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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.
Top Events
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 am looking for any experience in cob building/ design anytime this late fall/ winter. I will be in Southern California, but willing to travel. Work trade is what I was thinking, but willing to hear of any other options! I have a lot of work experience in physical labor ( Forest Service and small farming), and want to learn more in having a self sufficient lifestyle. Hope to hear from you!
Hello Ali,
We will be hosting our most popular workshop, “From the Ground Up with Cob,” from October 1st through the 5th. We have a couple openings for work trades. We typically ask that you come a week ahead of time to help us get ready, then you attend the workshop without paying tuition in exchange for the work you have done. Check out our web site and the details at http://www.disputantacob.com If this seems like what you are looking for, call me at 606-256-8954.
Regards ~ Diane
Do you ever do anything in Wisconsin? I would love to learn or watch what you do!
Hi looking to get some experience and learn to build a cob oven any projects in or near nyc. Love to learn.
Hi, I live in Gastonia, NC and I am interested in helping anyone up to 4 hours away, I have no experience but I’m very diligent! shoot me an email if you need the help ciera(dot)s(dot)mack(at)g mail(dot)com
Hi Cat ~ We are technically out of your range, as we are outside of Berea, KY. Google Maps says that’s 5 1/2 hours away. But if you are open to expand your range, we are looking for a few folks to help us out the end of September in exchange for the October workshop. http://www.DisputantaCob.com
My wife and I are looking for a work exchange for the exposure and experience. We are in Windsor Ontario, so looking for something preferably something closer to us. I have extensive experience in conventional building, but none with natural materials.
Hello, I am looking to get some work exchange experience in the building of cob/natural buildings. I have no big commitments right now so I am pretty flexible. Hope this finds you well.
Ryan
Hi Ryan – where are you located?
Outside of Philadelphia
Any Florida homes going up ? Or Local workshops? im available to help and learn! s_nicole_00@yahoo.com
Looking to offer myself up as labor in order to learn new skills. I live in Portland, OR currently and will have the option to travel within a month. I’d love to get in contact with someone who needs a hand and is eager to teach.
-Donald
Hi! I live in NJ and can help with building. I would suggest u check out Sigi Koko and her work as well. She’s a super cool builder!
Sure thing, i am in lake county where are you located?
I would like to help build cob houses in Northern California. If anyone can help
Hello!
I’m available on the west coast and midwest of the US for work. Open to most work trade situations. I have no obligations so time frame is flexible. Trying to find something as soon as possible, though. Thank you!
Peace and Love.
Hello , I am looking for a work-exchange or workshop for this summer in Saudi Arabia , thanks an be in peace
Hello! I am looking for a work-exchange for the Fall season in or around the Salish Sea! Does anyone know of one, or have availability in their project? Kindly, Alex.
Hi,
Does anyone know how to go about finding certified natural builders or companies specializing in building with natural elements to help plan, design and build cob/earth bag homes? I live in NC and just closed on land literally yesterday, but don’t know where to begin to find builders/help/materials, etc.
Any help would be appreciated, thank you!
Hi I can help this winter
Hello,
My husband and I are looking to visit some existing Cobb or Earthbag Structures in the Southeast. We have some property in North GA and are wanting to build a Earthbag Home. We would love to volunteer and get some hands on practice if anything is in the Southeast. Please reach out to me via email to contact us if an opportunity arrises. stephaniewolfgang@yahoo.com
thanks,
Interested in earth friendly home workshops and hands on experience. I’m an artist living in Southern California, looking at buying property in New Mexico. To build our mortgage free tiny home.
Dear friends,
My land is available for workshops. I want to learn and build a cob hut and would like my 13 year old granddaughter to learn and build her own. She says, she wants to go feral for a while! I know what that means. I remember when I wanted to go feral at that age, I built a “house” inside a shrub at the end of our backyard. I Will exchange site use to teach your own small cob project workshops so we learn and build our huts. We will also facilitate some support for marketing and promotion. Aside from using the site for your workshops, we have many other advantages to offer, and will agree to any mutually beneficial aspect so our experience be full of joy and strength.
Our land is located in Buckingham, VA. If you have any ideas about my offer, please comment.
