Sharing Our Roots Farm Office and Training Center
Northfield, Minnesota

Sharing Our Roots (SOR), a non-profit dedicated to social justice and environmental sustainability, has partnered with Sweetgrass Design Studio and ALM Design Studio to create a new office and training facility. This project aligns with SOR’s mission by providing versatile spaces for offices, community meetings, and food gatherings, as well as facilities for cohort farmers – those farming the adjacent land.

Scope of Work: The facility will include permanent office space, storage, and shower areas for cohort farmers and staff, as well as spaces for families and community gatherings large and small.

Sustainability Strategies: The design features a super-insulated, air-tight Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) enclosure, minimizing concrete use with SIP panel foundations. It incorporates durable, recyclable, and bio-based materials, such as low-emission EPS foam for insulation, recycled blow-in cellulose for the roof, and wood finishes and furnishings throughout.

The building is designed to be site net-zero based on an estimated 19,000 kWh annual energy use, with potential to achieve net-positive energy status through a larger photovoltaic array. Water management and landscaping considerations are also integrated to address construction impact.