[Sdpg] Emerald Earth Natural Building Workshops 2004 Boonville, Mendocino Co., California

[Wesley Roe and Marjorie Lakin Erickson]

Natural Building Workshops
at Emerald Earth Boonville, Mendocino Co., California

    Build an Earthen Oven                                                May 1
Learn to build a wood-fired oven out of clay, sand, straw and bricks. 
Wood-fired, retained heat ovens have been used for thousands of years all 
over the world, and are still preferrred by the finest bakers toaday. The 
heat from the fire is stored in the earthen mass and released to make 
perfect pizzas, bread, desserts, meat, and veggies. This simple design 
makes a wood-fired oven attainable for everyone. It can be built in a day 
for $50 in materials. Fee: $75

   Natural Building in Community         June 7 - July 30
Take your natural building education to the next level with this 8-week 
apprenticeship! Whether you are working towards a career in natural 
building or want to build your own home, you need a broad exposure to many 
different techniques, as well as the theoretical background to combine them 
into a beautiful, efficient passive solar design. Supervised work 5 
days/week in alternative foundations, wall systems (cob, straw bale, 
straw-clay, round pole framing), natural floors and finishes, and more is 
complemented by classroom time, communication and leadership skills, & 
individual research projects. Group size limited to 6. Write us for an 
application. Fee: $2400

   Earthen Floors and Finishes           June 25-27
Clay plasters can be fun, durable, healthy, inexpensive, and beautiful. To 
be successful, you need to know how to make the best mix for your 
particular soil and to apply them over straw bale, earthen walls, or even 
sheetrock! Also learn how to make a long-lasting and beautiful earthen 
floor. Fee: $250

   Building with Cob     July 16-18
Learn to hand-sculpt your own home, greenhouse, studio or garden wall from 
clay, sand, straw, and water. Learn to determine the most effective ratio 
based on your particular soil. Cob homes can be warm in winter, cool in 
summer, dry, comfortable, long-lasting, and exquisitely beautiful. Fee: $250

  Natural Building Intensive     September 12-18
There are many options for people wishing to build a natural home. To make 
the best choices, you need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of 
each technique. This popular workshop introduces straw bale, cob, 
straw-clay, wattle and daub, adobe floors, clay and lime plasters, natural 
paints, passive solar design, ecological materials harvesting, gray water 
harvesting, off-grid electricity, and much more. A stimulating mixture of 
hands-on building, lecture, slide shows, and tours of our site. Fee: $500

Instructors: Michael G. Smith, Darryl Berlin, Sara McCamant and others

Discounts, Fees, and Registration
On all workshops of a week or less, we offer 10% off for full payment 30 
days in advance, and an extra 10% off to Mendocino Co. residents. Fees 
cover instruction, camping and delicious meals (except oven workshop). To 
register, send a $100 check payable to Michael Smith, along with your full 
contact info.

Work Trade Opportunities
Some workshops include opportunities for free attendance in exchange for 
help in the kitchen and on the site. In addition, Emerald Earth offers 
long-term (minimum 2 months) work trade opportunities. See our web site for 
details.

Contact us for more information: Emerald Earth Workshops
PO Box 764, Boonville, CA 95415; (707) 972-3096; www.emeraldearth.org; 
<lorax at ap.net>


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