Thank you for your kind attention
I do not have enough experience to conduct a workshop yet, but I would like to use your land to practice constructing a cob cottage. I may be participating in a workshop soon, to gain more skills, even though this is not necessary in order to learn cob construction. All that is truly necessary is a good book, the supplies, and time. Please email me at jtchagbele@gmail.com if you are interested in my help.
Dear friends,
My land is available for workshops. I want to learn and build a cob hut and would like my 13 year old granddaughter to learn and build her own. She says, she wants to go feral for a while! I know what that means. I remember when I wanted to go feral at that age, I built a “house” inside a shrub at the end of our backyard. I Will exchange site use to teach your own small cob project workshops so we learn and build our huts. We will also facilitate some support for marketing and promotion. Aside from using the site for your workshops, we have many other advantages to offer, and will agree to any mutually beneficial aspect so our experience be full of joy and strength.
I was wondering if anyone was going to be doing a work party in the Seattle area this summer.
We’ll be doing work parties in Rainier, OR. Starting the foundation soon, and there will be opportunities to learn cob house building from the ground up. You can email me at buildingasimplelife at gmail dot com or respond here if you’re interested : )
Jessica
Hi Jessica,
I have a bit of experience with cob in Illinois with Marlin Nisson and Arkansas with Becky Bee. More details please. Could be interested.
Matthew – where are you located?
Hi – where are you located?
Hi! What ur cob collective and can anyone join? Thanks! With mud in my heart, K
Hi Kari,
We are currently accepting woofers and pushers for our work trade positions. Email me at cobcollective@gmail.com
Hi!
I’m really looking to get involved in what I think is the future. I think Cob is extremely versatile cheap and effective and as an artist it is a building/sculpting medium of choice. I’m only 18 now but i’m finished with high school and am taking some time for what I consider a proper education before college ( learning useful, practical, and relevant skills). I don’t have much money to spend on Cob workshops so I’ve been keeping my eyes open for volunteer work. I do have work experience and I’ve worked with cob a bit on my own. I’m eager to become a part of the cob community and learn what I need to, to build on my on and someday teach others how to build. Let me know if you still need/want the help! I’m here in WV so its not a very far drive.
Thanks! Sincerely a motivated builder.
You should be part of our team. Cobcollective@gmail.com
Hello Roan,
We are building with cob near frederick, md. We are having a work weekend june 28th but let me know what works for you. cobshed.blogspot.com
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 1st thru 5th and will include:
Natural Stone Foundation,
Building Cob Walls
Sculptural ~ Artistic Cob
Natural Plaster / Lime 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 contact me through our web site if you would like to get more information.
Regards,
Diane Jennings
Disputanta Cob
http://www.DisputantaCob.com
606-256-8954
Hi!
I’m really looking to get involved in what I think is the future. I think Cob is extremely versatile cheap and effective and as an artist it is a building/sculpting medium of choice. I’m only 18 now but i’m finished with high school and am taking some time for what I consider a proper education before college ( learning useful, practical, and relevant skills). I don’t have much money to spend on Cob workshops so I’ve been keeping my eyes open for volunteer work. I do have work experience and I’ve worked with cob a bit on my own. I’m eager to become a part of the cob community and learn what I need to, to build on my on and someday teach others how to build. Let me know if you still need/want the help! I’m here in WV so its not a very far drive.
Thanks! Sincerely a motivated builder.
Hello Roan,
Yes, we are still looking for work trades for the July workshop. Please call me after Tuesday to chat about the opportunity. I am finishing up a workshop this weekend through Monday. Our number is 606-256-8954. Or you can email me at dianejennings “at” disputantacob.com
Best ~ Diane
Hi, folks!
Shot in the dark, but my partner and I are interested in learning more about cob building. We’re located in VA and hope to someday build our own structure in the Appalachians. Is anyone starting to build their cob home in VA (surrounding areas)? Would love to volunteer and help, even with basic tasks! We’re eager to gain some hands-on experience.
If yes, please hit me up at: teacher.alys@gmail.com
Hi… im from good old blighty and I am coming to new hampshire usa in a couple of weeks, does anyone know anywhere I can visit/ see cob buildings and rocket mass heaters.
