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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.
Hello,
I’m hoping to find a workshop east of the Mississippi and south of Ohio sometime in September/October of this year. I’m in Central Florida and haven’t been able to find much hereabouts, as far as workshops are concerned. I work hard, but could also pay for the workshop if no work exchange can be arranged. I can also drive/carpool if anyone else is interested!
Cobb! Woo Hoo!
Rick
I have recently stumbled (was enlightened) to the cob building. I am from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area and would definitely be willing/wanting/able to offer labor for education and experience. I have no qualms about a small bit of travel in this endeavor as well.
My email is pcrowley@factualphoto.com
We are planning a From the Ground Up with Cob workshop for June 25th to 29th. We are looking for a few people willing to do some preparation work and light carpentry the week before in exchange for a scholarship to the workshop. As much as is reasonably possible, we try to prepare you to go home and build your own home after attending a workshop with us. For more information about the workshop and to contact me, see our website: http:www.disputantacob.com Regards ~ Diane
Hi, I live in Raleigh North Carolina and have been looking for a place to learn cob building. I would be very interested in coming to help with what ever is needed.
Hello Wesley ~ Please call me at 606-256-8954 to discuss the details. Thanks ~ Diane
My husband and I are beginning on our house this summer and are interested in helping with another project, and perhaps getting help with ours. We are in southern Missouri. We would be thrilled to find something not too far as we have two toddlers. I can be reached at jess09021978@yahoo.com.
An eager couple here, looking to get involved on a natural building project in western US. We have been traveling the last 8 months learning the basics and are looking to further our experience. threeoten [at] gmail (dot com)
Hello – I’m willing to work for experience and education. I live in central North Carolina.
Hello Rick,
We are planning a From the Ground Up with Cob workshop for June 25th to 29th. We are located in Central KY, outside the town of Berea. We are looking for a few people willing to do some preparation work and light carpentry the week before in exchange for a scholarship to the workshop. As much as is reasonably possible, we try to prepare you to go home and build your own home after attending a workshop with us. For more information about the workshop and to contact me, see our website: http:www.disputantacob.com
Regards ~ Diane
Looking to throw a work party if anyone is interested. My husband and I and three children moved to Lyons Georgia to build a Cob house we don’t know to many people here and could use some extra hands in the building process.
My name is William Fleming, and my wife Lisa and I are just starting to learn about Cob Housing. We would be very interested in coming to help you with your project for the learning experience. We have a long term plan to build our own. Please let us know what time frame you are looking at, and how long you think the project will take. We live about three hours away, but if we can coordinate schedules we will be happy to help in any way.
Also, we are located in Columbia, SC and would love to carpool with people 🙂
My wife and I have been interested in building our own cob house and would like to learn as much of the process by helping other people build their houses. How large is the house? How far a long are you in the building process? How long do you anticipate it to take? I am excited to hear fro you. Contact us and let us know if we can work something out.
Hi, Are there any workshops/work parties in South/Eastern Ontario Canada?
Thanks
Dave
I’m interested in learning to build with cob, and willing to volunteer as part of this process. I’m in central North Carolina, but willing to travel within central Atlantic seabord (NC, SC, Georgia, VA, WVA, Tenn, PA). I’ll be available from June 2013 onward.
Forgot e-mail contact in last posting.
bellsmoke@gmail.com
I’m interested in learning to build with cob, and willing to volunteer as part of this process. I’m in central North Carolina, but willing to travel within central Atlantic seabord (NC, SC, Georgia, VA, WVA, Tenn, PA). I’ll be available from June 2013 onward.
Will work for knowledge!
We are planning a From the Ground Up with Cob workshop for June 25th to 29th. We are located in Central KY, outside the town of Berea. We are looking for a few people willing to do some preparation work and light carpentry the week before in exchange for a scholarship to the workshop. As much as is reasonably possible, we try to prepare you to go home and build your own home after attending a workshop with us. For more information about the workshop and to contact me, see our website: http:www.disputantacob.com
In a few months I will be moving out of the country with a group to build cob homes. I have NO experience! I need to work with someone helping and learning to build cob in the Oklahoma area. I am a hard worker and motivated! If anyone needs help in the area let me know! starrydanes@yahoo.com
Looking to build a cob and/or compressed earth block home this summer (north of the border!), the more merry souls the merrier =)
This is going to be an ongoing, time-consuming project, so between last and first frost anytime you can drop by is probably going to be a good time. Feel free to pitch a tent somewhere alongside the beautiful Ottawa river, eat out of the organic gardens, brave the endless hordes of hungry, no, ravenous! insect-vampires, and bask in the serenade of the grateful swallow’s song =)
The upside is that we couldn’t bring ourselves to charge a cent for YOUR blood sweat and tears. The downside is WE HAVE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE! =)
But I am sure we will all learn the hard way together!
