exact location.
We envision Food Forests everywhere…along urban public streets, meandering beside rivers, in vacant lots owned privately or by a city, in people’s yards, in prison yards, and behind schools, churches, homeless shelters, and more. Food Deserts can literally be solved with Food Forests. Where do you see a Food Forest fitting in nicely?
The only truly sustainable way to grow food is in a Food Forest, because once it’s established, you can just walk away from it and it will continue to produce food. You don’t have to water it, you don’t have to prune it, you don’t have to add to it. It will do all of these things itself.
The Food Forest mimics nature in that there is a central element, which is a fruit or nut tree, and up to seven layers underneath and around it that create a symbiotic ecosystem. These layers include an overstory tree layer, an understory tree layer, a shrub layer, a herbaceous layer, a root layer, a ground cover layer, and a vine layer. The varieties of trees and plants that are “best” for a Food Forest differ between hardiness zones and even yard-to-yard, based on the ecosystem in the soil of the exact location.
We envision Food Forests everywhere…along urban public streets, meandering beside rivers, in vacant lots owned privately or by a city, in people’s yards, in prison yards, and behind schools, churches, homeless shelters, and more. Food Deserts can literally be solved with Food Forests. Where do you see a Food Forest fitting in nicely?
Expanding Gardening Programs and Education
Shaome Cooperative’s primary objectives include expanding the reach of its food growing programs in schools, providing adult education on sustainable growing practices, increasing the number of “backyard” food forests in people’s homes, churches, open lots, and other locations, and distributing extra harvest to those who cannot grow their own. By collaborating with local schools, churches, community centers, and other nonprofits, Shaome aims to create a network of gardens that provide fresh produce to their communities and serve as educational hubs for children and adults. These gardens are not only sources of nourishment but also spaces for learning and community building.
Shaome Cooperative’s primary objectives include expanding the reach of its food growing programs in schools, providing adult education on sustainable growing practices, increasing the number of “backyard” food forests in people’s homes, churches, open lots, and other locations, and distributing extra harvest to those who cannot grow their own. By collaborating with local schools, churches, community centers, and other nonprofits, Shaome aims to create a network of gardens that provide fresh produce to their communities and serve as educational hubs for children and adults. These gardens are not only sources of nourishment but also spaces for learning and community building.
Addressing Food Waste and Distribution
In addition to its gardening initiatives, Shaome Cooperative is committed to addressing food waste and distribution. Through partnerships with local farmers and food distributors, the cooperative collects surplus produce and distributes it to families in need. This dual approach ensures that more people have access to nutritious food while reducing overall food waste.
Innovative Future Projects
Looking ahead, Shaome Cooperative plans to launch several new projects, including Macon’s first public food forest and cooking classes for the families of the children in their school education programs. These initiatives are designed to reach even more communities, providing them with the tools and knowledge to cultivate their own gardens. The cooperative's steadfast commitment to sustainability, community, and education continues to sow the seeds of change, one garden at a time.
In addition to its gardening initiatives, Shaome Cooperative is committed to addressing food waste and distribution. Through partnerships with local farmers and food distributors, the cooperative collects surplus produce and distributes it to families in need. This dual approach ensures that more people have access to nutritious food while reducing overall food waste.
Innovative Future Projects
Looking ahead, Shaome Cooperative plans to launch several new projects, including Macon’s first public food forest and cooking classes for the families of the children in their school education programs. These initiatives are designed to reach even more communities, providing them with the tools and knowledge to cultivate their own gardens. The cooperative's steadfast commitment to sustainability, community, and education continues to sow the seeds of change, one garden at a time.
Our Roots: The 'Why' Behind Shaome
Shaome’s ‘why’ is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves the ability to grow their own food. We are committed to making Georgia the first food-secure state by literally putting seeds in the ground and providing the education and support needed to nurture those seeds into abundant harvests now and for generations to come. By empowering individuals to cultivate their own sustenance, we build a stronger, more sustainable future for all Georgians.
Get Involved and Support Shaome Cooperative
Learn More: Discover our mission, vision, and core values. Stay connected with our events, activities, and education by exploring our website at shaome.com Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with what we are doing. Newsletters come out every Sunday morning!
Shaome’s ‘why’ is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves the ability to grow their own food. We are committed to making Georgia the first food-secure state by literally putting seeds in the ground and providing the education and support needed to nurture those seeds into abundant harvests now and for generations to come. By empowering individuals to cultivate their own sustenance, we build a stronger, more sustainable future for all Georgians.
Get Involved and Support Shaome Cooperative
Learn More: Discover our mission, vision, and core values. Stay connected with our events, activities, and education by exploring our website at shaome.com Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with what we are doing. Newsletters come out every Sunday morning!
article by Chelsea McClain, Visionary President and CEO of Shaome
Shaome is a nonprofit dedicated to fostering food security across Georgia through innovative "backyard" food forests and edible gardens. Under her leadership, Shaome Cooperative has made significant strides in promoting sustainable agriculture, enhancing community resilience, and empowering marginalized populations.
Shaome's underlying tenet is: "Give someone a meal, feed them for a day. Teach someone to garden, feed them for life."
Shaome is a nonprofit dedicated to fostering food security across Georgia through innovative "backyard" food forests and edible gardens. Under her leadership, Shaome Cooperative has made significant strides in promoting sustainable agriculture, enhancing community resilience, and empowering marginalized populations.
Shaome's underlying tenet is: "Give someone a meal, feed them for a day. Teach someone to garden, feed them for life."