Message Board

Work Exchange & Work Parties
Work Exchange: Offer labor for education and experience.
Work Party: Ask for help on your building project in exchange for sharing your knowledge.

Message









  • Hello Niecy!
    There is a group in Atlanta that seems to always have some cob projects going on. The woman who started the group, Aviva, is an amazing woman with a lot of skill and experience building with cob. The facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/115213895546
    It’s a closed group, so you would have to send a private message first expressing your interest.
    ~
    If you are looking for something more long term, we will be hosting three or four apprentices starting in the spring of 2016 at our building school in Central Kentucky, Disputanta Cob. Please see our website or call me should you desire more information.
    http://www.disputantacob.com
    606-256-8954
    Diane Jennnings

  • shawnee says:

    Nancy
    My name is Shawnee and
    I live in Florida and am interested in helping for experiance.
    S_nicole_00@yahoo.com

  • S. Denise Johnson says:

    Hello! I’m Niecy and ive been doing tons of studying on natural building, particularly Cob and Straw Bale. I am located in McDonough, GA and I would love to get some experience by helping someone else on their project or will definitely exchange labor for learning. If there are any individuals in the area who can be of some assistance, please feel free to reach out. Thanks and good luck to you all on your journeys. :)

    • Jeff says:

      Nancy
      My name is Jeff I’m also interested in doing cob or strawbale house building. I live in Jacksonville Florida and if you find any openings to help please let me know thanks

      • Rebecca says:

        My name is Rebecca and I live in Panama City, Florida. I’m looking for cob/straw bale workshops to attend. I intend to be ready to build by early Summer 2016 just outside of Panama City in the Southport/Youngstown area. Interested in trading labor for experience!

    • Bill says:

      Hello all, I am located in Sandy Springs, Georgia, and would love to help out on any project where I can learn some cob building basics. THANKS!

  • Michael says:

    Hi Folks… This place is fantastic. I’m a soon to retire, single 60 year old, handy kind of guy who will have lots of found time and a huge desire to learn this building method. Have tools, will travel! All I’m looking for in exchange would be a place to pitch a tent, if its a warm climate and a chance to work with someone who has at least a little experience. I’ll have a modest retirement income so you won’t have to worry about me hanging around the back door at meal time! Drop me a line and tell me about your build. Mike

    • Dale says:

      Hi, Mike,

      Where are you, and how far are you willing to travel? We are in Alaska and doing a lot of alternative building there. We are also well connected with many other alternative builders in SouthCentral Alaska. If that’s of interest, let me know.

      Dale

    • Hi Mike,
      We are a Natural Building School in Central Kentucky. As much as is reasonably possible, we try to prepare you to be able to go home and build your home after attending a week long workshop with us. We hold our most popular workshop, “From the Ground Up with Cob,” three or four times a season from April to September that includes learning:
      Natural Stone Foundation,
      Building Cob Walls
      Sculptural ~ Artistic Cob
      Natural Plaster / Lime Plaster / Tadelakt Plaster

      We are seeking one or two persons to apprentice during 2016. We invite you to come out and camp on the land before the first workshop, helping us get ready, and learning about the logistics of having a workshop. During this first workshop you would attend as a regular participant. As the building season progresses and we host subsequent workshops, you are gradually transitioned into a cob instructor. (You will be prepared to host and lead workshops to build your own home at the end of the program!)

      We have several structures in progress at the building school including: a bath house that we are building both a hot tub and a curved shower in out of cob, an 18th Century Community Kitchen with 8 foot walk through arches, and two additional cottages we will practice plastering on. 2016 will see the beginning of two new walls for the Kitchen, where you would get the opportunity to learn to build a Natural Rock Foundation. Please see our web site for more information, and call me or email me if you would like to get even more info. (There is a contact us page on the web site.)
      Regards ~ Diane Jennings
      Disputanta Cob
      http://www.DisputantaCob.com
      606-256-8954

  • brien briggs says:

    I’m 25yrs old live in tacoma wa. Recently my lady an I have decided we want to find a property here in wa near tacoma and build a cob house. Neither of us are experienced in natural building. Both chloe an i would love to be involved in the building process to gain some experience and knowledge. Any info on how to do so would be great. Workshops, locals that have already gone through the process. Thank you

  • HOPE says:

    Awe. How fortunate for you! I only got a weekend in. I scraped together enough money for land and am camping it till , I get a cob home built. The soil is perfect! If you would like to build a practice one before you build your own, please consider TENNESSEE!. Anyone that would like to join on in please do! 352-352-321-1767

  • Yolanda Meeks says:

    My husband and I have recently attended 2, 9-day intensive cob building workshops at The Cob Cottage in Coquille, OR and The Sundog School of Natural Building in Point Arena, CA.