=)
If interested, email contact: euskingc@hotmail.com
PS Any southern cousins starting early spring projects and looking for help, let me know! Anytime before the ground thaws up here I can lend a hand for a few days or a week or so down there, but the sooner the better! I’ll go as far south as the Keys to work and learn =)
Chris, I can probably help direct you in your project. We have a project in process in Baja Mexico…an owner-builder’s school. 6 buildings started, using various alternative materials, combined with mud.
See our website…www.bajagreenbuilder.com , rke1951@gmail.com, Skype…randall.kevin.echter, US cell no. 505-859-5517. Let’s talk about what you want to accomplish. Randy
I would absolutely love to do a work exchange. I live in St. Paul, MN but I am willing to travel in exchange for a great learning experience 🙂
See above post =)
We are planning a From the Ground Up with Cob workshop for June 25th to 29th. We are looking for a few people willing to do some preparation work and light carpentry the week before in exchange for a scholarship to the workshop. As much as is reasonably possible, we try to prepare you to go home and build your own home after attending a workshop with us. For more information about the workshop and to contact me, see our website: http:www.disputantacob.com Regards ~ Diane
Here in sunny Baja California, Mexico,we are forming a green builder’s school (6 buildings in process), north of Cabo San Lucas and offer on-going training in mud usage, as well as other mediums. See our website for more info…www.bajagreenbuilder.com
Internships, workshops, tours, & on-line consulting, all are possible, according to your needs. Come play in the mud with us ! Randy
My husband and I are in the planning stages of building our cob home in the Greenville, SC area…we are now scouting out land sites and networking for experienced cob builders as well as cob laborers. We have found several lots of land that are affordable in the area but they tend to be undeveloped and would need to be cleared and prepared for building.
We would welcome any pre-purchase advice, and extra hands on this project once we break ground. Our intent is to establish a permaculture design that would include not only our cob home that could exist off-the grid, but also a sustainable garden, to include small animals, such as chickens, pigs, and possibly goats.
We have invited a local cob workshop educator to sponsor some workshops on our project in order to help inform the local community about the benefits of cob construction…but we know that it never hurts to have more help!
Please reply if interested or have any tips on this project!
Thanks to all!
Australian builders with Cob seem to have it together more on speed..They use cobforms to make building a bit more like modern building. Like building big blocks of cob..then just ‘cobbing’ the blocks in between..seems logical.
I have some experience with forms. But perhaps a different sort—?They are great for not having to trim and getting good compaction, however, there best use is on the top of the foundation, not further up the wall. They can be heavy and hard to get plum. It becomes a toss up if your spending more time plumbing them or trimming.
Also if your roof is already in place, it is not long before there is no work room to remove a vertical top loading form, which is what we were using. The beautiful free form of shaping roundness goes out the door with forms as well.
Remember continuous cob is always stronger than an interrupted brick. They are much the same for compressive strength from above, the difference comes in from sheer and push from roof load going out. 🙂
For efficiency my focus is least amount of time on the tarp, for the most workable/quality cob on the walls. I have a special technique I use, we will be going over it this summer.
Apprenticeship for cob building~~ two weeks– work trade– food provided for $565/ camping available.
June 22- July 6th 2013
Mid- Oregon.
Looking for someone in SW Oklahoma who will be building …we own 300 acres have 2 wells and want ot build but are clueless
I would love to lend a hand to someone building In the area so to learn
Stacy we are in Pontotoc co OK and would be interested in visiting with you. We are starting our first cob home very soon hopefully.
