tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81529669107394225342024-02-20T05:29:47.126-05:00Athens Ohio PermacultureKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05876250472653742490noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152966910739422534.post-3824842137688512372014-02-03T13:58:00.000-05:002014-02-03T13:58:33.106-05:00Sustainable Living and Permaculture Design Course 2014<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18.488887786865234px;">Join Solid Ground Farm for six weekends of targeted education to familiarize participants with all aspects of sustainable living and permaculture design. Each weekend is run by a regional expert and will feature local practitioners sharing their experiences, plus site visits to local farms and homesteads, and hands-on projects. Experience the 72 hour Permaculture Design Course as it applies directly to our region, as we learn to design, build, and grow a sustainable future. Sign up for weekends of interest or take the full course to ear</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18.488887786865234px;">n a permaculture design certificate.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.solidgroundfarm.com/permaculture-design/spring-pdc/517-2/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">March 15-16 Theory and Principles of Permaculture</a><br /><a href="http://www.solidgroundfarm.com/permaculture-design/spring-pdc/forest-garden-design/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">March 22-23 Forest Garden Design</a><br /><a href="http://www.solidgroundfarm.com/permaculture-design/spring-pdc/building-fertility/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">April 5-6 Building Fertility and Soil Health</a><br /><a href="http://www.solidgroundfarm.com/permaculture-design/spring-pdc/integrative-livestock-management/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">April 12-13 Integrative Livestock Management</a><br /><a href="http://www.solidgroundfarm.com/permaculture-design/spring-pdc/natural-building-basics_/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">April 26-27 Natural Building Basics</a><br />May 3-5 Strategies for an Alternative Nation<br /><br /><br />Learn more by visiting the course webpage: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.solidgroundfarm.com%2Fpermaculture-design%2Fspring-pdc%2F&h=lAQFeGazx&enc=AZP2Lee2eytR5CRmqeS5OgXihztFUkaT4dn0zgcBf6Xnx9VVCMk2-ONj-rEggj1wd6M&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://<span style="display: inline-block;"></span>www.<wbr></wbr>solidgroundfarm.com/<span style="display: inline-block;"></span>permacultu<wbr></wbr>re-design/<span style="display: inline-block;"></span>spring-pdc/</a> or contact Weston Lombard @ <a href="tel:740-856-6299" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+17408566299">740-856-6299</a> or <a href="mailto:westonlombard@gmail.com" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">westonlombar<wbr></wbr>d@gmail.com</a><br /><br />The cost for the six weekend course, including camping, meals, course materials, and your Permaculture Design Certificate is $500 (or $100 per weekend). Some work trade may be available for special cases.</span>westonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12997772344907587047noreply@blogger.com0Millfield, OH 45761, USA39.4327866 -82.09664420000001439.4205226 -82.116814200000007 39.4450506 -82.076474200000021tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152966910739422534.post-4982362745366563302012-12-09T11:09:00.000-05:002012-12-09T11:10:14.812-05:00Weekend Permaculture Design Course for Practitioners<h1>
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<strong>Dates</strong>: March 16-17, March 23-24, April 6-7, April 13-14, April 20-21, April 27-28, May 4-5.</div>
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<strong>Location</strong>: Solid Ground Farm 13262 Liars Corner Rd, Millfield, OH 45761<br />
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<strong>Description</strong>: Designed for practitioners by practitioners this hands-on course explores the standard 72-hour Permaculture cirriculum through seven weekends of focused learning. In addition to exploring the theories and principles of Permaculture and ecological design, through many site tours, projects, and interactive learning sessions, participants will experience Permaculture as it relates to the Eastern Forest Region. Full of special guest farmers, academics, area experts, designers and do-ers, our teaching team offers firsthand knowledge on all aspects of sustainable living.<br />
