Visit some good friends of Blue Rock Station...

Earth Plastering /Strawbale Workshop

Saturday, Sunday - Aug  16th-17th

Last year we built the straw bale privy with a living roof near the lake at the Flying J Organic Farm near Johnstown, OH.  This year we aim to finish it.

If you have ever had a hankering to work with mud - now is your chance.

Most of this project was finished last summer - and our hope is to finish it up during this workshop.  With this in mind, we will focus most of our attention on the earth plastering aspect of the build.  But we will still delve into the theory and process of building with Straw Bales.

The Workshop Agenda includes:

• Orientation/quick tour of the Flying J Farm.
• Building a tire foundation
• Placing the bales
• Resizing bales of straw (cutting down and retying)
• Pinning and corseting the bales
• The theory of earth plastering.
• How to mix the various coats, including cobb, base coat, scratch coat, finish coat and exterior coats (areas exposed to the weather).
• Applying cobb.
• Applying the base coat.
• Applying the scratch coat.
• Applying the finish coats.
• Creating shelves or other free-form objects
• Finishing and sealing options.
• Mixing and applying the lime wash (finishing it off).

The Straw Bale Privy:

This basic project incorporates all the skills and techniques that you will need to tackle different size projects (like building your own dream mansion or a retreat out of straw bales).  But the scale of the project will be small enough for a beginner “green builder” to learn without being overwhelmed - useful techniques for big or small building projects.  

Given the size and nature of this project, we will cover the work site in a canopy (if necessary) - so the event will proceed rain or shine .

Come prepared to work hard, have fun, discuss politics, eat terrific locally grown food (lunches and snacks are organized), make friends, sweat, have a proper cup of tea - then sit in the shade and admire all you have accomplished.

Class size is limited to 12 students, so please reserve your spot early.  You will also see below that deep discounts are available to those who register early.  For reservations, call us at (740) 674-4300, e-mail annie@bluerockstation.com  or register instantly and pay by credit card by clicking the little buttons below...