You can contact me at mbwalton08@yahoo.com
If anyone is in Mount Gambier, South Australia, Sunday, March 10th we will be having a free festive community cob/adobe building event from 2-4pm at North Primary School. We will be building a small children’s playhouse with and for the school and the
community. We will have percussion, a big mud pit, refreshments and seating for those who would like to be in the audience. Come learn, mud, play and build! For more info or bookings contact me at mitsak.ratsack.david@gmail.com
Offering labor for education and experience! That sounds about right. I live in Colorado, and I just moved to Boulder, so it would be nice to meet some folks here. I’m an outdoor educator and a permaculture student. Have quite a bit of free time coming up. Cheers, Allie allie.maloney@gmail.com
We are planning a From the Ground Up with Cob workshop for June 25th to 29th. We are looking for a few people willing to do some preparation work and light carpentry the week before in exchange for a scholarship to the workshop. As much as is reasonably possible, we try to prepare you to go home and build your own home after attending a workshop with us. For more information about the workshop and to contact me, see our website: http:www.disputantacob.com Regards ~ Diane
Hello 🙂
My name is Carmen, I am currently in Chandler, AZ
We are moving to central Florida
This summer and will want to build a cob house there. We have around $25-30K to buy land and build. We dont know anyone who could help us in Florida or give us sound advice. We need at least a 3 bed. House for our fam.of 6
If any one has any info. Please e mail me at cprietomunera@gmail.com
Thanks And many blessings!
Congrats on your decision. I wish you all the best. Mixing cob is a labor intensive process for one or two or even a handful of people. I’m convinced it was designed for many to do together – like how we used to harvest and process our crops. For the past ten years I have had allot of success “selling” barefoot cob mixing as a fun, desirable activity – because that is what it is, if done right. I have created many large mud pits that can fit 50-100 people in there, and created events around them, with an audience, live drums/music and refreshments. I have seen groups of people joyfully mix more mud in 20 mins than I could mix in a week. I have a youth leadership program that trains teenagers to engage their community to do this, so that is another route you could take. It would require doing allot of community work but the pay-offs are worth it. There is a strong desire in humans to reconnect to the magnetic clay in the subsoil especially in the company of many others of all ages. I have noticed that since I started creating spaces to allow others to do this, that I have been enriched personally. I have a facebook page called Mud Fun that you can check out. Best wishes
Hi there! We are an Italian couple travelling. We really want to learn and practice with cob and natural building..Is there anybody in Greece needing help from now to end of March? Would be great! We love to exchange work and learning and that’s our travel philosophy! Hope to hear from somebody soon!
Cheers!
Annalisa and Alberto
Hello,
My name is Jesus, I live in Havana, Cuba. I would like to do in my country a project using the type of cob construction. Anyone interested in helping, provide information or support.
Im in mexico and wondering if there are any places known for work trades, i dont have money to take a course, but would love to do a week work trade/work party, or commit time to one specific project how ever long it takes to build.
Hi
I am doing a project in Tepoztlan which is an hour away from Mexico City. We are at the beginning stages- just built compost toilet and want to start building a small wooden house. We are looking for volunteers at the moment. There is plenty of space for camping and we all cook and prepare meals togther.
Let me know if you are interested in joining us or want more info.
Thanks Vicky and Marcelo
Im more interested in natural earth building, than wood structures at the moment, do you plan on doing any of these?
Hi
I live in Mexico city (origionally from Ireland) and am really interest in Cob building projects, Id love to join your project Vicky and Marcelo please could you email me with more information or how I can send you my details?
Many thanks!
Hi Vicky and Marcelo,
I am very interested in joining a project where I can learn about natural building while working. I am flying out to Mexico City from London in December and am going to be looking for such a project while I am out there. Are you still looking for volunteers?
David
Hi There
I have a project going in Chiapas. It is not “cob” but superadobe. If interested Pls Visit
http://moradasverdes.weebly.com/cocinas-rurales-chilon-chiapas-sept-dic-2012.html
The website is not updated (lack of time to do so) but we are starting the 16th kitchen in a community. It is hard work but rewarding.
Minimum commitment is three weeks though.
Bienaventuranza for you
Cato
We are forming a green builder’s school (6 buildings in process) here in Baja California, Mexico, north of Cabo San Lucas and offer on-going training in mud usage. See our website for more info. Internships, tours, on-line consulting, all are possible, according to your needs. Randy
At 49…I’m just starting to get “long in the tooth…but have no pension, no good job prospects but plenty of “college education” that didn’t add much to my life other than big bills and no prospects other than what I could have gotten without college.
I would absolutely be willing to labor for a project of projects in a warm….”inherently inviting environment” in order to learn…and then expect that I would have the chance to build something “small -like 400 sq’ in a sustainable, non-tax paying environment with like minded men/women..and then help others do exactly the same thing…over and over.