    We are seeking to put our newfound skills to work. Does anyone know of any work parties in the California and/or Arizona area that will start around mid-October 2015?

    Please email me at yolanda_meeks@yahoo.com with any information you may have.

    Thanks in advance for your assistance.

  • Mark says:

    https://testdsw.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/cropped-interior705.jpg
    Check out the above site. If that does not work, look up “Straw Bail Studio, Diane Bednar.”

  • Debbie says:

    I am still looking for an apprentice position here in Arizona anything out there? Even classes would be good.
    Thanks for any and all responses.

  • Katharine says:

    I am Very interested! That sounds amazing!!

    • Dale says:

      Katherine,

      Send me an email at: shorbus shamansweb com.

      I’ll send you some more information on our project, the local area, tell you about us, etc. Please send me your questions, so I can address them directly.

      Thanks for your interest. Talk to you soon,
      Dale

    • Dale says:

      Hi, Katherine,

      I sent you an email, but I’m wondering if you got it. Let me know, please.

      Dale

  • Katharine says:

    I am a 29 yr old mother of a 4 year old in Michigan and I reeeeally want to learn everything there is to know about natural building. I have been looking into it for years but I don’t have any hands on experience. I am 2 semesters away from an environmental science degree but I really just want to roll my sleeves up and be the change!! I am looking for a place to go (anywhere in the world) where I can learn how to build these cob, or other, types of natural buildings and bring my son, Traverse with me. I can help build homes for free as long as there are some awesome things for Traverse to do or people to hang with. ANY information would be awesome! If anyone has any ideas, please let me know!
    Peace :)

    • Dale says:

      Hi, Katherine,

      My wife and I will returning to Alaska next spring to work on our off-the-grid natural building project there. We use a wide variety of natural building processes: earth bags, cob, load bearing straw bales, natural plasters, light straw, reciprocal roof, earthen roof, earth berm, rocket mass heater, solar energy, composting toilets. and more. We are building on 1.6 acres, bordered by 20+ acres of wild natural preserve land, and a creek and a river within a short walk. Elsewhere on this list I have a detailed report on what we are doing. If you are interested, we can email you more information.

      Also, we are in Europe right now, and have helped others here with their natural building projects in rural areas.

      Dale

      • Melody Monk says:

        Dear Dale,
        My husband and I are planning a trip to Alaska in July 2016. We would be very interested in seeing your natural building if possible. We have 30 years of building experience in traditional methods, but are really interested in Cobb, sand and straw bale.
        Thanks for your time,
        Melody and Tim

        • Dale says:

          Hi, Melody,

          We would be delighted and excited to show it to you. My email is in the messages to Katherine. Please send me an email and I’ll give you all the details of where, when and what.

          You and Tim are choosing a very good path….

          Dale

  • Debbie says:

    Me also, I live in Arizona and there is a place up North that builds Cob and they have work shops but I can’t remember the name and location.

  • George says:

    Looking for any build of any kind, literally any kind, in the Parker, AZ area (can travel as far as southern UT/NV, most of western AZ, and LA/San Diego areas). Will work for free, just looking for experience, with everything from natural building to the plumbing and wiring aspects or even framing if that’s what’s going on. Limited experience, very hard worker, highly organized and physically capable (30 y/o with no limitations). gandrewmackin@gmail.com.

  • Faith Mandravelis says:

    Hello!
    I’m saving up to buy a plot of land to build a cob house/straw bale home on. I’m looking for any tips on what I can start doing now while I save/look for land and also if there is anyone in the New England region looking for help building their cob/strawbale home! I’m very physically fit and I have a boyfriend interested as well. We hope to build a home with our family in the next few years.