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<strong>Instructors</strong>: Rebecca Wood, Kurt Belser, R.E. Hogan, Mark Cohen, Weston Lombard, <span class="il">Kathy</span> Jacobson, Pete Woyar, Kevin Polk, and many more.<br />
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<strong>Cost</strong>: $700-900<br />
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<strong>Website</strong>: <a href="http://www.solidgroundfarm.com/?page_id=35">http://www.solidgroundfarm.com/?page_id=35</a><br />
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<strong>Contact</strong>: Weston Lombard <a href="tel:740-856-6299" target="_blank" value="+17408566299">740-856-6299</a>, <a href="mailto:westonlombard@gmail.com">westonlombard@gmail.com</a></div>
westonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12997772344907587047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152966910739422534.post-58204108643862693032012-01-27T13:06:00.004-05:002012-01-27T13:10:50.822-05:00Spring Permaculture Design Course DiscountMarch 18-25 PDC at Solid Ground Farm<br /><br />Now offering a "Brown Bag Special" discounted rate to locals. Get your Permaculture Design Certificate for only $600 if you bring your own meals, or $500 if you get a friend to sign up also.<br /><br />Contact <a href="mailto:westonlombard@gmail.com">westonlombard@gmail.com</a> 740-856-6299 or visit <a href="http://www.solidgroundfarm.com/?page_id=35">http://www.solidgroundfarm.com/?page_id=35</a> for registration information.<br /><br />Offer ends Feb 27westonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12997772344907587047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152966910739422534.post-42749843017334193512012-01-08T21:37:00.003-05:002012-01-08T21:44:56.167-05:00Spring Permaculture Design Certificate CourseEIGHT-DAY PERMACULTURE DESIGN CERTIFICATE COURSE <br /><br />Join Wayne Weismen and the <a href="http://www.permacultureproject.com">Permaculture Project</a> for a weeklong ecological design immersion.<br /><br />Sponsored by <a href="http://www.solidgroundfarm.com">Solid Ground Farm</a>, <a href="http://www.oeffa.org">Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association</a>, <a href="http://www.sandridgebandb.com">Sand Ridge B and B</a>, and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/deepgardendesign/">Deep Garden Design</a>.<br /><br />Sunday March 18-Sunday March 25, 2012<br />Solid Ground Farm Athens, Ohio<br /><br />Explore the concepts, theories, and practice of Permaculture design. Experience Permaculture applied directly to the Midwest, as you live and learn with practicing ecological designers on Solid Ground Farm. Discover the interrelations of natural building, sustainable agriculture, biomimicry, broad-scale site design, local economies, local ecosystems, earthworks and waterways. Sure to be an exciting week of on-site projects, lectures, special guest teachers, site walks around the area, and fun nightly activities from African drumming lessons, to Capoeira and yoga classes. Come join the fun.<br /><br />Cost: $800-$1000 (sliding scale) base fee includes space for onsite camping, three meals a day, textbook and access to online resources, and a certificate from The Permaculture Project, LLC. For offsite accommodations please contact us. Pre-registration required. Register by sending a check written out to RAW (along with your name, address, phone number and email) to Solid Ground Farm, 13262 Liars Corner Rd, Millfield, Ohio 45761. For more information, contact Weston Lombard at 740-856-6299 or <a href="mailto:westonlombard@gmail.com">westonlombard@gmail.com</a> or visit <a href="http://www.solidgroundfarm.com">http://www.solidgroundfarm.com</a>. Space is limited.westonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12997772344907587047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152966910739422534.post-88631928900992660452010-11-22T23:00:00.001-05:002010-12-18T11:08:39.829-05:00Tool Sharpening at Connie'sHi Everyone-<br />
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I agreed to post an email about our get-together yesterday and the mini discussion Molly led with Connie, Kevin, Kimberly, Jason and me at the table. We also had a great time sharpening our tools and mending clothes, something we might do every year around this time as we put our gardens to bed. We laughed a lot and ate some great food.<br />