Hi,
would like to know more about tradingmy labor for the knowledge andthen building a small sustainable site nearby perhaps.
Frank/info above
Frank,
I think you might like what’s here in Baja at the Tropic of Cancer, where we work with lots of mud plaster. I’m reachable at rke1951@gmail.com . You might really like it here. Randy
Hi Randy,
This is Ishe. I am interested in learning more about plaster– I’m still working on a cob project, but could take some time to come down int he spring perhaps.
I use to work with a guy might be your neighbor named Kim Finagan…?
Can you tell me a little more?
Room and board for work? Tents…?
closest air port? Current projects with Plaster Is it Lime?
how many people/ what do you’all eat? Nearest store i have some allergies.
Thanks much. 🙂
Hi Ishe, yes, basically room and board for work. We don’t have scheduled workshops but accept helpers on our farm/construction project here in Baja, according to their schedules. Camping is what it’s about, good hot showers, warm temps., nice beaches nearby. Learn and grow in the sun. Stores–30 miles to many stores in La Paz w/large selection. We eat mostly meatless. Local fruits in season. Plaster–soil isn’t very cohesive…using cement…soon experimenting w/lime and/or manures for binders. Directed toward housing the homeless in Latin America. Randy
hi im itchin like crazy to learn all about the wonderful ways of natural building.looking for an apprenticeship anywhere!!!
Dustin, check out the strawbale studio in Oxford, MI. I’m headed there in a few weeks to intern. Good luck!
why not create your own apprenticeship? Dig a hole somewhere close by after the winter and start playing with the subsoil. Add water and homogenize all the ingredients into a muddy goo. When it dries a bit, see how the clay binds the sand and other aggregates. Mix it with straw or dead grass and make blobs. Form the blobs into bricks or build with the cob blobs. (bricks can be cobbed together later) Put some rocks on the ground – create a U shaped cradle with the rocks for the mud to sit in. Start building up a wall, (curved is better) or make a miniature model of something you would like to build. Experiment with making plasters…sift your mud ingredients through a fly-screen to make them smooth. Add hair or manure or cats tail fluff or psyllium husks or finely chopped straw or all of the above. Slap it on your mud walls. Experiment with clay paints – sifted clay rich subsoil, skim milk powder, bi-carb soda and add pigments to taste. Try linseed oil to make a completely water-proof finish – suitable for making a kitchen sink or bathtub. There is no rocket science to this. It’s like organic lego. It’s mud- pies on adult steroids, with plenty of teenage madness thrown in.
Hi Dustin, I just posted for a workshop. I have taken on apprentices the last 2 summers. Email me the project is in Middle Oregon. Will be starting in June..
I am CCC Alumni.
June 22-July 6th Oregon Email me I’ll send more info Cob 1000 SF We will be attaching conventional roof to cob walls. It will also cover The Hand Sculpted House.
Hello,
I’m looking for any natural building opportunities in either the mid-west (I’m in Madison, WI) or on the West Coast. I’m 24, graduated with ecology degree from UW, and have been pursuing building professionally for the past year. I have both rough and finish carpentry experience as well as fine furniture making. I am very passionate about building in general, but am trying to move to more ecologically minded construction. Please let me know if you have any suggestions! Thanks. -Greg
Hi Greg,
Email me at ciabel63@hotmail.com I have apprenticeships available for work trade.
-Ishe
Hi, I’m in Boulder during Feb/Mar. If anyone has a building project going on, and would like another pair of hands, I have some experience and am eager to learn more.
I’m a NOLS instructor and an outdoor educator most of the year, with a trail crew history. Email allie(dot)maloney(at)gmail.com
Hi, I’m in Boulder during Feb/Mar. If anyone has a building project going on, and would like another pair of hands, I have some experience and am eager to learn more.
I’m a 33 year old single mom & I’m looking to learn about natural building methods in any & every climate or environment. I was hoping to join an apprenticeship or workshop over the summer, but I don’t want money to be my primary obstacle. I’m a hard worker & quick learner, if I can watch something being done, or better yet, learn as I’m doing it myself. detail-oriented, perfection-minded, I want to do it right & do it well, not necessarily quickly. I live in Portland, OR; will travel! my son is 6 & wants to learn & participate as well. I drive a pickup, will provide my own tools. bless!
Hi Christina… This summer I”ll be building a cob gardn gazebo in Vancouver wa if uYour interested, it”ll have all the elements if a home… Foundations etc….