    Thanks!
    Faith Mandravelis
    Hollis, NH
    603-718-4592 <- if you call please leave a voicemail

  • Tina Elliott says:

    Hi there!
    My husband and I are looking to learn about cob/ strawbale /natural building, and can lend a helping hand on your project. We are in Durango CO and can travel anywhere in the Four Corners region. Please let me know!
    847-962-1242

    Thanks! <3
    Tina

  • John Dougherty says:

    Looking to help build some cob houses. I am in the Springfield Missouri area. Someone hit me up, I will work for free and bring my own lunch!.

  • jennifer beasley says:

    I am interested in a work exchange. I am an artist and a therapist, and live in Kentucky. I’d be very interested in helping out at a work party in my part of the US, and would consider traveling to the west coast if the timing is right.
    Many thanks,
    Jennifer

    • Diane says:

      Hello Jennifer. When are you looking to start? I live in Corinth, Ky and I just finished an apprenticeship and am planning to teach workshops next year or start some small project in the fall. Where are you located?

  • Kim says:

    I have so many questions. 1. Where do you live while your house is being built? I currently live in Baltimore and am going to be coming into a decent sum of money. With that I would like to have a cob house built. While I would like to help with the project, I have some physical limitations. I’ve started drawing the designs however. I have people interested in living off the grid so I’m thinking that I would start with building to suit myself with the ability to add on as we form our little off the grid community? I have no idea how to decide what state to live in and the biggest question I guess is how much house could I get if I had to pay a builder to assist me and I was working with about $30,000. Could someone please advise? As a single woman embarking on this alone, my head is just swimming! Thanks much.

    • Hello Kim ~ According to most of the folk in the Natural Building World, the best first step is to attend a workshop. There are plenty happening this summer in the eastern part of the country. We will be starting one next Monday that is an all encompassing workshop that even includes foundation. Participants in our workshops usually range widely in age and physical ability. We encourage you to pay attention to your body and work at a pace that is comfortable for you, to take breaks and pace yourself until you are accustomed to the work.

      I hope you will consider us as you start your cob building journey.

      Diane Jennings
      http://www.disputantacob.com
      (606) 256-8954

  • ksenia says:

    Looking forward to hearing about work exchange opportunities anywhere in the US

  • Hello!
    My name is Heather and my partner is Artemus. We are working on an organization that empowers individuals in simplifying their lives through reconnecting to earth and working with each other. We are huge fans of COB building and are looking to learn more about COB through hands on experience so we can assist others at some point. I just saw that you are holding a workshop next week and i’m wondering if you are in need of any work exchange since this is such short notice we have not planned for two people to attend financially. Overall, we would love to build a relationship with your organization since you are one of the closest to Davis, CA. We appreciate your time and let us know of any inspirations coming through you to connect and exchange.

    Blessings,
    Heather and Artemus (The Mandala Village)

  • Becky Olson says:

    Looking for cob opportunities in AR! Need some hands on learning so we can build our own cob house.

  • Rene says:

    I am here seeking work trade opportunities for the rest of 2015. I have done the research now I would like to put my knowledge to work but mostly to learn on site what it takes to build in the new green world. I am a hard worker although a petite lady, this is what I have left my regular life to do. Before its all over I also want my have own tiny house, although I want to build with cob, earthbag etc.. first. Feel free to contact me.

    • Dale says:

      Welcome aboard, Rene,

      We have done a lot of work with earthbag construction in Alaska, as well as some cob, reciprocal roofs, earthen roofs, earth berming, composting toilets, rocket mass heater, etc. If you’d like any comments on the earthbags (or, any of the others), please let me know.

  • Kari Cooper says:

    We did cob together @ Lavender Hill in Feb 2014, yes? With Tree & Myles & Claudine!
    Hippie Chick from NJ!

  • doug mackenzie says:

    i’m glad u miss me – but who and where are you wrenne?

