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.

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Clear and prepare installation site

• Pre-assemble components where possible

• Finalize volunteer schedule and roles

• Complete safety and logistics planning

• 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

• Host 2-day build event with all participants

• Document entire process through photos, video, and notes

• Incorporate community celebration elements

• Complete functional coop structure

• Complete any remaining construction elements

• Install chickens and initial supplies

• Create care and maintenance protocols

• Finalize documentation for sharing

ItemQuantitySource StrategyLumber (2x4s)24 piecesHome Depot donationPlywood sheets4 sheetsHome Depot donationHardware cloth25 ft²Home Depot donationHinges & hardwareVariousHome Depot donationRoofing material32 ft²Upcycled/salvagedPaint/sealant2 gallonsCommunity donationNesting boxes3-4Upcycled containersFeeding/watering systems2 setsCommunity donation

ToolQuantitySource StrategyCircular saw1-2Community tool sharingDrills2-3Community tool sharingMeasuring toolsVariousCommunity tool sharingHammers4-6Community tool sharingWheelbarrow1Community tool sharingShovel/rake2-3Community tool sharing

RoleNumber NeededHours CommitmentSourceProject Coordinator140 hoursV-DAO memberDesign Lead115 hoursV-DAO or communityCorporate Liaison110 hoursV-DAO memberDocumentation Lead120 hoursV-DAO memberBuild Day Leaders2-316 hours eachV-DAO and communityGeneral Volunteers8-128 hours eachCommunity and corporate

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?"

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."

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Record volunteer hours by category

• Document material donations and sources

• Track skill sharing and knowledge contributions

• Register completed project specifications

• Egg production metrics

• Waste processing capacity

• Educational events hosted

• Skill development outcomes

• Community connections formed

• Tool sharing management

• Skill inventory development

• Material flow tracking

• Volunteer capacity matching

• Egg collection schedule

• Feeding and watering protocol

• Waste management system

• Basic health monitoring

• Deep cleaning procedure

• Maintenance checklist

• Production tracking

• Community education events

• System optimization assessment

• Expansion planning

• Knowledge sharing sessions

• Connection to other projects

• 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

• 15-20 direct build participants

• 50+ community members engaged through process

• 3-5 corporate relationships established

• 1 nonprofit partnership formalized

• Complete implementation guide

• Video documentation series

• Corporate engagement template

• Materials sourcing playbook

• Social media content reaching 1,000+ viewers

• Template for 5+ additional implementations

• Foundation for complementary projects

• Pathway to larger infrastructure development

• Automated garden irrigation system

• Rainwater collection infrastructure

• Upcycled community gathering space

• Food preservation workshop station

• Egg distribution network

• Compost sharing system

• Tool library expansion

• Skill exchange platform

• 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.

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.

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Clear and prepare installation site

• Pre-assemble components where possible

• Finalize volunteer schedule and roles

• Complete safety and logistics planning

• 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

• Host 2-day build event with all participants

• Document entire process through photos, video, and notes

• Incorporate community celebration elements

• Complete functional coop structure

• Complete any remaining construction elements

• Install chickens and initial supplies

• Create care and maintenance protocols

• Finalize documentation for sharing

ItemQuantitySource StrategyLumber (2x4s)24 piecesHome Depot donationPlywood sheets4 sheetsHome Depot donationHardware cloth25 ft²Home Depot donationHinges & hardwareVariousHome Depot donationRoofing material32 ft²Upcycled/salvagedPaint/sealant2 gallonsCommunity donationNesting boxes3-4Upcycled containersFeeding/watering systems2 setsCommunity donation

ToolQuantitySource StrategyCircular saw1-2Community tool sharingDrills2-3Community tool sharingMeasuring toolsVariousCommunity tool sharingHammers4-6Community tool sharingWheelbarrow1Community tool sharingShovel/rake2-3Community tool sharing

RoleNumber NeededHours CommitmentSourceProject Coordinator140 hoursV-DAO memberDesign Lead115 hoursV-DAO or communityCorporate Liaison110 hoursV-DAO memberDocumentation Lead120 hoursV-DAO memberBuild Day Leaders2-316 hours eachV-DAO and communityGeneral Volunteers8-128 hours eachCommunity and corporate

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?"

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."

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Record volunteer hours by category

• Document material donations and sources

• Track skill sharing and knowledge contributions

• Register completed project specifications

• Egg production metrics

• Waste processing capacity

• Educational events hosted

• Skill development outcomes

• Community connections formed

• Tool sharing management

• Skill inventory development

• Material flow tracking

• Volunteer capacity matching

• Egg collection schedule

• Feeding and watering protocol

• Waste management system

• Basic health monitoring

• Deep cleaning procedure

• Maintenance checklist

• Production tracking

• Community education events

• System optimization assessment

• Expansion planning

• Knowledge sharing sessions

• Connection to other projects

• 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

• 15-20 direct build participants

• 50+ community members engaged through process

• 3-5 corporate relationships established

• 1 nonprofit partnership formalized

• Complete implementation guide

• Video documentation series

• Corporate engagement template

• Materials sourcing playbook

• Social media content reaching 1,000+ viewers

• Template for 5+ additional implementations

• Foundation for complementary projects

• Pathway to larger infrastructure development

• Automated garden irrigation system

• Rainwater collection infrastructure

• Upcycled community gathering space

• Food preservation workshop station

• Egg distribution network

• Compost sharing system

• Tool library expansion

• Skill exchange platform

• 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.