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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.
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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.
I’m considering moving back to the west coast. Most likely Oregon or Washington. I’d love to build a cob house. But I’m wondering if that sort of thing can be facilitated from a distance? We are still on the east coast and would need to have the house built and ready by the time we arrive. Is that unusual? I realize most owners want to be involved in the building process. But for us, it’s more important to have a place to crash when we get there. Or should I just rent and RV or try camping? How are these types of things usually handled?
Thanks!
I would never hire someone from such a distance to build something that you cannot supervise! I have lived in Oregon though I am now in Vermont and if you don’t know the territory or have not been there for quite a while in that state you could be in for a big surprise.
Robyn
I am interested in helping to build a cod house, I am about to graduate college at HSU but classes are online now and I am seeking a more connected way of education and I would to apply it to my real life and I start to make a life for myself.
Hi! My name is Maddie and my wife is wednesday. I saw that you were interested in helping with a cob project! My wife and I are trying to build a homestead in the desert of New Mexico. We have an acre of land and a basic design for our house but we need some help! Food and water will be provided and you would be free to camp on our land during your stay! We live 15 minutes ish outside a small town, 40 ish from a small city, and an hour from albuquerque.
Please let me know if you are interested! My email is maddielyon@gmail.com
Thank you!
-Maddie and Wednesday
Hello I am looking for someone to help me refurbish a cob house ( 200 sq ft)
I have no experience with cob , so it will be a learning experience for both of us
There is BLM camping around the land, and camping on the land as well, and a community kitchen and shower.
Where are you located? Makes a big difference!
Robyn
I have done some cob building I did 2 weeks as an apprentice about 3 years ago in Barea KY Willing to help.
Deb
I would love to do a work exchange for 3-5 months late winter/spring of 2021. I am willing to travel anywhere in the U.S.
I would like to offer labor for education and experience. Please contact me with details.
I would love to do work exchange in Arkansas if there is anything coming up that would be great I am an artist I work with many types of art forms would love to do what I can do.
Hey,
I just recently learned of cob homes and Id
be thrilled to have a chance to learn how to build them and also even teach others how.
I live in mid-Michigan and would love to volunteer if anyone is in the area and looking. I’m a hands on learner and pick up quickly.
Best of Luck to everyone,
Tuesday ✌🏼
Hi! My name is Maddie and my wife is wednesday. I saw that you were interested in helping with a cob project! My wife and I are trying to build a homestead in the desert of New Mexico. We have an acre of land and a basic design for our house but we need some help! Food and water will be provided and you would be free to camp on our land during your stay! We live 15 minutes ish outside a small town, 40 ish from a small city, and an hour from albuquerque.
Please let me know if you are interested! My email is maddielyon@gmail.com
Thank you!
-Maddie and Wednesday
I am very interested in learning more about cob building. I am a very young 60 year old woodturning artist( retired medic) with alot of energy!
Hey, I’m looking to get into cob building, never done it before but am able bodied and learn quick. I live in the Bay Area CA and am willing to travel to learn. Let me know if ya need me
Hi all,
I’m looking to do a work exchange on a Cob or straw bale project. Cob building will be new to me but I have a lot of other building and sculpture experience.
Know it’s a long shot but is anyone building in California?
Also available to travel to the Pacific Northwest, New York, and Vermont.
Take care,
Gray
how about New Hampshire Gray?
Hi I am Intesred in work exchange opportunities in natural building
Hello,
I am looking for experienced cob builders for a project in northern Arizona, just outside of Flagstaff. This is a paying gig for anyone with the right experience. Volunteers are also welcome and we have off-grid tiny cabins for rustic lodging. Organic Breakfasts and snacks provided. We have a wood burning hot tub and outdoor barrel cedar sauna on site. I am hoping to get a team together ASAP.
Thank you,
Sara
Hi Sarah,
I’m interested in your project and would like to know more about it. Please feel free to shoot me an e-mail at: ropabird@riseup.net
Happy building!
Hi Sara,
I am interested in volunteering in this project. Let me know.
Hello Sara!
I am an eager volunteer. Could you email me with dates and some more info?
Cheers,
M.
I have worked with cob in the past and lime plaster, it has been a few years though.
Willing to help if you wish, please send more information
Hi,
I am looking for cob work parties in the Pacific Northwest. I live in Seattle. I have a vehicle and camping gear. I took the A-Z cob course in 1998 with Ianto Evans. I have also taken other cob classes with Michael Smith, Becky Bee and others and have worked on several building sites in CA, OR, and BC. My special interest is in learning cob flooring and showers.
Thanks.
I am looking for folks who would like to cob and help us make a bathhouse, as well as rocket stove… we are here in North Bend…..