  • K says:

    Miss u too, Dougie! Wrenne

  • doug mackenzie says:

    hi terry – good luck with your search for help – i’m building a cob hut out here in the hills – working on a rock foundation right now – i sure hope it’s the last foundation i build – love to ya’ll

  • We are a Natural Building School in Central Kentucky. As much as is reasonably possible, we try to prepare you to be able to go home and build your home after attending a week long workshop with us. We are looking for a few folks to help out a week before our most popular workshop, “From the Ground Up with Cob,” which is coming up July 27 through 31 and will include:
    Natural Stone Foundation,
    Building Cob Walls
    Sculptural ~ Artistic Cob
    Natural Plaster / Lime Plaster / Tadelakt Plaster
    The work trade is a week of work getting ready for the workshop, in exchange for registration to the workshop the next week. Please see our web site for more information, and call me or email me if you would like to get more information.
    Regards ~ Diane Jennings
    Disputanta Cob
    http://www.DisputantaCob.com
    606-256-8954

  • Kari says:

    I want to let everyone know that I took a FABULOUS workshop @ Terry’s place and I can’t say enuf great things about them! Gorgeous land, beautiful buildings and a lovely family! Wish i could go for a month myself! Be Well, K

  • Terry says:

    We are a homestead between Santa Cruz and Monterey in a mild marine climate looking for people interested in learning and working with cob. We have three cob buildings– two of them in progress as well as a cob oven that still could use some awesome sculptures and plastering. We would exchange housing in one of the cob buildings that has a roof and a loft and high walls and is still open to the air or a choice of camping. We are a family of four with two children 7 and 2 and a dog, cats and some hens and chicks. We have an organic garden that is a bit neglected as we are farming down the road. We serve only organic food, some of it from our farm and my husband loves to cook. We’d love to have some long term work exchangers (at least a month?) for the summer and possible beyond. Thanks for reading!

    • Terry says:

      BTW, we are on the central coast of California– forgot to mention our state!

    • Amanda says:

      Oh my gosh, yes, please please please! We are a small family (a couple in our mid twenties with a four year old). I used to live in Santa Cruz and miss the area terribly. We are currently in Mt. Shasta in northern CA, and have a pretty open summer. We have a little cobbling experience, and some farming experience. I am also an artist, so sculptural elements are my forte. You can call us at 530-925-3053, or 530-925-2145. Thanks! Amanda, Matt, and O.

      • Terry says:

        i’ll call you this evening and if i don’t get a hold of you i’ll try this weekend.

      • Sasha says:

        Hi Amanda!
        I read your post and wondered if you are cobbing near the Mt. Shasta area? I’m currently living in the bay area but I have 5 acres just outside of HWY 97 in N.CA that I plan to build cob on next year and am looking to connect with other cob builders up there.
        snee8@hotmail.com

        • Amanda says:

          Hi Sasha,

          Yes, we would be really interested about doing that. We currently live off the 96, actually! Thus far we’re just building little walls and benches on my parents property, but practicing none the less. I’m late to an appointment right now, but let’s talk more soon. You can email me at waofl@yahoo.com or call/text me at 530-925-2145 if you’d like. :)

    • Dana says:

      Hi Terry!
      I am very interested in your offer for work exchange. I love the Monterrey and Santa Cruz area from my time spent traveling out there last year. I usually live in rustic situations i.e. the conservations corps, off-grid cabin in Maine, farming in Hawaii, etc. so I am well equipped for camping and rustic living. I am passionate about tiny houses and cob building because of their efficiency and artistic flair but a lot of the workshops are such a short duration and cost more than I can afford with my lifestyle. I am a minimalist, a musician, a degree holder in anthropological film and have a passion for living close to the land. Please contact me, danamuras@gmail.com.
      Dana

    • Sasha says:

      Hello Terry and family, your project sounds so interesting! I’m in Half Moon Bay California and looking for some nearby cob work exchanges to get a bit of building experience before I build on my own. I have been doing handbuilding clay sculpture and ceramics for a while and would love to try incorporating this into cob. Right now I have just Weds/Thurs free but I’m working as a seasonal for the summer at a lake and will soon be in the off-season where I have lots of time starting in Sept/October/Nov/Dec/Jan through winter/spring and looking for a work exchange! snee8@hotmail.com

  • Hope says:

    Hello! It is nice to meet you. Personally, I think it is wonderful to meet other cobbers. I think we should form a society and help each other and future cobbers build their homes too. My son and daughter in law want to build a cob home, and so do I on our land in Texas. If you have any knowledge of any kind of organization of this type please let me know!