I am so keen on understanding them more… I have ianto Evans book, which is excellent but there a few things that would fall into place by actually seeing one (I think)
Thanks guys.
We are looking for someone interested in learning/practicing cob building to come a do a work exchange at our homestead anytime starting now until the fall–whatever period of time works for both of us. There will be a cob workshop here May 23-26 (we’re between Santa Cruz and Monterey on the central coast of CA) if you are interested in being here for that. We are in the middle of building two structures– a 240 oval living space and a 120 square potting shed. Other work needed is woodworking and organic gardening and we need someone who appreciates children (we have two– 6 and 1.5 years old), good organic food and homesteading. Enjoy your beautiful summer!
I am definitely interested! You did not leave any contact information and I couldn’t find anything via a quick google search. Could you please email me at llewelyn5749 [at] gmail.com
i emailed you, let me know if you did not get it
the workshop has been changed to 6/16-6/22.
Hi my partner and I want to build a earthbag cob etc home and I woild love to know more about your workshop. I am in a workshop now for a cob oven, so you can email me at cntrygrlsrbest33@aol.com
Thanks,
Angela
i emailed you, let me know if you did not get it
the workshop has been changed to 6/16-6/22. my email is terryellis3@juno.com
HI Terry, I’ll be in California this summer from Eastern Europe, and I would love to come help and learn. I helped build a cob house about 10 years ago in Sonoma county and have forgotten everything. I also very much want to learn more about gardening and such. I may have 10 days at the end of July while my son is at camp. I enjoy kids, i’m a montessori teacher. please write me at suffragettecity@seznam.cz thanks!
I am highly interested in a work exchange, please e-mail me at jtchagbele@gmail.com
Hi, Terry!
Do you need any more work traders?
If you are looking for help o.keenan [at] aol.com is my e-mail address.
Hey there! I’m looking to fill some free time with some knowledge and skills. I travel the country for work and will be in the south east for the next few weeks. I’m off from around the 19th til the 30th and will be in/around/between Alabama and Arkansas. If I can come for long enough I don’t at all mind going out of my way. Thanks!
Greetings Kelly,
We are a Natural Building School in Central Kentucky. The website below has upcoming workshops advertised, and our facebook page has recent workshop pictures posted for you to get a taste of what we do. We have two cob workshops fast approaching that we could use some help with getting ready. You could choose either or both as your schedule allows.
Basically, the work trade is three days before the three day workshop, in exchange for registration to that workshop. And similarly, five days of work proceeding the five day workshop, again in exchange for that workshop.
Please take a look and call me if you would like to get more information.
http://www.DisputantaCob.com
https://www.facebook.com/disputantacob
Regards,
Diane Jennings
Disputanta Cob
606-256-8954
Hi everyone!
I would love to help build cob this summer.
Anyone building in New England?
Hi! I’m a 51 year old woman, strong and capable, who would love some experience with cob building as it’s my dream to acquire some land and build a cob house for my retirement. Can probably do 3-4 day stretches. I like in Kingman, AZ and am willing to travel up to 5 or 6 hours to help out! Thanks!
Hi! Any Portland area folks interested in learning how to build balecob this summer? We’ll be building and looking for work exchangers.
I am not in that area. But is this something you are doing on weekend or throughout the week? Can travel for fully immersed learning!
I forgot to put my email which is llewelyn5749 [at] gmail.com
We will be working weekends to finish our cob house, beginning now (April 2014) until we are done (hopefully mid-summer 2014). This includes finishing an interior wall, cob furniture, mass earth floors, and the lime render on interior and exterior walls. We’re also doing other miscellaneous finish work, including breaking down pallets for our ceilings/attic room floor.
We are located near Warrensburg, Missouri, about an hour east of Kansas City (3 1/2 hours west of St. Louis) and welcome any helping hands!
Additional Details (Tentative Plan):
* Weekends in May: completing cob walls and furniture
* May 30-June 14: cob furniture and floor, touching up exterior walls, miscellaneous activities
* Weekends in June: finish floor, begin lime render, miscellaneous finishing activities
* Weekends in July: more lime rendering, miscellaneous finishing activities
Camping space available
Hi im interested in helping and a couple other people would like to come help. We are interested in learning how to build a cob house and thought this would be a great opportunity to learn. I live in odessa not far from warrensburg. When would be the best time to come help.