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Here's a quick review:<br />
We are going to meet again in January. Please tell us a few Sunday afternoon dates that work for you.<br />
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Two ideas for that meeting were presented. Let us know which appeals to you as they are each deserving of a full meeting:<br />
<ol><li>That we meet back at Connie's and do an intentional look at her property with permaculture in mind. If we do that, perhaps we could start by hearing (or reading beforehand) Connie's dream for the property, so we are looking towards that. We could break into a few small groups that would look at different parts and come back with recommendations. There are some folks in the community who Connie could then hire to do a more detailed design to get her started on implementation.</li>
<li>That we meet and do some reflection and planning about our group identity and the year ahead. How do those of us who want to meet face-to-face and do some work together want? Some of us want to do outreach to the larger community as well as skill sharing both among ourselves and as an outreach activity. Do you have other ideas for this meeting topic?<br />
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</ol>We talked about how we might all communicate with each other and have more discussion outside the meetings and it was suggested that the reply all function on the email can get overwhelming. Kevin said he could set up a list serve for the group, and if we do a good job of subject fields, we can get in on discussions that interest us and opt out of those that don't more easily.<br />
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I brought up the idea of marking the calendar with times that certain activities happen annually--like maple syruping in February, Canning & Freezing when we have surpluses, Tool maintenance at the end of the season (November). I would add to that perennial planting in March/April, and mushroom logs in March. We also discussed planning a talk (outreach) and Kevin told us he will be doing a talk on the spirituality of the soil at the Unitarian in February. Molly said she will do flyers to get the word out and that might be something many of us can try to attend.<br />
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Now that I have certification in Permaculture Design, I want to hone my skills as a designer. I'd like practice through our group (along with partners who want to do this kind of work).<br />
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As far as an intention for the group, I'd like to build a core or cluster around community design where we work on designing neighborhoods or properties that will serve more than one family or household. Is anyone else interested in that?<br />
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So, now it's your turn. What do you think you'd like to do in January? What did I forget to include here?Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05876250472653742490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152966910739422534.post-76396412739303527202010-10-10T23:00:00.001-04:002010-12-18T11:08:55.665-05:00Cob Oven at Kev & Kimberly'sOn 10/10/10, a dozen permaculture enthusiasts from the area helped us start a cob oven.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvkD487CtTtAy-6ukX5IyVylS0vc56bc7S-i0NhMekqFgtembj_bnHB4ia_iJrLrzYNirH7wTo-t2omLyRDZUDR33an7vx6-qV2xyntrK4MfrTZ743flB4707Wg6jx629SP0iuZ1OPflm/s1600/cob-day1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542950379312763602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvkD487CtTtAy-6ukX5IyVylS0vc56bc7S-i0NhMekqFgtembj_bnHB4ia_iJrLrzYNirH7wTo-t2omLyRDZUDR33an7vx6-qV2xyntrK4MfrTZ743flB4707Wg6jx629SP0iuZ1OPflm/s400/cob-day1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Anika, Weston, Connie and Kevin work on the base of the oven. Weston built his own cob house this summer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SZwg3sM_ufhMrwH8HcLro0PKCmXK1fo3dBkN62gqDct3Yw0GbQyhq3cfO3dKHFoXdL4jVWF6fkZuo5FQYwI7P9J2D1VXCFIvg5PXw-vbSSlzeNLHaJyrN0pBEYojExoktmXNTQROuPD5/s1600/cob-pit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542951945158805202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SZwg3sM_ufhMrwH8HcLro0PKCmXK1fo3dBkN62gqDct3Yw0GbQyhq3cfO3dKHFoXdL4jVWF6fkZuo5FQYwI7P9J2D1VXCFIvg5PXw-vbSSlzeNLHaJyrN0pBEYojExoktmXNTQROuPD5/s400/cob-pit.