  • Cindy Houben says:

    Hello there fellow cob lovers
    My name is Cindy and I live in Pahrump Nv. I am in love with cob! My husband and I currently building a wall/ entrance way to our home. My plan in the hopefully near future is to buy a little piece of land up north (closer to my kids and grandkids) Wa or Or somewhere, and build our own little cob cottage. Just wanted to reach out to the other like minded people and say hello. COB ON :)
    p.s. would love to hear from anyone with the same passion as mine

  • Cindy Houben says:

    Hello there fellow cob lovers
    My name is Cindy and I live in Pahrump Nv. I am in love with cob! My husband and I currently building a wall/ entrance way to our home. My plan in the hopefully near future is to buy a little piece of land up north (closer to my kids and grandkids) Wa or Or somewhere, and build our own little cob cottage. Just wanted to reach out to the other like minded people and say hello. COB ON :)

  • Abigail Dey says:

    Hey, I am located in South Carolina and would love to build my own cob home but I am having difficulty finding classes and getting started. Any suggestions?

    • Hi Abigail,
      We are having a five day, comprehensive cob workshop in Central Kentucky at the end of July. We will build foundation, learn to mix and build with cob, work with plasters, and build an earthen floor. Our web site is http://www.DisputantaCob.com Feel free to call at 606-256-8954. Regards ~ Diane

  • azad says:

    I really am interested in building a cob home in Aguanga CA in Riverside county. Does anyone know if it’s allowed here, or if any one has already done it out here? I would really appreciate any help/ info!

  • Sam says:

    Hi everyone,
    I’m a field biologist by trade, but I am currently in south Austin working on a permaculture farm through the WWOOF program. I have experience under instruction with carpentry (building a field house and accompanying out house, deck construction, and various housing repairs and minor remodeling endeavors) and a little experience with wiring and plumbing. I plan on being in the area for the next several months and would love to improve my skills and learn new ones, especially if anyone would be willing to teach about cob building. I’m a hard worker and a fast learner with a flexible schedule and a serious interest in learning more about natural building. One day I would like to set up a piece of land with a permaculture design and a natural built structure. If anyone has any insight into projects in the area that are looking for assistants, or know of any people willing to take on an apprentice, please let me know!
    Thanks,
    Sam

    • Natural Builder says:

      Hey man look up Clay Sand Straw LLC .. They are in the area building with cob. Also Design Build Live (www.designbuildlive.org) is a great crew of folks. Good Luck Have Fun

      • Sam says:

        Thanks, I’m visiting family in NY right now, but come July I’ll definitely look into these and post up my experience

    • Hi Sam,
      We are a Natural Building School in Central Kentucky. As much as is reasonably possible, we try to prepare you to be able to go home and build your home after attending a week long workshop with us. We are looking for a few folks to help out a week before our most popular workshop, “From the Ground Up with Cob,” which is coming up July 27 through 31 and will include:
      Natural Stone Foundation,
      Building Cob Walls
      Sculptural ~ Artistic Cob
      Natural Plaster / Lime Plaster / Tadelakt Plaster
      The work trade is a week of work getting ready for the workshop, in exchange for registration to the workshop the next week. Please see our web site for more information, and call me or email me if you would like to get more information.
      Regards ~ Diane Jennings
      Disputanta Cob
      http://www.DisputantaCob.com
      606-256-8954

  • jacob says:

    Hi All

    I am a musician and massage therapist by trade, and would also like to increase my natural building toolbox, specifically cob. I have a lot of carpentry and roofing experience as well as landscaping (patios, walls, etc.)

    I will be in the Northwest in August for a couple months if anyone know of a project that needs volunteer help! (NoCal, Oregon, Washington)

    Thanks!
    Jacob
    303-588-4046

  • Tamsen Casssidy says:

    I am inquiring if workshops might be set up to build a cob house in Haines Alaska…Great and beautiful area to do a workshop in!

