From Conversation to Creation: The GrowGood Story
GrowGood wasn’t born in a boardroom. It started in a conversation, a shared space of curiosity and a common desire for a better future. Our journey began within the Regenerative Currency Federation (RCF), a vibrant, global community of thinkers and doers dedicated to exploring how we can build a more regenerative and participatory economy.
This diverse group brought together a wealth of experience, from the intricate worlds of economics and accounting to the practical realities of technology and community organising. We were economists questioning old models, technologists building new systems, and activists working to empower communities from the ground up.
A Shared Challenge
In our discussions, a recurring theme emerged. We were all inspired by the principles of a regenerative economy – one that sees the world as an interconnected web of life, values holistic wealth, and empowers communities. We were particularly focused on new accounting and data standards, like the ValueFlows vocabulary and REA (Resources, Events, Agents) accounting, as powerful tools to make these ideas tangible.
But we kept running into the same wall. While we could talk about these new economic models, there was a gap between the theory and the practice. How could we put these powerful ideas into action in the real world? How could we capture the data we needed to see if these regenerative practices were truly making a difference, both for the planet and for the people doing the work?
From Talking to Building
We realised that what was missing was an operational system – a tool that could be used on the ground, in the field, to capture the flow of resources and the impact of our actions. We needed a way to connect the dots between the daily work of a farmer and the larger vision of a regenerative economy.
So, a few of us decided to stop just talking and start building.
We set out to create a tool that was:
- Grounded in Regenerative Principles: A system that understands the interconnectedness of a farm and its environment.
- Built for the Real World: A practical, user-friendly tool designed for the realities of daily farm life.
- Data-Driven: A platform that could capture the rich data needed to measure what matters – from soil health to community well-being.
- Open and Collaborative: An open-source project that invites participation and co-creation from the community it serves.
That’s how GrowGood was born. It’s more than just software; it’s the next step in our journey to build a more just, sustainable, and regenerative food system for everyone. We’re not just building an app; we’re building a community of practice, and we invite you to join us.