Please make checks out to:
Groundwork
15589 Black Bridge Rd
Paonia, CO 81428

We are are excited to announce that we are creating a new self-paced online class: The Story of Willow—Harvesting, Tending, Processing, & Botany. To fund the creation of the class, we are offering pre-registrations, including discounts! Your donation of any amount $25 or above comes with pre-enrollment in the class, which we hope to launch this summer. As thanks for larger donations, we are offering gifts of handwoven willow baskets! What does this class on willow harvesting and tending cover?Since 2023, Groundwork's most popular offering has been our willow basket weaving classes. We often give a quick introduction to wild willow harvesting in classes, but that talk can quickly grow to over an hour and consume our weaving time. So, we've chosen to create this online class to help get people started harvesting and tending their local willow! The goal of our basketry program is to breathe life into basketry, moving it towards being a living craft, like knitting is in the U.S. One of the big barriers for weavers is sourcing materials—good basketry willows are not found, they are created by human tending in an ongoing relationship with the plants.  This 4-hour class is comprehensive, covering everything you need to tend, harvest, and process your own willow for basket weaving. Beyond the basics, the class goes in-depth into willow botany, land management and how human land use affects willow, relationships people have built with willows in various parts of the world, and so much more! We're excited for this class because it combines the basics to get you weaving with your own willow, and it also provides a doorway for you to build an understanding of the human and environmental factors that influence your local willow and ecosystem as a whole. Willow weaving is a relational practice, and this class is your chance to really get to know willow as a weaving material and a part of your ecosystem. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1739209431/svkodyagmh7fqna9wyya.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;max-width:100%;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit" /> Our class outline includes:  <ul><li style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:14px;box-sizing:inherit">Overview of Harvesting & Processing: Harvesting, sorting, drying, storing, soaking, mellowing,  testing for weaving, pro tips</li><li style="font-size:14px;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);box-sizing:inherit">Finding & Tending Willow: Willow growth habits, learning to read the history of management for any particular willow patch, riparian ecosystems and willow’s responses to disturbance, willow's rooting hormones, coppicing and encouraging shoot growth, seasonal harvest considerations, environmental factors affecting willow growth, managing stands of willow, working with landowners, attitudes toward willow</li><li style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);box-sizing:inherit;font-size:14px">Willow Biology & Botany: willow botany, willow’s adaptations to disturbance, willow's role in ecosystems, willow’s medicinal properties, different species of willow, cultivated varieties vs wild willow, willow relatives, willow in the West—dams, irrigation, and beavers</li><li style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);box-sizing:inherit;font-size:14px">Stripping Willow Bark: differences between brown (bark-on) and white (bark-off) willows for weaving, when to pick, how to store, how to strip skin, weaving considerations</li><li style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);box-sizing:inherit;font-size:14px">Harvesting Other Weaving Materials: Plants in the willow family (cottonwoods & red osier dogwood), sumac, soft-fiber plants (dogbane, milkweed, nettle), </li><li style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);box-sizing:inherit;font-size:14px">Propagating Willow: Taking cuttings, planting considerations, care and tending, willow varieties</li><li style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);box-sizing:inherit;font-size:14px">Purchasing Basketry Willow: Purchasing considerations, reputable sellers</li></ul> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1739209247/lxl3igxhuwt9ztlfnaqa.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;max-width:100%;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit" /> Who are the teachers?The class will have 3 teachers taking on different units: Jenna Bradford is Groundwork's folk school director and a one of Groundwork's basketry teachers. Outside of work with the folk school, Jenna runs a holistic homeschool program for middle school students focusing on crafts and relationships with nature. Kelly Moody is a botanist, ecologist, and incredible teacher about all things concerning the natural world. Kelly is the creator of the <a href="https://www.ofsedgeandsalt.com/ground-shots-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color:initial;user-select:auto;box-sizing:inherit" target="_blank">Ground Shots Podcast</a> focusing on recreating people's relationships with the land and plants where we live. She teaches human ecology courses for Groundwork, as well as a wide range of traditional crafts and skills.  Jeff Wagner is the founder and co-director of Groundwork and one of our willow basketry teachers. Jeff has studied various kinds of weaving since 2017 and has worked as an environmental educator in the American West focusing on watersheds and human/landscape relationships. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1739208761/ixwtvjzk8agnfzexdvla.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;max-width:100%;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit" /> What is the class format?The class is self-paced and takes the form of videos interspersed with personal explorations of the plants of your area and other assignments. Each unit will be a multimedia lecture, with the teacher explaining topics to you with visual aids: videos, photos, charts, etc. There will be minimal reading—the content is delivered in video form. Interactive activities will include exploring the plants in your area, studying human disturbance and how it affects the ecosystem, and writing about your relationship with plants. We are offering gifts of willow baskets for our larger donors!As thanks for your donation, we are offering the following gifts as part of our fundraising effort. We are offering discounted pre-registrations to make our classes affordable to more people. And for people who want to support the project in a bigger way, we have beautiful willow baskets as thank-you gifts! Our fundraising goal is $3,000 for this project, which will help cover costs for course design, filming, editing, and publication. Thank you for your support and generosity in making this class come to life! Groundwork is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and all donations are tax deductible. As a thank your for your donation, we are offering: <ul><li style="text-align:left;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);box-sizing:inherit">$25 — Discounted pre-registration for The Story of Willow class.</li><li style="text-align:left;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);box-sizing:inherit">$45 — Full-price pre-registration for The Story of Willow class.</li><li style="text-align:left;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);box-sizing:inherit">$200 — Tatza (flower-shaped Polish bread basket) plus pre-registration for The Story of Willow class.</li><li style="text-align:left;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);box-sizing:inherit">$350 — Round harvest basket plus pre-registration for The Story of Willow class.</li><li style="text-align:left;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);box-sizing:inherit">$750 — Beautiful and functional willow backpack basket plus pre-registration for The Story of Willow class.</li></ul> As thanks for a $200 donation, you will receive a willow Tatza, a traditional star/flower-shaped Polish bread basket! Woven by Jenna Bradford. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1739202772/z9fqedzd2tsoeazrlqef.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;max-width:100%;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit" /> As thanks for a $350 donation, you will receive a round harvest basket with a handle! Woven by Jeff Wagner or Jenna Bradford. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1739206611/jagz514ktcijjgqxqyw7.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;max-width:100%;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit" /> As thanks for a $750 donation, you will receive an incredible backpack basket with straps! Woven by Jenna Bradford. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1739202504/u6cxqysyusaxtzohckpv.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;max-width:100%;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit" />