  • Kate Riser says:

    I want to help build your cob home in Humboldt County, CA!

    • Matt says:

      What part of humbolt are you guys doing this, i am in lake county and if under a couple hours drive i would gladly help, when are you starting?

    • Malachi Ennis says:

      Hi Kate, we are a family of 10 kids in Trinidad, CA, building a small room for the oldest child (me) in our backyard, and we could use all the help we could get. Currently, we have a foundation of urbanite pieces with gravel and french drains, all on a bit of a slope.
      What kind of experience level would you say you are on? I am still learning for sure, pretty much all my experience is going to a workshop and reading books. I would love to talk to you, Cob is one of my passions in life for sure. You can email me at mennis972@mycr.redwoods.edu if you wish

  • Bridget S. Howe says:

    Looking for cob house workshops near Columbus Ohio.

    • Hi Bridget ~ We are in Central Kentucky, about a four hour drive from Columbus. (I used to live there.) http://www.DisputantaCob.com 606-256-8954 ~ Diane Jennings

    • We are a Natural Building School in Central Kentucky. As much as is reasonably possible, we try to prepare you to be able to go home and build your home after attending a week long workshop with us. We are looking for a few folks to help out a week before our most popular workshop, “From the Ground Up with Cob,” which is coming up July 27 through 31 and will include:
      Natural Stone Foundation,
      Building Cob Walls
      Sculptural ~ Artistic Cob
      Natural Plaster / Lime Plaster / Tadelakt Plaster
      The work trade is a week of work getting ready for the workshop, in exchange for registration to the workshop the next week. Please see our web site for more information, and call me or email me if you would like to get more information.
      Regards ~ Diane Jennings
      Disputanta Cob
      http://www.DisputantaCob.com
      606-256-8954

  • doug mackenzie says:

    i have embarked upon the adventure of vernacular architecture and would love help in seeing the structure completed before it gets too hot – i’m in the foothills of the sierra nevada (fresno co.) along the banks of a wonderful creek in a mixed oak/pine forest- if you want to learn vernacular architecture (using water, clay soil, sand, rocks, red bud, manzanita and bunch grass, please give me a call – hopefully you are a free spirited anarchist/panarchist/refusenik/withdrawalist/non-conformist/anti-civ/rebel/revolutionary well suited and able to live simply on the land – there are few to no ‘civilized’ amenities here – plenty of life though

    dougie stardust
    559-855-4899

  • Dale says:

    We’re back in Alaska, and will be resuming work on our natural building project shortly. Because of a family wedding, our building season will be short and intense. This makes a great opportunity to learn a lot about natural building, and still have time to do some sight-seeing in Alaska.

    Our project has earthbags (which is mostly done for this phase, but there is still a little to do), rocket mass heater, straw bale, earthen roof built on a reciprocal (aka, reciprocated) roof structure, earthen floors, natural plasters, light straw (aka, clay straw), and more. This phase is completing a small structure, so there will be ample opportunity to work in all these building media.

    If you want to spend more time working on a variety of natural building projects, we have friends who are building a huge natural building as part of a long-standing intentional community, and another family that is building an earthship.

    • Eric says:

      Hi Dale, how can I find out more info?
      Thanks!

      • Dale says:

        Hi, Eric,

        I posted a rather long explanation on here a couple months ago. That might give you more info. You can also email me at shorbus shamansweb com. I can either answer your questions by email, or give you my phone number.

        Dale

    • Tamsen Cassidy says:

      where in Alaska are you? I am in Haines and am seriously exploring the cob technique for my future house. I want to start with animal shelters which are needed right now… can you contact me with your information?

      • Dale says:

        Hi, Tamsen,

        We’re on the Kenai Peninsula (Kasilof). You can email me at: “shorbus – at- shamansweb – dot- com” and we can exchange phone numbers, or I’ll answer questions by email, whichever you want.

