Rootstock.
Groundworks.

Planning Library · §12

Risk Assessment.

An honest accounting of what could go wrong — and how Groundworks is designed to mitigate each risk.

  • Insufficient foot traffic to sustain café

    High

    MitigationChoose an accessible McMinnville location with existing traffic patterns. Build community through events before opening. Confirm the SNAP / EBT acceptance pathway before promising it.

  • Unable to secure farm supply partners

    Medium

    MitigationBuild several direct corridor farm relationships and identify an aggregation backup before opening. The number and capacity of potential suppliers still need field validation.

  • Grant funding does not materialize

    Medium

    MitigationCafé and farm stand earned revenue are designed to cover core operations independent of grants. Grants fund education programming and food access work, not the operating baseline.

  • Founder burnout or health limitations

    Medium

    MitigationPhased staffing plan: cook hired from day one. Second hire within 12–18 months. Portfolio career model limits Groundworks to sustainable hours. Six-day launch schedule with protected admin day.

  • Establish Groundworks in McMinnville is delayed or does not happen

    High (existential)

    MitigationIf the move does not happen, Groundworks does not launch. This is named explicitly. The two-phase go/no-go protects against over-investment before the move is confirmed. Phase A validation work has value regardless.

  • Commercial kitchen buildout exceeds budget

    Medium

    MitigationBudget range ($75K–$125K) accounts for variance. Option to lease a space with existing kitchen infrastructure. Phased equipment purchasing if needed.