Groundwork

What Groundwork does

Groundwork is a place-based environmental education nonprofit, founded in 2018 and operated as a federally recognized 501(c)(3) (EIN #82-4526989) from a Western Colorado Farm Campus at 15589 Black Bridge Rd in Paonia, Colorado, with a small team of approximately five staff. The organization frames environmental problems as "problems of the imagination" and offers education intended to shift cultural paradigms around land, food, and water rather than delivering purely technical or policy solutions.

Its portfolio comprises five core programmatic lines plus a publications and product business. Core programs include the 8-month residential Food Systems Fellowship (March–November, ~5 fellows annually, work-trade model), the Firestarters youth mentorship program for boys ages 9–16 (after-school sessions, summer adventure camps, rite-of-passage backpacking), multi-day Human & Natural Ecologies field courses, the Folk School of land-based craft classes (willow and pine-needle basketry, natural dyes, hide tanning, fiber arts), and a catalog of classroom workshops including the "Falling In Love With The Future" positive-futurism workshop. Publications include the five-volume Bite-Sized Books series (6,000+ copies distributed since 2019), the Plants and Place podcast, and The Winnowing Tray quarterly newsletter.

The business model mixes earned revenue with philanthropic support. Earned streams include workshop and class registrations priced on a five-tier sliding scale (Tier 1 community-supported through Tier 5 sharing abundance, typically $25–$700 per offering), a CSA program capped at 30 member spots at $100–$800 per season, fermented hot sauces and piñon salve sold at farmers markets and online, and seed sales (approximately 150 varieties) distributed via High Desert Seed. Operating funding is supplemented by donations and grants from named institutional supporters including 1% for the Planet, the VELA Education Fund, the Kampe Foundation, the Wolcott Family Foundation, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Distribution is regional (Colorado plus Lander, Wyoming) and combines direct website registration, host-venue partnerships, farmers market sales, and partner-mediated seed distribution.

Name

Groundwork

Legal name

Groundwork

Website

https://layinggroundwork.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Groundwork is a Paonia, Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers place-based environmental education through an 8-month farm fellowship, youth mentorship, land-based craft classes, and field courses, supported by sliding-scale program fees, a small CSA, farm product sales, and foundation grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education

NAICS

Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outdoor & Survival Skills Lessons (Bushcraft, Navigation, Foraging) (THAJAKAM), Sustainability Engagement, Training & Behavior Change Programs (On-site) (BPABALAK), DIY & Home Skills Workshops (Woodworking, Carpentry, Home Repair, Gardening) (THAJAKAI)

Keywords

• Environmental education
• Place-based learning
• Land-based crafts
• Food systems training
• Youth nature mentorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Paonia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Program Registrations: Fees from workshops, field courses, folk school classes, and classroom workshops. Programs include 1-day workshops ($25-$45 sliding scale), half-day craft classes ($60-$111), full-day workshops ($120-$228), multi-day field courses, and summer camps ($400-$700).
2. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): CSA program with 30 member spots available. Spring (4 boxes) $100, Summer (22 boxes) $550, Fall (6 boxes) $150. Full season options range from $650-$800. Bi-monthly options available at reduced rates.
3. Farm Products Sales: Direct sales of farm products including fermented hot sauces ($10), piñon salve ($10-$18), and vegetables at farmers markets.
4. Donations and Grants: Groundwork relies on donations to supplement program income and support access/equity initiatives. The organization is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity (EIN #82-4526989). Comparable fellowship programs charge over $12,000; Groundwork offers theirs with a small stipend for participants.
5. Seed Sales: Groundwork grows approximately 150 varieties of vegetables, flowers, beans, and grains for seeds. Seeds are sold through Colorado seed companies including High Desert Seed in Paonia.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Groundwork is a place-based environmental education nonprofit that delivers immersive learning experiences centered on relationships with land, food, and water. Its offerings span an 8-month residential Food Systems Fellowship, youth mentorship through Firestarters, multi-day field ecology camps, a Folk School for traditional land-based crafts, classroom workshops including positive-futurism sessions, and free educational publications (Bite-Sized Books and podcasts). It also operates a CSA farm subscription and sells farm products such as fermented hot sauces and piñon salve.