Hi Jessaiah,
I live in Bellingham and am interested in helping out with a cob project and learning about how it holds up here in the rainy Northwest. Are you still looking for help with your projects, or would you like to share your experience of how your cob buildings have weathered our cold winters? I’d love to connect, learn more and offer my hard work!
Please let me know if you’re interested,
Lisa
I’m in Spokane, Washington area and I’d love to make cob, earthship, wattle and daub projects. Doesn’t matter if its ovens or outbuildings. I need the experience and love working on functional things. I’m available by text 503 995 4195
I’m looking to make a cob oven this year.
Hi! I am extremely interested in learning more and working with you all! I am currently living temporarily in intentional community setting in Vermont-Cohousing. I have experience Working on environmental injustice and climate inequality projects, behavioral management, and effective communication. I am eager to learn how to build a foundation for my tiny home and expand this sustainable living in areas that are intentional about community. I will love to connect and have a conversation! Leecee.visionist@gmail.com
757-744-9818
Looking for any opportunities to learn natural building (especially but not limited to cob), permaculture, self sustainable living. Beginner in these fields, but super interested and willing to travel (plus some experience in conventional building)
Hi! My name is Maddie and my wife is wednesday. I saw that you were interested in helping with a cob project! My wife and I are trying to build a homestead in the desert of New Mexico. We have an acre of land and a basic design for our house but we need some help! Food and water will be provided and you would be free to camp on our land during your stay! We live 15 minutes ish outside a small town, 40 ish from a small city, and an hour from albuquerque.
Please let me know if you are interested! My email is maddielyon@gmail.com
Thank you!
-Maddie and Wednesday
Hoping to get hands on this summer in a work trade / workshop opportunity, my partner and I have interest in permaculture , cob building and natural living
Blake / donna
Bbarr916@gmail.com (southern oregon, will travel)
Looking to trade work for guidance in building with cob & accommodations. I have no building experience. Work with my hands a lot as a massage therapist. My intent is to someday participate in the building of my own natural home. Willing to travel.
Hey there my boyfriend and I would love to take this workshop as we are looking to get into Cob building! I am a beginner and my boyfriend has actually done cob work in Tennessee with a cooperative so he is a little more educated than I am but I am super interested in learning! This type of building has a special place in my heart because my great grandmother in South Africa build her own house out of Cob and I always found that admirable and I would love to follow in her footsteps!!
Located just outside Asheville, NC one of my favorite places to be. Been looking for the opportunity to learn how to build a cob house since I heard about it from a good friend of mine when I was 16. Very strong work ethic and drive. I’m mobile and I’d love to join a team somewhere close to town. I only work 4 days a week and you can have me on the other 3 days. Let me know if there are opportunities available. Looking forward to hearing from you!
~Daniel
Hiya,
I am a 3rd-year student in college and as a graduation requirement, students take part in an 8-week internship. I would love to spend my 8 weeks learning about and building with cob. I am available to work from early June through the end of August and am flexible about location. I am looking forward to hearing from you!
Angela
Hello, my husband and I would like to learn natural building fundamentals to build our own house. We currently live in San Diego and would like to offer our labor in exchange for learning.
I am currently located in Los Angeles, and am interested in cob work exchange opportunities.
So far, I have attended design classes for three semesters, but natural building is definitely what I prefer over the modern status quo.
Hey Im in the Austin area as well and just stumbled upon cob houses after studying and researching earthships. If you find a build please message me I’d love to get in on one and learn.
I would love to volunteer my time to help build cob or straw bail, hemp create, earthbag construcction in exchange for experience. Currently living in Austin Texas I lived in California but open to New Mexico area too.
Hey Im in the Austin area as well and just stumbled upon cob houses after studying and researching earthships. If you find a build please message me I’d love to get in on one and learn.
Hi, have you found a build to participate in yet? I’m looking to build a cob home on my property. I have 10 acres in Lexington, Texas (not far from Austin). My hope is to get a few people together who would like to help this process along from start to finish.
Hi there.
I´m an Engineer and Lighting Designer looking to utilize my early 2020 holidays with some cob / strawbale hands-on building in the sun. My focus is near the beaches of the central americas, but I´m also globally flexible if your project is a good match. I travel from Copenhagen.
Greetings
/Tim
Would love to exchange my labor to work on your cob project. Looking at sometime mid June.
I would love to exchange labor for knowledge with the work exchange…
Hello everyone!
I currently live in Colorado Springs and would love to attend either of the VersaTerra workshops in 2020 and exchange volunteering for learning. I am incredibly interested in knowing these natural building techniques.Thanks very much!
Hello,
I would love to volunteer my time to help build cob or straw bail in exchange for experience. Currently living in Colorado in San Luis Valley but open to New Mexico area too.
Thank you!