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Prior to the work day, we got some gravel and sand from a quarry 2 miles away. We dug a foundation pit and saved the clay for building material. We dug it about 20 inches deep. 30 would have been better, both to protect against frost heave in winter, and because we eventually needed more clay.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8iVPQjCrLRDoTt1OOKNY7bv9rnsDJM_YWxGrVGp6SCq5eY0uCuEPnJJGzYrHSVWUZLQzX8n3VZ1ZSI6A0uCwqfpBUFAnsAZoL14NkxPN9NVff01RpMCdwMzaZk7ytajHZsw4FvLgSgCf/s1600/cob-mixing.jpg.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542951560141729778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8iVPQjCrLRDoTt1OOKNY7bv9rnsDJM_YWxGrVGp6SCq5eY0uCuEPnJJGzYrHSVWUZLQzX8n3VZ1ZSI6A0uCwqfpBUFAnsAZoL14NkxPN9NVff01RpMCdwMzaZk7ytajHZsw4FvLgSgCf/s400/cob-mixing.jpg.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Cob is a British word for a gob of clay, sand and straw. You mix these materials with a little water using bare feet. Anika, Jason and Eliza mix while Mollie looks on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEYGpnvd31BvsrCg8iIXFUzP1_jhge0XOA08ai2KzwqmGKYOMPrJLjjOrI_6rPdZvb2KtCR7APWyn89W3WTh4WBwUP9YalwLsFw8-2BXQyp-d4kFngZ9xi0-CareIAcFSu9cNJ8HR67Or/s1600/cob-foundation.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542947798811371250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEYGpnvd31BvsrCg8iIXFUzP1_jhge0XOA08ai2KzwqmGKYOMPrJLjjOrI_6rPdZvb2KtCR7APWyn89W3WTh4WBwUP9YalwLsFw8-2BXQyp-d4kFngZ9xi0-CareIAcFSu9cNJ8HR67Or/s400/cob-foundation.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Dan works on the foundation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO71P6kEHzv9Be0iRlEc3SFa47Glgs2R0RUKfiXPcJ9IrnSx9rSYOouj-r6qTSXDxjAlsudY6CDXJ8PF8BO9G_eapk72ElSE1bEttvNlO-tZirf12-LbkDqFDaJ-4fyoSgoEJDkQkuTOck/s1600/corbels.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542950228742434178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO71P6kEHzv9Be0iRlEc3SFa47Glgs2R0RUKfiXPcJ9IrnSx9rSYOouj-r6qTSXDxjAlsudY6CDXJ8PF8BO9G_eapk72ElSE1bEttvNlO-tZirf12-LbkDqFDaJ-4fyoSgoEJDkQkuTOck/s400/corbels.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>We made the walls of cob during the work day. Later on, to gain experience with different techniques, we built a cantilevered arch out of <span style="font-style: italic;">corbels</span>, or cobs with long, parallel straws added for strength. This took over a week, because each layer had to dry before we added the next one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrODnLNBeIEJfdAWLPwMJ8j10U_uCxZpaNHEq65tpRI-b_gsWcK8WAuV09rsYSXJc6BPUxiLIy_4vXONsqkj8y2eh5LSZqPoQ9MMnpWyqbvz152tNJkvHOHDwSGBXFoaykxyT2hj8A3Y4/s1600/cob-base.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542950124431405410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrODnLNBeIEJfdAWLPwMJ8j10U_uCxZpaNHEq65tpRI-b_gsWcK8WAuV09rsYSXJc6BPUxiLIy_4vXONsqkj8y2eh5LSZqPoQ9MMnpWyqbvz152tNJkvHOHDwSGBXFoaykxyT2hj8A3Y4/s400/cob-base.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The completed base with corbel-arch firewood storage.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7KvwQN7hqDpaZ_fpDVgAOfczU0P0TaFi6YYVohryVPnqOXIIea8VvV_voIYZ7EaYoVYuFF9j9gwA5CjQV3e-7hQxJXkI_FbW94yTJ8hKB5EgUK8yBgvYcdNo4yFA5xHKdZmkwX9f8fnS/s1600/firebricks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542952697168405650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7KvwQN7hqDpaZ_fpDVgAOfczU0P0TaFi6YYVohryVPnqOXIIea8VvV_voIYZ7EaYoVYuFF9j9gwA5CjQV3e-7hQxJXkI_FbW94yTJ8hKB5EgUK8yBgvYcdNo4yFA5xHKdZmkwX9f8fnS/s400/firebricks.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>We lay down sand, then firebrick to form the fire and cooking surface.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EGo-TIPKcMffQSF37WhsEZLOACuOlcH0vtN8JEkWA5fnl6JwGUSju6r2mU59cLSittsdiD4RoASbLHsm6a5Efb8DlbxKEoZGwTx27TrBRsDP6YeD4b8cD20PKdPKxpd1G0islo80B3FR/s1600/sand-form.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542949840904572530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EGo-TIPKcMffQSF37WhsEZLOACuOlcH0vtN8JEkWA5fnl6JwGUSju6r2mU59cLSittsdiD4RoASbLHsm6a5Efb8DlbxKEoZGwTx27TrBRsDP6YeD4b8cD20PKdPKxpd1G0islo80B3FR/s400/sand-form.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The sand form for the oven cavity is about 70% as high as it is wide.