Product overview

Groundwork is a place-based environmental education organization offering a portfolio of programs, publications, and farm products. Core programs include the 8-month Food Systems Fellowship (residential farm-based training), Firestarters youth mentorship (ages 9-16), Human & Natural Ecologies field courses, and the Folk School with basketry/craft classes. The organization publishes Bite-Sized Books educational materials and produces the Plants and Place podcast. Farm operations include a CSA subscription program and value-added products (hot sauces, piñon salve). Educational workshops include the 'Falling In Love With The Future' positive futurism workshop. All offerings center on cultivating relationships with land, food, water, and cultural shift toward sustainability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Food Systems Fellowship: An 8-month immersive program where fellows live on the farm campus in Paonia, Colorado, learning farming skills, seed saving, and sustainable food systems practices.
• Folk School
• Firestarters
• The Winnowing Tray
• Bite-Sized Books
• Plants and Place Podcast

Products and services

• Food Systems Fellowship An 8-month residential program (March-November) where fellows live on Groundwork's Western Colorado farm campus, practicing organic farming skills, seed saving, and exploring life beyond industrial-capitalist culture through seminars and traditional land-based practices. Offered on a work-trade basis with all meals, housing, communal car use, and educational opportunities provided in exchange for farm work.
• Firestarters Youth Mentorship Program A nature-based mentorship program for boys ages 9-16 combining mentorship, nature immersion, and hands-on skills through after-school sessions and summer programs including adventure camps and rite-of-passage backpacking trips.
• Human & Natural Ecologies of Colorado Field Courses Multi-day field ecology immersion camps (3-7 days) in Western Colorado's mountain ecosystems, focusing on plant identification, traditional wild food systems, foraging, and ecological knowledge for adults.
• Folk School Land-Based Craft Classes Land-based craft education including willow basketry, pine needle basketry, textile weaving and dyeing, natural dyes, and hide tanning classes taught at various Colorado locations including Boulder, Carbondale, Longmont, and Paonia.
• Falling In Love With The Future Workshop A day-long experiential workshop (9:30am-4pm) that uses a time-travel concept to take participants into a near future (2032) where humanity has addressed climate change, designed to build collective imagination and vision for sustainable futures. Available as a classroom workshop that can be brought to any community.
• Groundwork CSA Subscription Community Supported Agriculture subscription providing weekly produce boxes (8-10 items) from the farm, with spring (4 boxes, $100), summer (22 boxes, $550), fall (6 boxes, $150), and full-season ($800) options. 30 member spots available; pickup Tuesdays at Old River Road Trading Post, Paonia, Colorado.
• Piñon Salve Hand salve made from wild-harvested piñon pitch, apricot kernel oil, Senegalese shea butter, and local beeswax, formulated for alkaline soil-damaged hands.
• Basil Tomatillo Fermented Hot Sauce Fermented hot sauce made from tomatillo, Thai giant chilis, and fresh basil grown on the educational farm.
• Fermented Huacatay Hot Sauce Fermented hot sauce featuring Peruvian huacatay leaf with Thai chilis, offering a unique floral, minty flavor.
• Bite-Sized Books Easily-digestible educational booklets (5 volumes) on climate change, culture, consumption, divestment, and thinking tools, available in PDF, MOBI, ePUB formats and printed copies. Over 6,000 copies distributed since 2019.
• Plants and Place Podcast A 4-episode podcast exploring the relationships between place, culture, and plants, recorded live at Groundwork's farm in Paonia, Colorado in summer 2022. Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• Curriculum Resources Environmental readers and educational materials including volumes on human relationships with nature, Buddhist studies reader, international service learning reader, and wilderness readings for educators.
• The Winnowing Tray Newsletter Quarterly long-form email newsletter featuring essays and resources on culture and environment, published around solstices and equinoxes.
• Classroom Workshops Educational workshops on climate, cultural shift, food systems, water policy, and land management that can be delivered in any classroom space. Topics include Seed School, Everybody Eats The Colorado River, and Climate & Culture.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 6,000 copies of Bite-Sized Books distributed since 2019
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Colorado Department of AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColorado state agency supporting agriculture. Listed as a sponsor of Groundwork's programs, providing recognition and potential funding for agricultural education initiatives.
• 1% for the PlanetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental giving network. Groundwork is listed as an Environmental Partner, allowing individual members to direct 1% of their sales or donations to Groundwork.
• The Learning CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Paonia educational organization. Partnership includes hosting 'Falling In Love With The Future' workshops at their location and annual food delivery coordination to Ute Mountain Ute reservation.
• Where There Be DragonsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExperiential education organization focused on cultural immersion programs. Listed as a partner organization.
• EcoversitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of educational institutions working to transform higher education for ecological and cultural renewal. Groundwork is affiliated with this network.
• Rocky Mountain Farmers UnionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural cooperative organization supporting family farmers in Colorado. Partner organization supporting Groundwork's food systems work.
• VOGA PaoniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Paonia organization. Listed as a partner organization.
• Uproot ColoradominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood gleaning organization that harvested 125 pounds of produce from Groundwork's fields to distribute to local food pantries and Ute Mountain Ute reservation.
• High Desert SeedminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorColorado seed company based in Paonia that sells Groundwork's seed varieties (approximately 150 varieties of vegetables, flowers, beans, and grains).
• Greenhouse MegastoreminorOthersDonated greenhouse equipment to support Groundwork's farm operations.
• Paonia Soil CominorOthersLocal soil company that donated products for Groundwork's farm.
• Colorado Cylinder StovesminorOthersColorado company that donated heating equipment for Groundwork's farm facilities.
• Easy DiggingminorOthersCompany that donated digging/gardening tools for Groundwork's farm operations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Center for Whole Communities: Vermont-based nonprofit offering place-based programs that connect land conservation, community, and meaningful living. Strongly aligned with Groundwork's values-driven approach to land-based education and cultural shift work.
• Wilderness Awareness School: Washington-state based nature education school founded in 1983, offering nature-based mentoring, primitive skills, and wilderness programs. Directly comparable in its focus on traditional land-based crafts, tracking, foraging, and intergenerational nature connection programming.
• Where There Be Dragons: Boulder-based experiential education organization offering cross-cultural immersion and wilderness programs for youth and young adults. Already listed as a Groundwork partner; shares the experiential, place-based education model and similar age cohort focus.
• Hawthorne Valley Farm: New York-based nonprofit operating a biodynamic farm with on-farm education programs, school, and apprenticeships. Directly comparable model combining farm operations, residential learning, and place-based curriculum around sustainable food systems and traditional crafts.
• Lost Valley Educational Center: Oregon-based intentional community and educational center focused on sustainability, consensus, and ecological lifeways. Comparable to Groundwork's residential fellowship model and its mission of teaching alternatives to industrial culture through lived experience.