I’m interested Cari! I think I already gave you my number. Please keep me in mind.
Hi Cari, are you replying to me or to someone else? I’m asking because this reply is to my message, but addressed to another name. let me know, I’d love to help!
Hi Greg,
Email me at ciabel63@hotmail.com I have apprenticeships available for work trade.
-Ishe
IPODERAC is a permanent home to 72 boys, from 6-19 years of age, who have been socially excluded. There are 6 homes, each housing 12 boys, with additional rooms for live-in educators and volunteers. We are situated in Atlixco, Puebla, with the famous “El Popo” volcano in the foreground.
IPODERAC is in the process of building an organic garden watered by drip hoses from the grey-water filter. We plan to build a small cob greenhouse and establish a fruit forest. We have an active compost pile and lots of land to be creative with.
We are looking for mature individuals with a desire to first, fully integrate into the lives of the children and second, to help to further along the organic garden project and run educational, hands-on workshops with the boys. Creativity, resourcefulness and problem-solving are a must. A solid knowledge of organic/permaculture techniques is preferred, but a willingness to research and work-hard is also acceptable.
Volunteers are asked to live and eat with the children and help with chores, homework and tasks inherent in daily living; thus, work hours are from 5:30am to 9pm with several hours of free time while children are at school. We estimate about 2-3 hours a day will be spent working in the garden. We ask volunteers to stay on campus for just one weekend, but all others are free. Besides patience and understanding, these boys need stability, and so a minimal stay of 3 months is required and 6 months is preferred. You must be at least 20 years old with basic Spanish abilities.
If you are interested, please visit the IPODERAC website to apply.
http://www.ipoderac.org.mx or email me for more info.
On the road to sustainability,
Christina (current volunteer)
Christina, I can’t get in to the spanish website but did go to the english one. You didn’t leave an email address for yourself so how can we contact you? What did you like most about the work there? What did you like least? Would be interested in hearing more about this.
Hi! I’m a 20y.o. living in Arvada, Colorado. I’m a minimum wage employed youth who is hoping that, one day, she can build her own home where she will raise her family.. But doesn’t feel that traditional home building means are at all economical for a situation where I don’t ever think I will be rich (by American standards) enough to afford to build the size of home I’d like to retire in.
That being said, I’m very interested in learning the basics of cob building, with the goal of some day building my own 3 bedroom cob home, but I don’t see that there are any workshops in Colorado. I’m posting here to offer my free labor for any cob buildings being made inside Colorado. Contact me at kaylad8528@gmail.com or leave a comment here if you are looking for free labor!
Hi, I am Wren. This year I am looking for a long-term and comprehensive immersion in natural building, from the foundation to finish. Ideally, I am looking for a place with abundant nature, yet close to a town (perhaps in the Appalachians? although I am open to moving most places) so I can have a part-time income source. I have a wealth of garden skills and dream of homesteading so I need to grow my building skills. In exchange for my hands and garden skills, I would like a work trade / stipend with the opportunity to practice natural building. I already have some experience with straw bale, cob, and plaster. Looking for more structural and foundational work. Look forward to hearing about possibilities! Many Thanks,
Wren
Hello Wren. We are in central PA, and are planning our first cob structure this year. We are totally new to cob. We do, however, grow all natural produce and livestock, practice sustainable agriculture methods and are learning more and more about permaculture and other ecologically friendly food production methods. We have a CSA here, are close to nature (106 acres on a dirt road), but there are towns within driving distance around us – some large, some small. We are open to possibilities as well!
Im Matthew 25 I am physically fit for it I am a quick learner and hard workeveryThis year I am looking for a long-term and comprehensive immersion in natural building, from the foundation to finish , with the goal of some day building my own cob home, I’m posting here to offer my free labor for any cob buildings being made will be willing to travel to .min of 12 weeks Contact me at mattrose5150@gmail.com
Hello,
My name is Eric. I am currently unemployed, living in Cambria, CA. I am interested in learning natural building skills and would like to help with a project. I am willing to travel to do so. I am physically fit for it and I have some conventional construction experience. Please let me know of any opportunities in California or a neighboring state. Thanks.
Hi Eric & all,
I have a project in Baja California, Mexico, near La Paz, where we are needing volunteers to help form 6 mud structures for a green builder’s school. It’s mellow here and we could use some help. See our website for more info. Randy
Hi Randy,
I am interested in hearing more about your project. I looked at your website and it looks like you have a lot of experience with different techniques. I’d like to hear about what types of materials you’ll use for this project, when the project will begin, what boarding possibilities exist, etc.
