Ancient Roots Cooperative is a regenerative development initiative in the Capital Region of New York. We rebuild the relationship between people, land, and community centered work.

We’re structured as three interconnected entities:

• Construction Cooperative — We build homes, restore ecosystems, retrofit existing structures, and train skilled-workers in labor work, gardening/landscaping, farming, and whatever other skills made be required

• Commons Trust — We take over the responsibility of land and protect it forever using consultation practices with our Indigenous/Original people of this land

• 501(c)(3) Nonprofit — We research, learn, and share knowledge openly through our living laboratory! Creating new inventions or solving easily solvable infrastructure problems

We’re not waiting for someone else to fix housing, jobs, and land loss. We’re doing it ourselves, as one Capital Region

BuildHomesThatLast

Using sustainable materials (rammed earth, cob, hemp-lime, pre-fabricated homes), we construct homes designed to last a lifetime. We want to make them affordable, ecologically sound, and permanently protected from speculation.

CreateJobsForLocals

We train local residents as skilled construction workers—equitable labor standards, real pathways to ownership and leadership.

ProtectLand

Our land trust strives to acquire land for generations to come, so that housing developments stay affordable and out of speculative hands. Land is stewarded with Indigenous consultation (when and if applicable) with rematriation principles at the center.

Grow Food & Restore Ecosystems

Every site would include some variation of (dense) food forests, water systems, renewable energy, and ecological restoration. We heal the land while building along side it.

Share Knowledge Freely

Everything we learn—building methods, governance tools, training curricula—is documented and released openly. We’re building a blueprint other communities can replicate.

Build Community Power

Residents make decisions about their neighborhoods. Not advisory boards. Real voting. Real governance. Real say.

These are just a few examples of who we would like to collaborate with:

Skilled trades people

We are seeking to engage with professionals who are able and willing to help us train more skilled trades people. If that’s you, reach out to us!

People seeking housing stability or skilled jobs

No prior experience needed. We train from day one.

Women, youth, returning citizens, immigrants, refugees

We intentionally build pathways for people historically excluded from construction and development.

Community organizations, nonprofits, schools

We partner with existing organizations rather than competing with them. If our values align, let’s work together!

Funders, impact investors, philanthropists

We estimate it will take 200 million (number still needs to go through peer review) to launch this initiative. We don’t accept funding that compromises our values or residents’ power. Be on the lookout for future details on how to invest monetarily!

Policy makers and government partners

We need help removing barriers: streamlining permits for natural materials, supporting land transfers, building policy frameworks for community land trusts. If you and/or someone you know would be a good fit to help us navigate this system, we would love to talk with you/them!