  • michelle says:

    I looked up mudbumms on FB and couldn’t find them :( but I did find the girl that they mentioned :) she has some really cool pics of stuff shes done :) im tryin a cob oven this spring :) :) CANT wait :)

  • K says:

    Hi Heather! Check out MUdbumms on FB and ask them about their upcoming cob workshops at Lavendar Hill. They would be a perfect fit for u! I did a workshop with Cruzincob Cob @ Lavendar Hill Feb 2014 and it was TERRIFIC! Great food, people and accommodations.
    Be Well,
    K
    tinyhouseGypsy on FB
    YurtGrrl

  • Heather says:

    Hello,
    My name is Heather.
    I’m looking to volunteer/intern at a farm/ranch/community that builds with cob!

    I’ve been researching for so long and am having trouble finding a location that will have me and my dog. I’m totally open to stay outside on a property in a yurt if it comes to it!

    Can anyone suggest a farm/ranch/community that works with cob on the west coast? I live in Washington but I’m willing to travel to any location in the PNW to learn to work with cob and other natural building materials.

    Thanks all,
    -Heather

    • amanda says:

      Hi heather,
      I know of a woman near bandon oregon thats likely offering internships in cob. i think the focus is on plasters and finishes, but theres other stuff too, and a lot of people in the area that are doing natural building in various forms. you can email me if you want and i’ll get you some more information. tired of tying on a tiny phone!

    • Tamsen Cassidy says:

      I am looking at starting to do cob building. I have rented acres right now and have animals that need shelters and I would like to start with that…but I am also looking at buying some land where I can build a cob house. Money is limited. I do HelpX and so I have helpers coming throughout the year. If you are interested let me know: tamsenlou32@gmail.com

    • Tamsen Cassidy says:

      I am in Haines Alaska!

  • K says:

    Hi! There are two neato cob builder/companies that I would highly recommend: mudbumms on Facebook and sigi Koko also on FB. They both do cob workshops/builds. I trained alongside Tree and Myles from Mudbumms and Sigi Koko is a font of knowledge here on the East Coast as well as being a lovely person! Best of Luck!

  • Rebecca Holbrook says:

    We are thinking of building a cob structure on our property in Fayetteville Tennessee and wondered if we could host a workshop to help pay for the structure.

    • We are a Natural Building School in Central Kentucky. As much as is reasonably possible, we try to prepare you to be able to go home and build your home after attending a week long workshop with us. We are looking for a few folks to help out a week before our most popular workshop, “From the Ground Up with Cob,” which is coming up July 27 through 31 and will include:
      Natural Stone Foundation,
      Building Cob Walls
      Sculptural ~ Artistic Cob
      Natural Plaster / Lime Plaster / Tadelakt Plaster
      The work trade is a week of work getting ready for the workshop, in exchange for registration to the workshop the next week. Please see our web site for more information, and call me or email me if you would like to get more information.
      Regards ~ Diane Jennings
      Disputanta Cob
      http://www.DisputantaCob.com
      606-256-8954

  • Brent,
    Please contact me via our contact us page on our web site with your email. I’ll send you plenty of options to choose from. Then we can follow up with a phone call to see what areas of building and learning you are most interested in.
    Diane
    http:www.disputantacob.com/contact_disputantacob.htm

  • Brent monger says:

    Yolanda, I’m so very bothered by the fact that you told me it was going to happen for spring break so take time off…. I did just that and you do not have the common decency to even respond….. Diane Jennings. Spring and summer is a long time lol. Do you have more of a time line ? 386-628-7500

  • Brent says:

    Yolanda please call me 386-628-7500 or anyone who has her phone number thanks.

  • Brent says:

    Yolanda, I took two weeks off during spring break for the cob build in florida. I have not heard anything from you and have two of us sitting waiting to k ow where to go…. 386-628-7500….. Please let me know where we are supposed to be….. Thank you… Does anyone have Yolanda’s phone number ?

    • Brent,
      I’m sorry you’re having trouble getting ahold of your contact in Florida. We are doing some exciting work in Kentucky with cob and lime plasters. We are building an 18th Century Community Kitchen over the spring and summer. We are also experimenting with Tadelakt plasters with some great success. Google “Tadelakt” to learn more. Anyway, if you’re interested in coming to Kentucky, we’d love to have you.
      Diane Jennings
      http://www.DisputantaCob.com
      (606) 256-8954