Hi, Cari,
We would love to have you out! Odessa is definitely not too far from where we are. We are hoping to get most of the cob work done this upcoming weekend (May 17-18), so that would be a good time to come. We may have just a little left to do the following weekend (May 24-26), but most of that will be finishing type work.
Send me an email through my website (www.ourfiveacres.wordpress.com), and I will get you my phone number and directions to our place.
Happy cobbing!
Andrea
Hello, My family and I are driving around Missouri looking for land to buy so we can build with cob and have a small farm. We have visited all over the eastern part and also the south. We are driving up central and will be looking for land near or in your area. Is there any way we can come by to see the house tomorrow (June 2) or even to get a little advice? It would be a real boost to us (my wife and three children) . If you will not be there we might be able to compensate you for your travel.
My number is 574 three 0 nine eight 7 1 5 and email is 2nddeal at gmail dot com
Thank you kindly for your earliest reply.
George
Hi, I am a 23 year old male, quite fit and willing to work hard! I cannot afford to attend a workshop and would love to get some hands on experience building with cob! Let me help you get that house built!
Hello Mathew,
We are going to be starting to be building in the next month or so (mid-late May to June or so to start building). I don’t know where you are located but if you are near us (my family of five) we would love your help!
Thank you.
I am interested in this opportunity. Please e-mail me at jtchagbele@gmail.com .
Greetings Mathew,
We are a Natural Building School in Central Kentucky. The website below has upcoming workshops advertised, and our facebook page has recent workshop pictures posted for you to get a taste of what we do. We have two cob workshops fast approaching that we could use some help with getting ready. You could choose either or both as your schedule allows.
Basically, the work trade is three days before the three day workshop, in exchange for registration to that workshop. And similarly, five days of work proceeding the five day workshop, again in exchange for that workshop.
Please take a look and call me if you would like to get more information.
http://www.DisputantaCob.com
https://www.facebook.com/disputantacob
Regards,
Diane Jennings
Disputanta Cob
606-256-8954
Typo in email I listed, it is NOT hottail:>
Would love to learn about /help with cob building. I am a travel RN so not sure where I am going next.
If you are near Kansas City, MO, you are welcome to come out! We’ll be working on various tasks from May-August.
If anyone is building in the Northeast of the US (VT, NH, ME, MA, NY, etc.), I’d love to help and learn more about cob building in hopes of building on for me and my family one day. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Hi Caitlin! I am looking into purchasing property in north-central MA, and hoping to build a cob house! I need to find out whether this is all feasible and am working on that now. Just wanted to reach out, let you know I saw your message, and that yes, we absolutely may be looking for help this year if all goes well! It could be a really fun experience with cool people on beautiful land. Fingers crossed!
Hi Jen! That’s great news. My husband and I would definitely love to help, so keep me posted!
Hello Jen,
Are you still building this summer? I would also love to help. I’m located in Columbia County NY, and have a little experience with cob, but am wanting some real ground-up house-building experience. Please enlist me!
If you live near Portland and are interested in learning how to build cob, come join us! Our family will be building our first cob structure in Rainier, OR. This is our first building aside from doing the 10 day workshop at Cob Cottage Company. So, we’ll be doing some work parties as well as some teaching/hand’s on days. The exact schedule is yet to be determined. But, we’ll start digging the foundation this month. We are strongly considering doing at least one cobwood wall. If you’re interested in coming to play in the mud with us, shoot an email. We have one daughter who’s almost three years old, so other families would be welcomed. There’s beautiful forest and farm animals. Also, we’re on the way to the coast. We’re hoping to find some semi-consistent folks who can learn how to build a cottage from the ground up. For drop-in folks, we’ll have a rough schedule of what we’ll be working on in the next month or so. Anyway, if you’re in the area, let’s connect! : ) Email us at b u i l d i n g a s i m p l e l i f e (minus the spaces) at gmail.com
If we can be of assistance we would love to help build a cob house. You are welcome to contact us when your ready and if we are available we will be happy to help.
