Shawn Hendrickson, Worker Owner

I’ve never been ok with “the system” as-is: the social, ecological and economic outcomes we seem stuck in by default. Is there a better way? And how on Earth would we get there from here? It has taken many years of exploration, re-thinking, urgency (anxiety) and labor to turn that sense of resistance into a productive, regenerative direction. It turns out it was right there in the dirt under my feet.

I’ve been engaged in composting efforts here in Denver since 2010, initially getting certified as a Master Composter (through D.U.G,) and teaching classes at community gardens. Then, while working on a Poli Sci degree, I started up a Metro State student group (Auraria Compost Group), which played a foundational role in instituting a large compost collection program at Auraria Campus in Denver. I also had stints working in both local and international contexts, wrestling with issues involving composting and food justice.

This set of experiences made clear to me that composting can be a real resource for our communities. We can redirect our waste stream to actually heal our environment and empower ourselves at the same time. Composting can range from the micro-scale, on up to the city or even statewide scale but community-scaled compost processing is the best way if our goal is ecological sustainability, environmental accountability, and maximizing the good we can do for our neighborhoods.

Thus, a small, neighborhood-based, worker-owned company is born…. Or at least in process. My approach is to start small, grow “organically” (ahh, puns), reach beyond comfort zones and work hands-on with others who are as interested in engaging with — and perhaps even co-owning — this community-driven enterprise.

Jimmy Bacon,Route Driver & Farm Partner

I have a lot of history with odd jobs but suffice to say I got through my young adulthood largely by living in & out of punk houses & libraries while studying the political sciences – spending over 10 years focusing on the racism, colonialism, and inequalities of our world before graduating with a degree.

And with the same threads of naïvete and conviction that I have today, I started my social activism & food justice efforts back in 2007 helping the homeless, building gardens, and exploring how I can contribute to the work of building a better world. I organized early on with Food Not Bombs, D.U.G., Woodbine Ecology Center, and Mo ‘Betta Greens Marketplace.

I spent a year directing a large Community Garden Program in Lincoln Nebraska where I got more exposure to regenerative farming & market gardening practices that inspired me to go deeper into farming. I have also worked during the past two years on campaigns for DA accountability with the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition.

I still read as many Self-Help books as I can – as well as always reading more on Racial Justice, Farming, and Botanical Medicine. I play the keys, bass, guitars, drums and I write & play songs when I can.  I enjoy making plant medicines, dancing, cooking, and riding bikes too.

I am currently establishing a 1/2 acre organic urban farm in Denver with DCC called Sweet Dirt.