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pt5pMCPmBngBwfVV7t-HZ69XKW1vYt4JA7LNo2WnTTyaBv4h-iLuTlxw5CqLm7wiaNqAMwgyOL5h2LICTf1jPYK8EvixeqwE4qX_LoQhh10Yc8jBBnt6-xB6mT9yo4vHplxGTc6vP-o-/s1600/sand-form-kimberly.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542949205575336818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pt5pMCPmBngBwfVV7t-HZ69XKW1vYt4JA7LNo2WnTTyaBv4h-iLuTlxw5CqLm7wiaNqAMwgyOL5h2LICTf1jPYK8EvixeqwE4qX_LoQhh10Yc8jBBnt6-xB6mT9yo4vHplxGTc6vP-o-/s400/sand-form-kimberly.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Kimberly starts to build the inner dome. This sand-rich cob will hold the heat from the oven fire. There's no straw in this mix. The cob blocks are pressed into each other, not into the form.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygD3bOM5dAC6Qu2q-6u55F6yUr0GBWjGCfbnwPZrlS8tMorskDMjEn0liQpThG944rrkKJm-oe96PwO8NDG5EIcmtMclYYi9YzUFklOwB0LIxOGUOmKmFd-J-KRLyokkp26eOeNUAxaTY/s1600/inner-dome-kevin.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542949026967696370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygD3bOM5dAC6Qu2q-6u55F6yUr0GBWjGCfbnwPZrlS8tMorskDMjEn0liQpThG944rrkKJm-oe96PwO8NDG5EIcmtMclYYi9YzUFklOwB0LIxOGUOmKmFd-J-KRLyokkp26eOeNUAxaTY/s400/inner-dome-kevin.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Kevin finishes the inner dome.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzL8CXpEhvIP33Fgf5vkilOn2LL1TOzam61Aed4m6Zhe0vhIDTqejoOGUnRe21tcPvaqpSPrN3ha2rKAhbCsUXUStE2n2h10pkE3DhqpHUBbSx3g3dKPP1tsNtwl21rEtoyfwEoygiiFi_/s1600/outer-dome.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542948749216107970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzL8CXpEhvIP33Fgf5vkilOn2LL1TOzam61Aed4m6Zhe0vhIDTqejoOGUnRe21tcPvaqpSPrN3ha2rKAhbCsUXUStE2n2h10pkE3DhqpHUBbSx3g3dKPP1tsNtwl21rEtoyfwEoygiiFi_/s400/outer-dome.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The outer dome uses vermiculite rather than sand. This provides insulation. Straw provides structural strength and further insulation. We knit the cobs into each other using a wooden "cobber's thumb."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjZiCzUkQwgUCc8Z30HEMrfk7YVEA2VFIDjYHa_fkoRX4kxoblhIKCmjpbqLXeMJvuEC51h9BN91oGYiCQPZVyKGdcjllEyVGAC0YI0B8KQFgG2aySDGOXDsgoDlCzS2nxsBArxDOA0VB/s1600/sand-scooping.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542948589521520882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjZiCzUkQwgUCc8Z30HEMrfk7YVEA2VFIDjYHa_fkoRX4kxoblhIKCmjpbqLXeMJvuEC51h9BN91oGYiCQPZVyKGdcjllEyVGAC0YI0B8KQFgG2aySDGOXDsgoDlCzS2nxsBArxDOA0VB/s400/sand-scooping.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>With the dome nearly complete, we cut into the wall and scoop out the sand. This hole became the door of the oven. The oven is 11 inches tall inside, and the door is 7 inches. 7/11 is a good ratio for efficient fires. This photo was taken November 22.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31ndOxJZa07Wx_fPFTu29KzPe-2HyGL60UB-eKUomHdkkUs0IIa2LtAfRhJ9vYCY73ahyczOtNWeT3CWcxyNaN6q_qgv-UPYRJUmtRwyWzGjYdyhNWd_242gtPm4lmUE1klblDTJ6W6hg/s1600/cob-finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31ndOxJZa07Wx_fPFTu29KzPe-2HyGL60UB-eKUomHdkkUs0IIa2LtAfRhJ9vYCY73ahyczOtNWeT3CWcxyNaN6q_qgv-UPYRJUmtRwyWzGjYdyhNWd_242gtPm4lmUE1klblDTJ6W6hg/s400/cob-finished.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The dome finished, but still drying. We need to keep it under a tarp much of the time so the rain doesn't wash it away. We lit a small fire once to speed the drying. But before we start cooking with it, we plan to plaster and whitewash it.<br />
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This project gave us some experience with earthen materials before we design our cob cottage this winter. A cob oven can supposedly crank out pizzas every 3 minutes for hours from just one firing. It may even remain hot enough to bake cookies the next day. When the weather warms up again, we'll fire it up and see how it works!Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05876250472653742490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152966910739422534.post-5856643362364854602010-03-01T00:00:00.001-05:002010-12-18T11:09:10.220-05:00Gathering at Michelle'sHi Everyone-<br />
This message is to update everyone on our meeting, potluck, seed swap and beginning plans for the coming growing season.<br />
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<b>Who came?<br />