If you are ever in or near Louisville, Ky. or Indianapolis, In, we would love to join in a work/share event! I am looking into building a business that will be built with autonomous design at its core. My daughter and husband are all about Cob, Strawbale and green roofing designs to say the least. Please come soon!!!
Going to be down “south” in your neck of the woods tomorrow and also two days after that. Looking for land in southern IN and also central or eastern KY that would be good for cob.
What do you mean about autonomous design?
Thank you.
Let’s help a local enterprise by using a local ‘man & van’ to shift our
weighty packing cases.
Damn it I had my message written and “it disappeared” !
So let me start by saying my skills do not lie in techi-ness!!! However I would love to open my heart to you all as I feel passionate about my message. My name is Chrissy, I am 26, born and raised on a farm in Ireland. During the days when I walked the farm with my Dad (copying how he walked with his arms behind his back!) I asked him one day “If I could have the farm when he died” Perhaps not what is on your mind walking through a field smelling wild flowers and avoiding stepping in cow pats!! But as Mel Gibson says in Braveheart “All men die but not all truly live” And at this age I knew I was living the life and beauty like this couldn’t be enjoyed so truly if you ignored any part of the circle of life.
Fast forward through teenage years of being “too cool” to farm (but being blessed by not having the option to opt out!!)
Fast forward to the concept “you need an education” so I played the game and met some amazing souls and who could have me laughing to tears daily! I studied Interior Architecture learning construction tech, building science etc. In my final year we watched the Garage Warrior and I took my final project on a building our college bought I interviewed those connected with the building and enviromentally minded people etc. My conclusion community connection my waste maybe your gold (coffee grounds for a landscaper not landfill etc.) And my design aspiration a tree (which I knew as a ankle biter!) which William Mc Donough explain best.
Fast forward to working in an Interior Arch firm in Toronto. Instantly I knew I was not in my calling Thankfully my boss agree and told me a couple of months later. Freedom came in my next job landscaping, it took me back the beauty touching all the senses. But something was missing.
Fast forward to camping with friends and stumbling upon a magical cob building in the woods in Salt Spring Island that had such a Mana it seemed to float.
Fast forward to an amazing summer of workshops and conversations with The Mud Girls http://mudgirls.wordpress.com/ the word awesome is over used but these gals are the definition.
Inspired (Phew I almost lost the text again so I may wrap up!!) I rode my bicycle in search of my passions art, woodworking, farming, building, people animals.
From Vancouver Island to Cali so many beautiful, inspiring people and projects and landscapes. From there I ended up in Hawaii and now Thailand all the time supporting myself mainly by barter and trading in time as my primary currency.
It has been magical event at times when I was in a pickle I have met the most amazing people, places and shared dreams, jokes, recipes and food ! But while in “Paradise” (Hawaii) one night I woke and although I knew I was “awake” when I looked around I saw my living room in my parents house. The next day I fought with inner child (the brains!) damn cant I just stay here surf, farm and sunbathe?!
It seemed safer to get back to traditional ways and play in new soils. But sitting in Thailand and having dreamed and inspired with other individuals at a farm I am currently volunteering at, I am at the edge of the cliff just about to jump in the water. I have a belly full of butterflies and I am ready to go home and jump in the water. ie. Start planting, experimenting playing with my parents and have an open door for those interested in what they maybe getting involved in if they wanna take the leap ! So this is a long winded message to give you a feel for what has pedaled me so far. What I hope to grow is the barter system in my life. Put into practise some of the things that excited me, making raw milk cheese, fermenting, kombucha, planting, weeding, weeding, weeding (thankfully friends, music and wise traditions talks speed it up!!) restoring the old farm houses on the land through natural methods, building a pole lathe for wood turning, hunting, implemeting the Weston A Price diet, making what I need, clothes, products etc bartering for things I wish for or paying for them in time and if not money. Having a space for people to come inspire on another or have some solitute or a cuppa tae (tea) ! How do I plan on doing this ????? I am going to head home my Dad is 65 on May 8 so I wish to be home on or before then I have no plan I will get dressed each morning with an aspiration for the day and then I will leave it up to the animals and the land to guide me ! So why am I posting on this ?! I wish to share the open door, I know what its like when you wish to see how the others live, we are located 50 miles North of Dublin city.