You can post back here or email me at ericbakuladavis@geemail.com, replacing “gee” with “g” (I’m trying to trick the robots).
Hello! My husband and I are looking to volunteer with any kind of natural building project. Neither of us have any experience with this but would like to learn and cannot afford a workshop at this time. He has worked as a carpenter and I am a quick learner and hard worker. We are planning to move to NC sometime this year and would like to build our own earth house and are looking to get some experience. Willing to travel but southeast is preferable. Thanks a lot! 🙂
Hello Bernadette, We are planning a Complete Cob workshop for April 16th thru 20th. We are looking for a few people willing to do some preparation work and light carpentry the week before in exchange for a scholarship to the workshop. As much as is reasonably possible, we try to prepare you to go home and build your own home after attending a workshop with us. For more information about the workshop and to contact me, see our website: http:www.disputantacob.com
Regards ~ Diane
Hi Diane! Thank you so much for responding. Saw your website and it looks great what you’re doing 🙂 Sent you a message over there. Thanks again and have a happy night!!!
Hi Please let me know when you find something, I have similar interests myself!
Check out mayacreek.org for upcoming 2013 learning hands on programs. I believe 2 month min stay. I don’t belong to this group, but just came across the website and seen that they need help with projects. Thought I’d pass it on to this group.
Hi everybody, writing from Minnesota where the cold has driven me inside to drooling over “Tiny Homes” —
I had no idea such an active connection to builders was accessible and now here I am, so I’ll throw a message out here calling out for possible opportunities in the Upper Midwest this year, think WI-MN-Lake Superior. Know of any projects going on this summer? Inexperienced as builder, willing and eager learner-worker, hoping to branch out and learn as I go. Come Fall my partner and I will be looking to travel, US-based most likely, so any projects in OR-WA-CA-BC, or TN-SC-NC could align with some preexisting plans as well.
and Also Has anybody had positive WorkAway/WWOOF experiences relating to earth building?
All feedback appreciated and taken graciously. Thank you!
Hello all my name is Micah and I live south of Atlanta in georgia I am looking primarily for something along the lines of an internship or apprenticeship in natural building but if anyone knows of any natural building projects in georgia or just the south east I need the hands on work and would greatly enjoy and appreciate the opportunity for the experience.
Thank you all,
Micah
Hey Micah, several years ago, I spent a few years teaching mostly youth (thousands of participants) about natural “cob” or adobe building in Atlanta with that beautiful red clay rich dirt that is SO full of healing power. I left behind an ideal site next to a high school, primary school and community organization and garden – and unfinished structure (20ft diameter wall that is about 6 ft high) near downtown ATL. I could easily take you through my curriculum (which I’ve developed over the last 10years in Mexico, USA and now Australia) via correspondance, to take over and lead the program. I have a Facebook Page called “Mud Fun”
Ratsack, there is a group in Atlanta doing some amazing work with cob you may wish to contact: Mud Builders of Atlanta is the fb page.
yes! that would be Aviva. Have thoust had the chance to mudify with her?
Indeed I have, on several occasions, I count Aviva as one of my close mud slingers.
Hi, we are traveling the west coast learning and getting involved in Natural Building & Permaculture. We have done a number of work trades that involved mostly plastering and we are ready to learn something else. We also have experience with cob benches and ovens. We would especially like to learn about foundation work as well as roof work. Depending on the project details, we may be willing to travel anywhere here out west.
Vancouver, WA: we’re going to be building a cob garden gazebo starting the first weekend in May and we’ll work weekends until its complete. We also hope to build either a pizza oven or barrel oven in the gazebo so that our little community can bake bread. We’re easy to find and right on public transport. Great opportunity to learn cob basics.
Cari – finally a cob project close to me! I live in Portland, OR and would love to help out in May. Please keep me posted!
Hi there Megan and Doug – just keep watching this spot and I’ll be posting more details closer to the time. Just wanted to put it out there for people who like to plan far in advance. Glad you’d like to join in the fun.
hey cari – yes keep me posted as well – i’m in Colorado now but can easily move – doug mackenzie
Cari- this sounds so awesome! i am also in portland, and will be available in may. i’d love to help out!
