Hello friends, family, and kind supporters,

My name is Brendan Bradley, and for 13 years, the Rosebud Reservation and the Lakota people have been a deeply important part of my life. I have a profound love and appreciation for this community and the wisdom and knowledge that comes through the elders, stories, and ceremonies of the Lakota culture, which is why I am so honored and excited to embark on this meaningful project: building a traditional outdoor earth oven at the Boys & Girls Club of Rosebud in Mission, South Dakota.

This isn't just about building an oven; it's a project that brings together everything I've come to love about this place. It's about building community, teaching vital skills, and enhancing connection to the earth. The mission is to empower the kids with the knowledge of earthen building by transforming raw elements of clay, sand, dried grasses, and stone into an oven that honors the fire in a good way, where they can make a variety of foods for themselves and their community. An earth oven (often called a cob oven) is a simple, sustainable, and incredibly efficient way to cook. For the youth at the Boys & Girls Club of Rosebud, this project will be a hands-on lesson in sustainable building, basic physics, and the art of cooking. It will also be a connection to traditional cooking methods used by indigenous peoples for centuries, fostering pride and knowledge. It also honors the strength and power of the old ways, as a large outdoor earth oven often outperforms and outlasts modern ovens. The oven will serve as a central gathering place for shared meals, cooking workshops, and intergenerational storytelling. Ultimately, the project is about giving kids the skills to prepare healthy, delicious food from scratch and empowering them as they work together to build a lasting, fuel-efficient structure they can feel proud of.

Goal: $6,200 to Ignite the Fire!

I'm aiming to raise $6,200 to cover all the essential costs to build a safe, durable, and beautiful earth oven. Every dollar will go directly towards making this dream a reality for the Rosebud community.

Here's how your generous contributions will be used:

Materials: $3,000

Fire Bricks: The core of the oven, essential for retaining heat and durability ($800)

Natural Building Materials: Clay, sand, and straw for the "cob" mixture, sourced sustainably ($300)

Insulation: To keep the oven hot and efficient ($200)

Tools: Shovels, buckets, wheelbarrows, and other necessary equipment for construction ($400)

Foundation: Gravel, concrete blocks, and rebar for a stable base ($300)

Oven Door & Flue: Custom-made components for proper ventilation and heat control ($250)

Simple Roof Structure/Covering: Materials for a basic roof to protect the oven from weather ($600)

Miscellaneous: Tarps, safety gear, and other small but crucial items ($150)

Travel: $1,200

Transportation: Fuel and vehicle maintenance for traveling to Mission, SD ($600)

Accommodation: Modest lodging during the construction period ($400)

Food & Incidentals: For keeping nourished while on site for the 10-day period ($200)

Compensation/Project Facilitation: $2,000

Skilled Lead: A stipend as an experienced project lead/facilitator who will guide the construction, ensure safety, and teach the community members ($2,000)

Join Me!

Your support, no matter the size, will make a tangible difference in the making this vision a reality. This earth oven will be a source of warmth, nourishment, and learning for years to come.

Please consider donating and sharing this campaign with your friends, family, and networks. Let's build something truly special together!

Thank you for your generosity and belief in this project.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Brendan Bradley

Founder of Earth Kitchen

Boys & Girls Club of Rosebud