Enjoy the magic of the cob-web,
Aloha, Gra an Domain,
Chrissy
HI Chrissy
Loved you long message! I came from a farming background in Kilkenny and currently live in semi-detached house in an estate in Tipperary. My husband and three children are applying for planning permission to build a cob house in Kilkenny this year. My dad died last May and this has triggered us into action to make a move back to a corner of the farm. Our fingers are crossed that our planning will get through. It would be great to cross paths and meet like-minded people. Ian is heading to the Hollies in Cork this summer to attend an intensive Cob building course. Once we start we hope to live on site and gather interested people to help us build and have fun and spread the cob love! I hope all goes well with your return to Ireland.
Best wishes, Brigid
There is a building here I started cleaning up, I think slip straw would be a nice and fast insulator, I did some of this last year with some friends and music its a fun activity and since there is no heavy weight its easy for all ages. My email is cnihici@gmail.com if you wanna chat, il be visiting friends in tipp (cashel) and cork if you wanna get together for a cuppa and chat 🙂
Greetings. Me and my partner are looking for work shares occuring from mid-spring to late summer.
We can come out a couple days early and help with any labor that needs to be done in preparation for course and handle extra duties during the course.
We prefer complete builds and/or courses with emphasis on roofing (especially handcrafted from local timber). We have references.
We are based in the Southeast but welling to travel cross country for high level experince. Can feed ourselves, pretty much self sufficient (prior military).
Husband and I are looking to do a work exchange for a cobbing workshop somewhere near Virginia. Don’t mind going out of state, but can’t do cross-country (I’d love to, but hubby doesn’t want to drive that far…)
http://cobworkshops.org/event/natural-building-volunteer-workshop/
We are in Greensboro NC
I’m in the Asheville, NC area – looking for either work-exchange, workshops or “barnraising” partners with a bit more knowhow than I have. I want to build a tiny cob cottage to live off grid, but have no experience at all. Very happy to help others build, in order to learn.
Hello Christine,
We have a natural building group in South Carolina not to far from Asheville. We’re starting to get some events on the books for the 2014 natural building season. The children’s museum project will be interesting come down to Greenville on April 12th and help us sling some cob. Please let me know if you find any natural building projects going on around Asheville.
James Toye
http://www.meetup.com/naturalbuilders/
I have an immediate opportunity for up to four work traders at a 9 day cob workshop in Greensboro nc starting this Saturday, though coming for part of the workshop would be fine. Please call me at 216-225-4885. Thank you! – Christina
My boyfriend and I will be visiting Albuquerque, Santa Fe and the Grand Canyon in mid April and are looking for opportunities for learning about building with cob, especially some sort of work exchange program. Please let me know!
Looking for people in Kinston, Greenville area interested in Cob building.
Hi, I’m looking for anyone who’s willing to help me learn and/or build with cob in the Jacksonville, FL area. I’m in Orange Park, FL. Thanks.
I’m building a cob home this spring as soon as it warms up. here in Kentucky anyone interested contact me
Yes I would love to come learn and help please send me an email at kubwimana27@gmail.com I’d rather not put my phone number for the whole Internet to see
ill keep you up dated on this I’ve got to get some dozer work done first
my email rointincher@gmail.com I’ll start in march or April i’m in Jackson co.ky
I would be interested in helping. I live in Cincinnati, OH. my email is bnrhine@gmail.com
I live in the Cincinnati area and would love to come help and do some learning with your home
I’d love to come down to help and learn. Keep me updated please! anjp82@gmail.com
I am in Ron! We live near Louisville. Where are you?
Hi, I have an 11 Year daughter and I don’t believe that being a parent stops you completely from following your dreams, I believe it helps you to grow and be an example to your children. That us the reason I want to know if there is a way we can be accepted to your workshops. Ian a stay home parent that still breast feeds and have all the time of the world to help, learn, cook and share.
I’m building this for me and my nine year old daughter I’m tired of freezing . keep in contact with me and ill give you a time