Hi there,
My husband and I live in Portland and are also interested in learning and helping! He’s experienced with household renovations, but neither of us have built cob. We will keep checking on here to get more details, or shoot me an email. Thanks : )
well good news on our front, we have learned that there are no restrictions on the county level for the area we are going to build in. So if all continues to go well we should be able to start building in May. 🙂
I am looking for a cob or natural building project for my homeschool group to participate with the building. We are in the Metro Atlanta area, but willing to drive a few hours, if necessary.
My family of five are fixing to move to oklahoma and are wanting to build a cob house on family property we would like to use every thing we can from the 160 acres but we don’t know where to start any advise would be help full and greatly appreciated we are still trying to get information about the building codes of the county
If I were building with cob or similar I would go around the property and collect samples of the soil like in jars and keep track of where they came from. Hopefully
you will have a spot where there is the right mix or 2 or 3 spots where you can get clay and usable soil and sand and create the right mix. Lots of good books on the subject.
On an aside, a couple of years ago when
we could still raid the landfills I grabbed an 8 foot in diameter aluminum satellite
dish. I figure this would be an ideal unit
to mix cob in. Just lay it down on the ground and dump in the mix and add water and willing feet to mix it up. The materials naturally tend to work down to the center.
Hope this helps,
LeRoy
Argentina opportunity!
We are building couple of houses with adobe, cob and straw …. We need some helping hands to do all the clay plaster….
Please check our blog for more info about our permaculture project .
Thanks!!!
Shamballapermaculture.com
I dream of building my own Cob home and would like to have first hand experience. I would like to help you realize your dream while learning along the way.
I live in Atlanta GA and would be willing to travel.
Let me know if we can mutually help each other.
Thanks!
Offen,
There is a group in Atlanta that is going to be building this weekend! It’s called Mud Builders of Atlanta. They have a facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/115213895546/
Thanks, I have just contacted them. Hopefully I’ll have some dirty hands by the end of Saturday!
Hi Everyone!
I run the Eden Grove project and am getting ready to start building a small library/study/office/bathroom out of cob.
I am getting the design finalized and will be starting the foundation and underground plumbing soon. Would like to start the cob construction (post foundation) in mid to late Spring. I am looking for people that are interested in helping in this project and want to learn how to cob. We have a small travel trailer where one or two people can sleep, and there are plenty of beautiful and secluded places to camp.
Please contact me if you are interested.
Thanks,
Emory
http://www.eden-grove.com
214-732-9132
emoryrichey@hotmail.com
Hello- I am excited to of found my way to you.
I began looking on Facebook at Trailerchix and as only the internet can do here I am….
Do you know of any Cob or other buildings in Costa Rica? I have a piece of land I think would suit this nicely.
Have no idea how to begin,again-so here I am.
Any direction much appreciated.
Happy New Year!
holly
Heyo everyone!
The lady, the pup and I are looking for a cob internship pretty much anywhere in the United States.
We are about to finish up a WWOOFing internship in Florida coming up at the turn of the year, and would be able to travel to you via automobile around the middle of January.
We have some experience with cob and are super excited to learn as much as possible.
Thanks thanks
Reedo–
Hello,
my name is Vee and it’s a big dream for me to learn how to build Cob Homes/Houses. I’m a girl, but strong and I love to work with my hands. So I’m looking for a work exchange. I think it’s a brilliant idea to offer labor and get education and experiences.
Write me!!! 😉
hi vee
we are in the process of selecting and preparing a building site – we are in Colorado – where are you?
we expect to prepare the site and start the foundation as the weather permits – stay in touch
Doug, where in Colorado? My husband and I live in Boulder and are looking for hands on experience.
Hello Vee,
I am looking for an apprentice proceeding the next workshop, April 16 to 20, here in Kentucky. I am an experienced builder with cob, and have taught numerous workshops on the subject. A few of my graduates have gone on to build their own homes/art studios. Our building school is Disputanta Cob. Disputanta is a small progressive rural community close to Berea, KY. Email me to start a dialog if you are interested. dianejennings@disputantacob.com
Regards,
Diane
Hi there – We are a couple looking for a work-exchange natural building opportunity. We both have some experience with natural building including straw bale, cob, and rocket-mass heaters, as well as experience with Permaculture farming. We are particularly interested in working with straw bale and timber-framing construction. Location and start dates are very flexible; we will be happy to send more info about us to anyone who has an opportunity. Thanks for your time!