This co-op was founded in 2005 by a group of ten residents who were interested in obtaining fresh poultry and eggs at cost.  By arrangement with the CSC, the co-op has raised and harvested 100-bird flocks of Rock Cornish roosters for meat, using home-made chicken tractors to graze the flocks.  The chickens were also fed a high protein organic grain blend from on-demand feeders.  We use rain catchments for water until it freezes, and then city water.  All feed and water are paid for by the co-op members by assessment.  The first year we harvested all 100 roosters ourselves in one day and distributed frozen meat at no additional cost.  But we decided that was too much work.  So the second year we carted the birds off to an organic processor and obtained frozen product that we sold for the processing cost. 

For the past two years, we have raised 30-bird flocks of Buff Orpington hens, fed high protein organic feed and vegetable kitchen scraps.  The birds also graze in a grove adjacent to the fixed-site coop.  The coop is the oldest standing building on the property, and was used for goats, ponies and other animals before the Co-op rehabbed it. 

For the 09-10 winter, we installed solar photovoltaic lighting to increase egg production during the shortened daylight hours; we also fitted the coop with commercial power to prevent the drinking water from freezing.  We are selling the eggs at cost (a little more than $3/dozen for feed, plus an additional assessment for power).  In April 2010 we added 8 RI Red hens and 4 roosters and culled the flock to remove two non-laying birds.

Two CSC members founded the Community Garden about 12 years ago. 
Two main garden working principles have remained constant since the beginning:

  • “work a little, take a little; work a lot, take a lot” and,
  • enjoy each other’s company as the work progresses

Gardeners gather annually to determine the garden objectives for that year, and arrange subsequent meetings, many on the garden site, to achieve that year’s purposes.  The only CSC demand is that the work follows the Land-Stewardship Vision. 
Produce from the garden has been appropriated for immediate individual or community meals, sold at Farmers Markets or local restaurants, donated to local charities, and canned, frozen or dehydrated for later consumption.  After some harvests, preservation-parties are called, and then frivolity as well as preserved-food fills a kitchen in the community. For 2011, the purpose of the garden is to test drive the plots for an eventual CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Read more...

Orchard History
Thirty-seven years ago, when Stelle was new, little sticks of apple trees were planted carefully in rows with very high hopes of abundance in the future. Love and attention was given to this plot of land, and the trees grew to bear good fruit. A few pears were added and then some peaches were tried. Over the years, much good work was done by a number of people.  Yet there were periods of neglect, when lives and commitments changed and people put their attention elsewhere. Meanwhile, the trees kept growing and producing, sometimes struggling.

For the past three years we have been working with the now mature group of giants (with a few new trees added recently). We had not done this before, so it is a learning experience. Some friends and neighbors noticed the activity and offered to help cut down dead trees, do some pruning and mow the orchard more regularly. Children became involved and formed the Junior Orchard Club. Together they helped prune and mulch some of the trees, which was a valuable experience for the young helpers. The Junior Orchard Club initiated the "Adopt-A-Tree" program to give an opportunity for donations to be used, specifically for improvements in the orchard.
Though it does not function as a co-op, the pond receives as much attention and care as other aspects of the CSC land. Covering one acre, our pond is great for taking out the canoe, fishing for bluegill, and even has its own shore side campsite. It is surrounded by many different varieties of trees, including locust, willow and various pines. Beavers have found sanctuary under the juniper on the northeast corner of the pond and have helped the ecosystem by plugging a hole in the bottom of the pond that was threatening to drain it. There are many cattails growing from the water, which supports the idea of sustainability, considering their stalks are edible.

Recently, we attached a pump to the pond to use water for irrigation on our garden. The water is pulled from the pond and stored in a 300 gallon tank on the hill and gravity is used for water pressure.  During the summer of 2009, CSC sponsored a very successful Pond Renovation Workshop. The workshop was taught by Bill Wilson, Bill Land and Rex Watters, who is a pond and lake expert from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. It is a nice secluded place to relax and enjoy the northern Illinois evenings and a great place to witness the local wonders of nature.
The Orchard Co-op
In the spring of 2009, a co-op was formed to re-create the area with healthy trees, healthy fruit and a park-like environment. The previous year, there was a bumper crop of very poor quality of fruit, so this year many of the trees rested. Half of the 115 trees were tackled by the co-op with some pruning and organic spraying. A community "Orchard Pruning Afternoon" was scheduled in March. More dead trees were cut down and used for firewood. Sadly, a peach tree died over the winter and another during the summer. We now have two left. The whole orchard was consistently mowed all summer and fall. This was for easy access and beauty, but most importantly, it was to deter growth of thistles, which had become prolific over time. As activity increased, more people have become participants in improving the land. A tradition of hosting elementary school tours where children experience the making of apple cider has developed in Stelle. They were able to witness and participate in the process, from seeing apples on the trees to squeezing the cider on the antique hand press. This is a demonstration of sustainability, and the children respond with joy as they drink cider before they leave on their bus. The letters and photos we receive from the classroom each year make this all worthwhile to us, who believe sustainability serves a better future.

