Thursday, October 25th, 2007 | Popularity: 48%
If you have any other details about this program, I would love to hear about it. I would like to know who started the grant program, how it is funded, how owners cash in, what limitations are on the grant, and anything else you can tell me. I would love to use this as a pilot program for other towns, cities, counties and perhaps on the national level! Incentives work well for many people and perhaps a few areas offering incentives will help grow this powerful technology! If anyone out there has information about similar programs in other parts of the World, please let us know. When we gather this information together, we can start to look for similarities and ways to expand these programs. I am excited!
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I recently received a comment from a gentleman in Missouri who told me “…recently our area of Missouri approved a grant for the construction of straw bale homes offering a $15,000 construction reimbursement for the building of straw bale homes…” Wow! That is a great deal and something I would like to learn more about.
If you have any other details about this program, I would love to hear about it. I would like to know who started the grant program, how it is funded, how owners cash in, what limitations are on the grant, and anything else you can tell me. I would love to use this as a pilot program for other towns, cities, counties and perhaps on the national level! Incentives work well for many people and perhaps a few areas offering incentives will help grow this powerful technology! If anyone out there has information about similar programs in other parts of the World, please let us know. When we gather this information together, we can start to look for similarities and ways to expand these programs. I am excited!
Popularity: 48%
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Andrew Morison is a licensed contractor specializing in straw bale and green construction. He has shown thousands of people how to build their own straw bale projects through his comprehensive series of instructional straw bale, concrete foundation, and plastering DVDs. You can check these out at http://www.LearnStrawBale.com.
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October 25th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
I’m not sure where you got your info about the grant in Missouri, but I have been e-mailing Richard Lorenz with the University of Missouri extension and know that he is offering help with this same subject. His website is http://www.cardinalbluff.com/
Hope this helps.
October 26th, 2007 at 8:11 am
Andrew,
Yes we have a grant program in Missouri. It is a grant of $15,000 from HUD toward the materials to each of 10 houses. The grant is available in six counties in the south central region, Douglas, Ozark, Wright, Texas, Howell and Shannon counties. Top of the Ozarks RC&D Inc. in Houston, Missouri, obtained the grant from HUD and is managing the program. The homeowner, principal occupant, must build the house to the IBC and the Oregon Straw Bale Code and upon final inspection will receive the $15,000. There are no size or design requirements as long as the house meets the building codes. Our goal is to see 10 happy families living energy efficient in straw bale houses in the Ozarks For more information on this program contact Richard Lorenz at lorenzr@missouri.edu
October 29th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Darn. that puts me, in Henry County, a bit too far north! I would love to learn of things like this if they come to the Henry County area.
November 12th, 2007 at 10:28 am
I’m glad to see Missourians talking about this because I have felt alone in the interest of building a straw bale home here in Kansas City. I dream of one day owning a straw bale home. I was wanting to find out more about grants too. I thought the government gave a grant for environmentally friendly homes as long as you meet guidelines. Does anybody know anything about this? Also what can I/we do to get grants approved in our area?
Please feel free to forward this to anyone who may be able to answer my questions.
November 17th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
I was enrolled in the “Straw Bale Initiative.” I was the first one enrolled - and for a long time the only one. Perhaps I was the only one ever - I don’t know. I resigned from the program a few months ago. I don’t know if anyone else is actually enrolled and actively building a straw bale house. I don’t believe so. The program has been seeking home builders for about 2 or 2 1/2 years now. I am continuing to build my own home to, and beyond, the standards of the IBC, and where it applies, the Oregon Building Code - just not as a part of the program mentioned above.
November 17th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Bill,
What caused you to resign from the program? Are there things that could have been done better that might have kept you involved and/or enrolled more people?
Andrew
November 18th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Andrew,
The entire experience with the Straw Bale Initiative demonstrated to me the real meaning behind that old worn-out punch line, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help you.”
The nonsense was overwhelming.
Bill
November 19th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Thanks for the feedback Bill. I hope it helps those who may follow in your path towards the program.
Andrew
November 21st, 2007 at 8:01 am
To Bill Wright,
If you are still building or are considering constructing outbuildings, have you thought about hosting week-end straw bale workshops? I live in central Illinois. Most workshops I have found via the internet are 2 to 3 states away, or at least 7-8 hours drive away, but most of Missouri is only half a days drive. Thanks.
November 21st, 2007 at 8:38 am
Beth and Bill,
If that does happen, let me know. I have a pretty full workshop schedule in 2008, but could probably fit a weekend workshop in. Most of my workshops are 7 days long as this is a great length to really teach the details. A weekend workshop can work too, but it is certainly more rushed.
November 22nd, 2007 at 7:55 am
Oh, my! I had never considered such….. but…. perhaps… (For Beth and Andrew - let’s talk)
I have just received my straw and am about to place an order for the NHL (no, not hockey, lime). My house is 2640 sq ft so there will be plenty of bales to be placed and stuccoed. Hmmm, lots of learning possibilities, aren’t there?
November 27th, 2007 at 3:09 am
Hi guys!
I just discovered this site…fantastic! I live in Hawaii and I’m ready to partecipate in a hand-on workshop.I want to build my straw-bale house!Please let me know of any workshop happening in the west area. I can’t believe how much ignorance about straw bale construction is out there…when I talk about it most of the people think I’m pulling their leg…
Also, very interesting the government grant…Is there a way that I can start something here in Hawaii?
Aloha to everyone!
November 27th, 2007 at 7:26 am
Giovanni,
I am glad you like the website. I hope it continues to bing you the information you are looking for. In terms of workshops in the West, I have a number happening in Oregon, and other parts of the World as well. Check out www.StrawBaleWorkshops.com for more schedule information. For the government program, I think there is a lot of foot work to do before that would fly in a new area. Honestly, I am not sure what would have to happen to get it started, but I bet enthusiasm would be a good start!
Andrew
November 30th, 2007 at 7:11 am
Great site Andrew!
Bill in MO and Leslie and IL, let me hear from you. I have been studying strawbale for years and I am located in StL, MO. I have been dreaming of the day when i begin building my strawbale home so some practical experience and some people to talk to in the area may be the catalyst needed. You can reach me at tom_is@yahoo.com
January 16th, 2008 at 6:12 am
I too would be interested in a workshop if you do it Bill. I am in western TN and have thought about SB for many years, but never been involved with an actual build. You can email me at shane@scwdp.com if you do something.
Thanks
January 16th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Be sure to keep an eye on my workshop site www.StrawBaleWorkshops.com as I may be adding dates in your state or at least near you. I have a few more dates coming soon that I am in the process of securing locations for.
March 19th, 2008 at 5:17 am
Unfortunately, the grant program is restricted to Douglas, Ozark, Wright, Howell, Texas and Shannon counties, which are all in the middle of nowhere. What a cruel joke! Only a unabomber type would take them up on this offer. It’s about as desirable as a grant to move to Chernobyl.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:51 am
John said, “…program is restricted to Douglas, Ozark, Wright, Howell, Texas and Shannon counties, which are all in the middle of nowhere. What a cruel joke!”
Amusing, John. Those counties are in the Ozarks, which are all low income counties and obviously where such a program is most needed. The concept is marvelous; the administration of it - not so marvelous.
May 12th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Andrew, I bought your dvd and really enjoyed it. i am from Medford but havent lived there for 12 years. i am now moving to Joplin Mo and would like to build sb there.
I visit Medford just about every summer as all of my family stilll resides there. I would love the opportunity to see one of the homes that you have built.
I will be in touch with the others that live in MO that are interested in SB.
Thanks for your comitment.
Kirk Botefur