NOTE: This server isnt even in beta, this is basically a massive ideas dump that I'm asking for feedback on

So, I have a friend looking to set up a server, and I decided to help him find something unique and fun to base it around. Based off of some conversations I have had (special thanks to /u/Loreguy) I have come to the conclusion that a server set up in the following way would be a ton of fun. I want to get proof that a good number of other people are interested in this idea before I recommend that he go ahead with it, so I'm posting here. Feedback/criticism of the idea is also welcomed.

The basic idea is that the map is generated without any ores at all. (As a sidenote, does anyone know of a mod/map generation tool that will allow us to do this?) It's really just as simple as that. I feel that this would add an enormously challenging and fun aspect to the game, and also give the server a unique feel. It would also be highly patterned off of Civcraft (/r/Civcraft), using plugins such as Citadel, PrisonPearl, PhysicalShop, WorldBorder, JukeAlert, limited chat range, etc.

We could maybe add purchaseable "kits", but rather than giving game-breaking showers of d blocks, we could sell stacks of smooth stone, charcoal, wood, etc.

Another idea is to make turning crops into ores available. [See edit]

Or maybe add custom crafting "books" or recopies that let people climb a tech tree to get more stuff with a less grindey feeling?

So, would anyone be interested in such a server?

EDIT: what are the thoughts on this idea?

People are able to get ores and stuff from raiding temples/villages, making Golem/Pigmen Grinders (the nether idea has pretty much been thrown out at this point), etc- basically all the vanilla ways that will either be exhausted quickly or will take a while to get. Even then, I'm thinking that Iron Golem drops should be slightly nerfed. But we also add another option for getting ores. We make you able to, through some sort of custom crafting recipie/plugin, turn food into ores. I'm not quite sure how simple or easy it should be. For example, a more complicated way would be to make bottles o' enchanting with large amounts of wheat, and then to use the enchanting to make various things, making it cost more bottles as you get more valuable (1 bottle for a piece of coal, going up to 9 for a piece of iron). Maybe we could get even more complicated and add machines that turn food or XP into ores.