Dear <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style style="background-color:rgb(248, 248, 255);border:1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255);border-radius:4px;color:rgb(42, 42, 196);padding:1px 8px;font-size:11px;display:inline-block;margin:0px;overflow-wrap:anywhere;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit">First name, Thank you for your support for our upcoming online class: The Story of Willow. With your donation, you are pre-registered for the class when it's ready (we're aiming for summer of this year).  Our goal with our basketry program is to help willow basketry to be a living tradition in the United States, just like knitting. Sourcing materials is a big barrier for many would-be weavers, and your support is helping us educate the public about how they can engage in a relationship with willow: a wonderful plant friend and weaving material. We'll be following up with you as we complete development for the class, and we hope to be able to have you take the class by summer 2025! If you contributed an amount that included a basket, we'll be reaching out to you shortly with details.  Jeff Wagner Co-Director of Groundwork

Hello First name,
 
 Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for registering to fundraise for our cause. Your efforts will make a significant impact, and we are excited to have you as part of our fundraising team. 👏
 
 💡 Here are some tips for sharing your campaign:
 <ol>
 <li>Personalize Your Story: Share why this cause is important to you. Personal stories resonate more with potential donors.</li>
 <li>Use Social Media: Post about your campaign on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. Include the campaign link and a compelling image or video.</li>
 <li>Email Your Network: Send a personal email to friends, family, and colleagues explaining why you are fundraising and how they can help.</li>
 <li>Regular Updates: Keep your supporters informed with updates on your progress and any milestones you reach. This keeps them engaged and more likely to share your campaign.</li>
 </ol>
 Jeff Wagner info@layinggroundwork.org