Young entrepreneur looking for the right opportunity to start learning how to build earthen buildings. I’m looking to use earthen building techniques to supplement sustainable farms and create more ergonomic living quarters. I’m located in Eastern United States and would prefer western NC.
Saw this post from awhile ago. Would be interested in talking. I am interested in same thing. Feel free to email me. Heathercaswell47@gmail.com.
Hi all! My partner and I are interested in learning about natural building and working with cob. We would love to exchange our time and work for a learning opportunity! Any type of project works! We are located in BC so anywhere in the area works for us!
Hi! I’ve worked with earthbag building before, and have helped instrust others; I want to offer volunteer time to any Washington state cob or natural building projects going on if I can. Seattle area and north is best, but willing to spare some time to help others. I love it so much & just want to share in the fun.
I’m interested in working on building a natural house and learning about the process! Hoping to work somewhere in California/Oregon/Washington. Please reach out with any ideas or opportunities!
I would love to work for free and learn construction and sculpture with cob. I’m east of Dallas TX area so can be on a project in north east TX, south east OK or SW AR areas. Also I can be available most fri-sun and have a work truck with tools and camping gear. I have a bit of framing and barn building exp, and done some brick an masonry but finishing & trim work isn’t my strong point
Craigen
972-415-8625
Hello,
I’m a new land owner near lake tawakani and Quinlan and was wondering if u would be interested in helping my husband, family, and I build a cob house. We have watched many videos and believe we can make it happen ofcourse with Help and patience. If your interested in having hands on practice with cob and helping us build this home just so u can gain some knowledge, please shoot me an email at tedsaedwards@yahoo.com.
Thank you
Hi! I live in Lexington, Texas. I’m looking for help to build a home for my two boys and me. I Am reaching out to folks to see who might be interested in learning to build an earthen home with me on my land in Lexington Texas.
I am eager to build with cob. I realized this is the first step in making my own cob building one day. I am looking for books and experience. I learn best by doing. I would be so happy to help build anything I can, and I’m open to travelling to some places. I’m in Arizona (FLG) but I have been travelling anyway so that would be a great reason for a trip. I look forward to hearing back with opportunities. Thank you thank you thank you.
Hi Allie,
I am starting a natural building company in Missouri. I would love to learn cob building from you as part of a work exchange program. I don’t think I will be able to make this August Cob Extravaganza (but if I should try to make it any way I can, I will see what I can do) – but if there will be opportunities for work exchange this fall, please let me know. Hope to be in touch soon to discuss plans and options.
Yours,
Mike Kelly
E & H Homesteads of Missouri
(314) 255-4527
Allie,
I am interested in work exchange options. I am an engineer but our family budget is strapped with child expenses and other stuff. I would like to come out to Oregon for a week or so and work and learn, with the intention of trying to start a natural building contractor business in Missouri.
Thanks – just let me know –
Mike Kelly
314-255-4527
We would like to volunteer if anybody is doing any projects in New England.
Hi, I see you posted in last July. I am in central Massachusetts I would like to build a Cobb kids cottage for practice Sometime in the spring of 2020. Have you found New Englanders or New England Cobb workshops?
Saw this post and live in New Hampshire. I am also interested in learning to build with cobb. I would be willing to help out to learn so I can also build a cobb house for my family in the near future. Thanks Heather
offer labor in exchange for experience my primary interest is natural home construction and permaculture.
Hello,
I’m interested in learning how to build a cob home and would love to give a hand. I currently reside in Washington. I don’t have any near future plans for mine, but would like to start learning the entire process.
I have some experience in home remodeling which mostly translates into the willingness to work hard. I am an artist with experience in working with clay and wood carving, always interested in scaling up of course. I’m from south central Texas, but willing to travel if able to.
Hi Jonathan? Still interested in cob building? I’m hoping to build something on my property in the near future but have limited experience myself. Let me know if you’re interested in cob building.
I would love to help on a project sometime this summer! Dates and location flexible- I’m from FL but could travel. Thanks!
What part of Florida? I’m in South Florida, and I’m looking into doing a project of my own.
I am a plasterer. Interested .in cob building .i would to work on cob housing
Oh I’m very interested in participating in the workshop!
I live in the East Bay Area, California, and I am designing a two-story ~950 sf house to build out of cob/bale. I have 0 experience, but I am studying and have a plan. I would like to get building with a team as soon as I can, probably by summer if permits don’t take too long. If anyone knows of groups or would like to work please let me know, thank you. <3
I’m very interested in helping out!
I doing a similar thing in Tulsa, OK. I have 5 lots on a city block (not contiguous) which is declining economically. I got the lots for less than $6K. I am interested in a small community and have people talking about doing things but no one is doing anything yet. I don’t have a plan yet but my interests are converging on a solar cob straw bale house of similar size to yours. I also would love to work/share on your construction project as early as possible. How is your permitting going in California? There is little knowledge or interest in cob/straw bale here. I’m thinking designing for code will be our biggest problem. I am interested in being off-grid with solar and batteries. Thanks.