Stelle Community Co-ops
The following Co-ops have been established in Stelle independent of the CSC. We applaud the
spirit of community exemplified by their existence.
Current CSC Cooperatives
Work Day Co-op

Recently five families decided to share their time and talents by working one day a month at each other's houses.  The morning of labor on tasks selected by the homeowner is followed by a meal furnished by the family benefiting from the work.  This kind of effort permits completion of larger tasks rapidly, and sometimes a specific job can require more person-power or talent than an individual homeowner may have available alone.  Equally important to finishing a job, gathering a group affords additional opportunities to participate in community fun and comradery.
Above, one of the heavily mulched trees the co-op is working on with many organic techniques.
Above left and below right, two early spring views of the trees showing some tagged for study.
Our antique cider press, stll making fresh juice..yummm!
A view of the pond from Pine Ridge
Buff Orrpingtons getting a drink from the on demand water system.
The Co-op's solar power cells, with battery box below.  We use this to maintain 16 hrs of articificial sunshine to keep birds laying in the winter.
Cattails and lily pads on a beautiful summer's day
UPDATE: January 25, 2011
In November, we augmented our severely depleted flock of Buff Orpingtons with 20 birds we purchased from Joann Dickman, a local, summer-egg producer.  We had good production through the first two weeks in December from these birds.  However, the extremely cold weather we  experienced since then has adversely impacted egg production from the new birds.  Finally, a couple of weeks ago, the Co-op decided to suspend egg production from the current flock and engage Stelle resident, Harry Carr of Mint Creek Farms, to determine his interest in purchasing our birds and supplying eggs until our new flock of Buffs is delivered in the spring.  Fortunately, Harry agreed to combine our birds with his organically-fed laying-hens, which are housed in a heated facility.  He will also trade us eggs for the $196 sale-price for our birds .  So, until spring, the Co-op is out of the animal care business, and into egg-delivery chores.
The Orchard
Chicken Co-op
Garden Co-op
The Pond
Co-operative ventures are favored by CSC because they inevitably build community.  Actually, developing and cultivating the mutual understandings associated with sustainable community (see CSC Vision pages) are even more important to us than the quality-of-life benefits that co-ops afford.  In addition, sharing resources eliminates waste, allowing us to make progress on our goal of living more gently on the earth.

Co-operatives evolve in CSC from grass-roots ideas, and are expected to follow the life cycles directed by the individuals involved.  As a result, co-ops change and can become inactive, depending upon community interest.  We believe it is essential that co-ops serve the participants even if that means a co-op ends.  All CSC co-ops are self-supporting, although CSC frequently assists by fronting some start-up costs.

We list the six active CSC Co-ops below, and you can consult the pages attached for thumb-nail descriptions of each.  Feel free to contact the CSC for more information about any or all the co-ops, or follow the progress of any for which a blog is available.

The tool co-op has collected power and hand tools which are housed in a centrally located garage in Stelle.  Local residents have an opportunity to join the co-op by making an annual contribution, which is used for the acquisition of new, member-selected tools and for tool maintenance and repair.  Co-op members have also invited non-member Stelle residents to borrow from the co-op at a nominal fee.  Some items available include: circular table-saw and table; tillers; a chain saw; a power-washer; several lawn mowers and weed whips; and some commonly-used hand-held tools and equipment.


Tool Co-op
About 30 of the 50+ families living in Stelle participate in a Monday evening co-op meal at the Stelle Community Center.  Member families post a menu and co-op members sign up so the cook knows how much to make. The Host/Cook for the day begins by introducing the fare, any guests who may be present, and announcing special occasions to be featured for the evening (e.g. birthdays, anniversaries, and seasonal celebrations).  Both vegetarian and meat entrées are provided, and the cooks use locally grown food whenever possible.  Dinner is $2.00 per person for rental of the kitchen/dining room and to compensate the cook for the cost of ingredients.
A sign proclaiming "We specialize in fast, friendly, efficient self-service" hangs over the kitchen sink.  You'd be amazed at how much fun washing dishes is when everyone pitches in. Tasty food (Stelle grows GREAT Chefs!), visiting with neighbors and serving together are some of the ways we sustain and develop our sense of community.  Speaking of great chefs, check out our "Taste of Stelle" cookbook for some great recipes (coming soon).


Monday Night Dinner Co-op