We are are excited to announce that we are creating a new self-paced online class: The Story of Willow—Harvesting, Tending, Processing, &amp; Botany. To fund the creation of the class, we are offering pre-registrations, including discounts! Your donation of any amount $25 or above comes with pre-enrollment in the class, which we hope to launch this summer. As thanks for larger donations, we are offering gifts of handwoven willow baskets! What does this class on willow harvesting and tending cover?Since 2023, Groundwork's most popular offering has been our willow basket weaving classes. We often give a quick introduction to wild willow harvesting in classes, but that talk can quickly grow to over an hour and consume our weaving time. So, we've chosen to create this online class to help get people started harvesting and tending their local willow! The goal of our basketry program is to breathe life into basketry, moving it towards being a living craft, like knitting is in the U.S. One of the big barriers for weavers is sourcing materials—good basketry willows are not found, they are created by human tending in an ongoing relationship with the plants.  This 4-hour class is comprehensive, covering everything you need to tend, harvest, and process your own willow for basket weaving. Beyond the basics, the class goes in-depth into willow botany, land management and how human land use affects willow, relationships people have built with willows in various parts of the world, and so much more! We're excited for this class because it combines the basics to get you weaving with your own willow, and it also provides a doorway for you to build an understanding of the human and environmental factors that influence your local willow and ecosystem as a whole. Willow weaving is a relational practice, and this class is your chance to really get to know willow as a weaving material and a part of your ecosystem. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1739209431/svkodyagmh7fqna9wyya.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /> Our class outline includes:  <ul><li>Overview of Harvesting &amp; Processing: Harvesting, sorting, drying, storing, soaking, mellowing,  testing for weaving, pro tips</li><li>Finding &amp; Tending Willow: Willow growth habits, learning to read the history of management for any particular willow patch, riparian ecosystems and willow’s responses to disturbance, willow's rooting hormones, coppicing and encouraging shoot growth, seasonal harvest considerations, environmental factors affecting willow growth, managing stands of willow, working with landowners, attitudes toward willow</li><li>Willow Biology &amp; Botany: willow botany, willow’s adaptations to disturbance, willow's role in ecosystems, willow’s medicinal properties, different species of willow, cultivated varieties vs wild willow, willow relatives, willow in the West—dams, irrigation, and beavers</li><li>Stripping Willow Bark: differences between brown (bark-on) and white (bark-off) willows for weaving, when to pick, how to store, how to strip skin, weaving considerations</li><li>Harvesting Other Weaving Materials: Plants in the willow family (cottonwoods &amp; red osier dogwood), sumac, soft-fiber plants (dogbane, milkweed, nettle), </li><li>Propagating Willow: Taking cuttings, planting considerations, care and tending, willow varieties</li><li>Purchasing Basketry Willow: Purchasing considerations, reputable sellers</li></ul> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1739209247/lxl3igxhuwt9ztlfnaqa.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /> Who are the teachers?The class will have 3 teachers taking on different units: Jenna Bradford is Groundwork's folk school director and a one of Groundwork's basketry teachers. Outside of work with the folk school, Jenna runs a holistic homeschool program for middle school students focusing on crafts and relationships with nature. Kelly Moody is a botanist, ecologist, and incredible teacher about all things concerning the natural world. Kelly is the creator of the <a href="https://www.ofsedgeandsalt.com/ground-shots-podcast" target="_blank">Ground Shots Podcast</a> focusing on recreating people's relationships with the land and plants where we live. She teaches human ecology courses for Groundwork, as well as a wide range of traditional crafts and skills.  Jeff Wagner is the founder and co-director of Groundwork and one of our willow basketry teachers. Jeff has studied various kinds of weaving since 2017 and has worked as an environmental educator in the American West focusing on watersheds and human/landscape relationships. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1739208761/ixwtvjzk8agnfzexdvla.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /> What is the class format?The class is self-paced and takes the form of videos interspersed with personal explorations of the plants of your area and other assignments. Each unit will be a multimedia lecture, with the teacher explaining topics to you with visual aids: videos, photos, charts, etc. There will be minimal reading—the content is delivered in video form. Interactive activities will include exploring the plants in your area, studying human disturbance and how it affects the ecosystem, and writing about your relationship with plants. We are offering gifts of willow baskets for our larger donors!As thanks for your donation, we are offering the following gifts as part of our fundraising effort. We are offering discounted pre-registrations to make our classes affordable to more people. And for people who want to support the project in a bigger way, we have beautiful willow baskets as thank-you gifts! Our fundraising goal is $3,000 for this project, which will help cover costs for course design, filming, editing, and publication. Thank you for your support and generosity in making this class come to life! Groundwork is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and all donations are tax deductible. As a thank your for your donation, we are offering: <ul><li>$25 — Discounted pre-registration for The Story of Willow class.</li><li>$45 — Full-price pre-registration for The Story of Willow class.</li><li>$200 — Tatza (flower-shaped Polish bread basket) plus pre-registration for The Story of Willow class.</li><li>$350 — Round harvest basket plus pre-registration for The Story of Willow class.</li><li>$750 — Beautiful and functional willow backpack basket plus pre-registration for The Story of Willow class.</li></ul> As thanks for a $200 donation, you will receive a willow Tatza, a traditional star/flower-shaped Polish bread basket! Woven by Jenna Bradford. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1739202772/z9fqedzd2tsoeazrlqef.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /> As thanks for a $350 donation, you will receive a round harvest basket with a handle! Woven by Jeff Wagner or Jenna Bradford. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1739206611/jagz514ktcijjgqxqyw7.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /> As thanks for a $750 donation, you will receive an incredible backpack basket with straps! Woven by Jenna Bradford. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1739202504/u6cxqysyusaxtzohckpv.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" />