Broad incumbents

• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): Premier outdoor leadership school offering wilderness courses across the US and globally. Comparable in field-based, experiential pedagogy and outdoor skill-building, though focused on leadership and technical skills rather than cultural shift or land stewardship.
• Outward Bound: Large, established wilderness education provider operating expeditions nationwide and internationally. Overlaps with Groundwork in outdoor/adventure education and rite-of-passage programming for youth, but operates at much larger scale and broader geographic footprint.

Others

• Quivira Coalition: New Mexico-based nonprofit promoting regenerative agriculture through education, apprenticeship, and land stewardship. Directly comparable to Groundwork's food systems and traditional land-based practices mission, though focused on ranching-scale regenerative work.
• Ecoversities: Global network of educational institutions working to transform learning for ecological and cultural renewal, of which Groundwork is an affiliate member. Operates as a peer network rather than a competitor, enabling referral and visibility within the alternative education ecosystem.

Regional players

• Walking Mountains Science Center: Colorado-based (Vail Valley) environmental education nonprofit offering science-based naturalists programs, summer camps, and school programs. Operates in overlapping Colorado geography with a more science-curriculum orientation versus Groundwork's cultural and traditional-crafts focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/groundwork.ngo
• Instagraminstagram.com/groundwork_org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/groundwork-org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Groundwork