Paradise Found Forest Products Cooperative

Paradise Found Forest Products Cooperative was created out of the friendship of Phen Chin and Ed Glidden.

Phen brings more then 20 years of experience in the floral greens industry while Ed brings an understanding of Cooperative business development and personable marketing skills. Both Phen and Ed are interested in traditional, land-based, ways of living.

Phen grew up in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge genocide and came to the US as a refugee in the 1980s. Ed grew up in Chicago and came to Olympia to attend The Evergreen State College in 1990. He is a former Waldorf school teacher, beekeeper and parent.

Our Promise:

We are guided by a strict environmental code of ethics that acknowledges the need for the forest to replenish itself. Our forest product workers will never over harvest, denude or negatively impact the land in which we work. We are dedicated to improving both the working conditions, pay and well-being of our collective members as well as the health of the forest while promoting sustainable and respectful wild-crafting practices.

Most of the Department of Natural Resources and privately owned land Paradise Found Coop members harvest from has been leased for decades. These areas remain productive for the wild harvest of forest products. We are a part a healthy part of forest based industry.

About Our Members:

We are comprised primarily of long term forest workers of Cambodian descent. Our 8 member cooperative is based in Olympia, WA. Most of our harvest comes from the nearby wooded areas in Thurston and Mason counties.

Paradise Found Cooperative members bridge many worlds: we work together to make a living while respecting the natural resources which provide our livelihood. The purpose of this actively growing organization is to raise the standard of living of forest workers, be responsible stewards of the environment and provide high quality forest products.