I just bought 3 acres in Tahlequah with the intention of building a cob shop with a house to follow. Have you started your project yet? I would love to help, and perhaps, when I’m ready, you would be willing to give me a hand. I presently live in Tuttle (just south of OKC) but I have family in Tulsa. My daughter-in-law is a city counselor there. Maybe she can be of help if you run into any zoning issues.
Hello!
My family and I live in OKC and are currently looking for land around the state to build our own cob home.
We would love to help with any projects you have started to gain experience and knowledge. We have read, watched videos, and researched cob and natural building for about a year now and are so ready to get our hands dirty and learn!
We are planning to travel for a week-long workshop eventually when we can make it work.
Also, they are working on a residential cob code currently! https://www.cobcode.org
My email is Logan.kloos@okstate.edu if you would like to contact me!
Emmy,
Were you able to build your cob home? I live in the east SF Bay Area and would like to assist and learn more about cob homes. Please let me know if you still need assistance.
Hi! I would really love to learn about making cob structures, and I would be happy to do labor in exchange. I plan on building one day, but it is too distant in the future to say where or when. I am planning a road trip of sorts, and I would love to stop along the way to learn and work with cob! My aim is to go through California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, (maybe Utah) Colorado, Arizona, (maybe Nevada) and back to California. This would all be tentatively between April-June. I am hoping to be in MT in late May. Let me know if you have an opportunity in those times!! Thanks!
Hi Emily,
My friend and I are currently looking for land in the utah area. Ive been researching cob for several years.., so i have some knowledge of how to build, what we both lack however is physical ability…bad backs, shoulders knees..We can definitely do some of the work but we will definitely need help building. If you are interested, feel free to contact me.
Hi Kim,
I realize your message is from earlier this year but if you are still in the process of constructing I would be interested in helping you! I have also been reading and learning for a few years and am eager to have hand on experiences.
I would like to offer my labor in exchange for a learning experience in cob building. I live near Kingston, Ontario, Canada. It gets very cold here in the winter, i would like to know how cob or other natural materials hold heat in these conditions. I am hoping to pitch cob building as an idea to my community as we will be taking on a large project of building houses in the spring. Would love to hear from yous runnylcrocketmail@gmail.com
Hi. I sent you an email about natural building in Alaska. Did you get it?
We are a long way from Ontario, but we do have significant experience in natural building for cold weather climates (Alaska). We are also well connected with other natural builders in the area, including one intentional community with some huge projects.
Building in cold climates is definitely different. One consideration is that insulation is more important than thermal mass. Thermal mass is valuable, but will not keep you warm by itself if you live in an area of sustained temperatures that are below freezing. This includes places like Alaska, and probably most of Ontario. During the course of a two-week cold spell, for example, the cold will penetrate the thermal mass walls unless they are inside an insulation envelope. There are other things to consider for cold climates, as well.
Feel free to contact me if you want to ask questions, or if you are interested in visiting our area.
Dale
sbtmp1 (at) shamansweb (dot) com
I would like to offer my labor for on-the-job learning and experience in the area of natural cob building. I am particularly interested in projects going on in Southern California this Winter. Thank you.
Hello! I would be interested in hosting a cob workshop in May 2019 in north east TN. We are planning on building a contemporary 800 sq ft home.
Leslie Harrison April 23, 2019
I live in Tulsa and have 5 lots on a city block (not contiguous) which is declining economically. I got the lots for less than $6K. I am interested in a small community and have people talking about doing things but no one is doing anything yet. I don’t have a plan yet but my interests are converging on a solar cob straw bale house of less than 1000 sq ft. I also would love to work/share on your construction project as early as possible, May 2019 sounds wonderful. There is little knowledge or interest in cob/straw bale here. I’m thinking designing for code will be our biggest problem. I am interested in being off-grid with solar and batteries.Someone recently got a variance for a duplex which will house 11 people on a similar plot to one of mine. Conventional building, though. Thanks.
I would be interested in helping, I have done a couple of work shops with Cob in Kentucky.
Also if your land is located rural then codes might not be a big issue. I would love to build someday a straw bale/ earth-bag home if I ever get the property! Lol I’m in Michigan so Tennessee isn’t to far, not sure about Arkansas though.
We are located in Fayetteville, Ar. We are wondering about hosting a cobworkshop this summer.
Hey, Melissa, Would you mind emailing us about this? We’d love to help out. Tmintz@live.com
Melissa, I would also love to work/share with you. I am not far from you. Please see my email above. Thanks.