</b>Bob (ManyNames), Brandon, Bridget, Danny, David, Kevin, Kimberly, Kurt, Lily, Marcia, Michelle, Naomi, Sarah, Star, & Weston. <br />
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<b>Newcomers<br />
</b>Kimberly and Kevin Polk joined us. They have just moved to Vore Ridge (on Friday) from Bloomington IN, where they were part of a <span class="il">Permaculture</span> Guild which includes two teachers who taught at Greenfire a few years back--Peter Bane & Rhonda Baird. We welcome them to our circle.<br />
Kurt Belser and Sarah Fick came over. Kurt is part of a budding community with Brandon, Sasha, Ross, and me. He is going to be teaching a weekend design course in May in Meigs County. Sarah is part of Casa Nueva, where she works on Human Resources.<br />
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We ate well, as usual, with special enjoyment of Marcia & David's sweet potatoes from last season. <br />
Kurt is teaching a weekend design course in May. He's awaiting news about whether there is room left in the course and will let us know. <br />
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Lots of seed exchanged hands<br />
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<b>Discussion</b><br />
We had a short discussion about the coming year and started divvying up the growing season for work days.<br />
We agreed that we want to identify areas of knowledge we want to enhance, Here's what we heard--<br />
Pruning<br />
Forestry<br />
Greenhouse Design<br />
Guilds<br />
Building<br />
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Some of us want to use our list serve which is just an email list now, to share resources. Weston sent out a request for old blankets, for example. <br />
So what do you need, what do you know about, and what do you have to share? Let's flood our email list with this sort of thing.<br />
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We agreed that work projects on our work days can be income generating to the host. An example is working on getting starts going with Marcia, who will sell at the market this year. Some of us might think about contracting with her or trading for starts of varieties we like. Thoughts?<br />
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We started laying out the calendar for the next season--If it says TBA, let us know if you can lead a work party for three hours and host a potluck afterwards. We didn't talk about time of day, but we agreed on Sundays. I suggest 3-6 for work unless we are in the hottest months with longer days, then we may want to eat early and work in the evening. What do others think? <br />
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Here's the list of what we said for the coming year thus far.<br />
March 28-Marcia's seed start project<br />
April-Danny's for pruning?<br />
May-Bridget & Weston--tree planting<br />
June-TBA<br />
July-Kimberly & Kevin Polk<br />
August-<br />
Late September Brandon & Michelle's (planting garlic.. & TBA)<br />
October-<br />
November-Harvest Dinner?<br />
December-February-Potlucks and knowledge skill sharing<br />
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We agreed that given spring is a time of many needs, we can call upon each other for a "Work Burst" to get something done quickly with many hands at other times. This will be a good test of our ability to be spontaneous and our goal of not being too busy to be helpful with shorter notice. <br />
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Please update your email list to include all here (some of whom never come, but let's keep them on the list b/c they came at one time, or are in a nearby location to our original group.) I'd like to suggest we invite Jessica Fox and Ronda Clarke to join our group. <br />
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<b>A suggestion:<br />
</b>Might we graduate from the email realm to a listserv? Here are a few ideas-<br />
1. We start a list of our own<br />
2. We make a FB group<br />
3. We use <span class="il">Athens</span> grow (it has about 50 members right now)<br />
4. We use ohiofoodshed (a rural action ning that is all about food in our region)<br />
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Peace to all,<br />
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MichelleKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05876250472653742490noreply@blogger.com0