Cob Oven Weekend

Cob Oven Weekend – $500

July 8th-10th (From 9am on the 8th to 3pm on the 10th)

This workshop is a great introduction to natural building materials and methods. We will build a wood-fired

cob bread/pizza oven from start to finish. Students will build the stone foundation, firebrick hearth, cob

structure, and finish the oven with earthen plasters. We will also build an attached cob wall and a

cast-in-place concrete countertop. You will learn the skills to go home and build your own oven!

What to expect:

Our days will be spent engaged in hands-on building and learning with natural materials. Expect a rich

weekend of natural and community building with the group. We’ll work, learn, eat, and relax with each

other in a positive, hard-working, fun atmosphere. Conversation on natural building will provide constant

background chatter throughout the weekend. Evenings are typically unscheduled so folks have time to

enjoy the site, explore nearby towns, or relax around the fire.

We will make time for a few focused discussions on related natural building subjects such as

straw-bale construction, passive solar design, wood framing, roofing, permits and codes, and more.

Michael may give an interesting slideshow presentation.

The Site:

Our site is Stablegate Farm, a beautiful family owned winery, wedding venue, and spiritual center.

Located at 10-12 Linda Way Castleton-on-Hudson, NY 12033. Camping facalties include a bathouse

with toilet/sink, a hot/cold water outdoor shower, and a fire pit gathering area.

Meals/Food preferences:

We will serve three meals daily, cooked on-site by staff. The food will be healthy and filling vegetarian

cuisine with a vegan option. Many of the ingredients will be sourced from local farms. Please indicate any

food allergies upon registration.

Schedule:

The workshop will begin at 9am on Friday the 8th. We will break for lunch around 1pm and work again

until 5pm. The evening is informal and unscheduled, although a campfire hang-out will be available.

Breakfast will be served at 8am with the workshop to follow. Saturday we have to end early, around 3pm

to accommodate a wedding that day. Participants may arrive Thursday evening to set up camp, but no

meals will be provided until lunch Friday.

Instructor:

Michael McDonough is a Troy, NY based building contractor, designer, and educator. His work can be

found at the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, Oxmoor

Farm, and a number of happy homesteads around the east coast. He learned a great deal by working with

leading natural builders including Ianto Evans, Clark Sanders, Thea Alvin, Ben Simpson. He has taught

about 20 natural building workshops.

What to bring:

* Camping equipment including tent, sleeping bag, flashlight

* Work clothes and shoes. Slip on/off shoes are recommended, such as crocks, sandals, etc.

* Work gloves

* Sunscreen, bug spray, hat, water bottle, rain gear

* Notebook, building plans or sketches to discuss

To Register:

Tuition is $500 and includes the camping fee, workshop experience and materials, and all meals. Group

rates, discounts for previous students, or for taking multiple courses are possible.

You may register via paypal by sending the tuition to michael@risingearthbuilding.com

Or mail your tuition check to the address below and we will confirm your registration via email.

Rising Earth Natural Building

363 3rd St.

Troy, NY 12180

Call or email with questions:

(919) 685-0123

michael@risingearthbuilding.com