On your mark. Get set… Go!

I started this project in December 2019, determined to build a house that is both green and affordable. I named it "Parish House Inc" and put research, intellectual property and $95,000 into it. Then I hired Goldburd MCone LLP to form the company and obtain our 501(c)(3) status.  I also started this Patreon page and an Instagram account for the project.  That was it for 2019.

In 2020 I went to conferences to learn about innovative green construction and traveled to different locations searching for land to purchase. Then COVID-19 hit us for six. It took me a few months to pivot to virtual, but I did find a great deal on two parcels in Connecticut.  I had to do a ton of research to find out the status of utility connections, zoning restrictions, and title history.  It really was a great find.  Next, I invited two awesome people to join the board - Matthew James and Tina Larsson.  They authorized the purchase of the land in December 2020.

I purchased two parcels in 2021 with the help of CT lawyers and realtors.  Fortunately, the price had been locked in since 2020, before the market boomed.  I also found architects and builders who love working with straw bale in CT - it took a long time to find them! We now have a proper survey of the land and are ready to finalize the blue prints. Today, I set up the Discord (https://discord.gg/rrUMCHCKGz) and our Patreon site to collect donations (https://www.patreon.com/GreenParishHouse).  

I dedicate five to ten hours a week to research, communication and paperwork to advance the project.  I probably spend even more time daydreaming about the possibilities. It's taken us two years to get to this point. I'm going to push  hard for a groundbreaking in Spring of 2022. 

Many hands make light work! I hope you'll consider coming to Derby, CT to help us raise the straw bale walls and plant the food forest.  It's going to be great.

In solidarity,

Tanya