The process of planning, building, and maintaining your unique cob wood-fired oven is a community-building activity in and of itself. This process brings people together, fostering teamwork, problem-solving, and collaboration.
The Community Heart is in the Hearth of a Cob Wood-Fired Oven
Children are one of the most important members of a community, and they can greatly benefit from having a cob wood-fired oven in the community. Through oven-related tasks, they can not only learn about baking and food processing but also about teamwork and community building. The oven provides a dynamic teaching tool for camps and other educational programs on topics like sustainable living, the value of preserving traditional skills, and so many more. If your interested check my post – Tips for Running a Cob Oven Workshop for Children.
The hearth of a cob wood-fired oven can also serve as a focal point for the community. Gathering around the warmth of a wood-fired oven creates a sense of unity and belonging, and it is a perfect place to share stories and create memories. The acts of: preparing food, baking, and sharing meals together builds strong connections within the community. Hosting regular community events such as pizza nights or bread-making classes around the oven also helps to strengthen relationships and keep the sense of community spirit alive and fresh. The hearth of a wood-fired oven is not just a cooking space but also a place where people can come together and nurture their community.
Generating Income and Supporting your Local Economy
The goods produced in a community cob wood-fired oven can also be used for selling or bartering to benefit the community. Freshly baked bread, pizza, and other baked goods can be sold at a local farmer’s market or community event, generating income for the community. These funds can be allocated to specific community projects or events that help you grow even closer together as a community. Additionally, bartering baked goods with local businesses or farmers can help to support the local economy and create mutually beneficial relationships within the greater community. Not only does the oven provide delicious food, but it also serves as an economic and social engine.
A nice example of this is The Community of Hope Wood-Fired Community Bread Bake which uses their bake to expand their community outreach and address food insecurity. A quote from the article that captures that community spirit I am writing about – “The atmosphere on Sunday morning Oct. 9th in the lounge was like the old days, where many folks stopped by, and gathered, and shared. Lots of encouraging words, and lots of compliments about our baked goods from members.”
In conclusion, building a clay wood-fired oven for your community offers a variety of benefits. It provides delicious food and serves as a meeting point for social events and community building. Additionally, it’s also possible to use it to generate income for the community and support the local economy through selling or bartering. This labor of love is an investment in food, your community, and the local economy.