Pre-Register & Help Fund Our New Online Class: The Story of Willow—Harvesting, Tending, Processing, & Botany

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Groundwork

### Context Profile for Groundwork

1. **Organization Mission & Cause**:
   - **Mission**: Groundwork is dedicated to fostering a deeper relationship between people and the natural world through hands-on learning experiences. Their focus is on traditional crafts, particularly basket weaving, and the sustainable management of natural resources.
   - **Cause**: They aim to educate individuals on the importance of ecological stewardship, emphasizing the relationship between humans and the environment, particularly through the lens of willow basketry.

2. **Type of Activities**:
   - **Educational Programs**: Groundwork offers various classes, including the popular willow basket weaving workshops and the new online class titled "The Story of Willow—Harvesting, Tending, Processing, & Botany."
   - **Community Engagement**: They engage the community through hands-on activities that promote ecological awareness and craft skills.
   - **Fundraising Campaigns**: The organization runs fundraising initiatives to support their educational programs, such as offering pre-registration for classes in exchange for donations.

3. **Tone of Voice**:
   - The tone of Groundwork's communications is **friendly**, **informative**, and **inspiring**. They use approachable language that invites participation and emphasizes community and connection with nature.
   - The content is detailed yet accessible, aiming to educate while also encouraging a sense of belonging and stewardship.

4. **Emoji Usage**:
   - Groundwork does not prominently use emojis in their communications. The tone remains professional and focused on the content rather than informal elements like emojis.

5. **Key Facts**:
   - **Founding Info**: Groundwork is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, indicating its commitment to charitable purposes.
   - **Impact Metrics**: While specific metrics are not detailed on the website, the organization emphasizes the importance of community engagement and education in ecological practices.
   - **Volunteer Info**: There is no specific volunteer information provided on the website, but the community-oriented nature of their programs suggests opportunities for involvement.

6. **Writing Guidelines**:
   - **Style**: Use a conversational yet informative style that encourages engagement. Aim for clarity and accessibility in explaining complex ecological concepts.
   - **Structure**: Organize content with headings and bullet points for easy reading. Use visuals where appropriate to enhance understanding.
   - **Call to Action**: Include clear calls to action, inviting readers to participate in classes or support fundraising efforts.
   - **Gratitude**: Express appreciation for support and participation, reinforcing community values.

### Summary
Groundwork is a nonprofit focused on educating individuals about sustainable practices and traditional crafts, particularly through willow basketry. Their friendly and inspiring tone invites community engagement, while their structured and informative writing style facilitates understanding and participation. Future communications should maintain this approachable yet professional tone, emphasizing the importance of ecological stewardship and community involvement.

Groundwork

Pre-Register & Help Fund Our New Online Class: The Story of Willow—Harvesting, Tending, Processing, & Botany

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