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Wishing you Peace and Blessings.

Below is a request for help from Ben Barneveld, the project developer for the Whole Earth Consortium, whose mission is to enrich the world through sustainable development and education.
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Have a safe and fun Halloween. Of course, I hope that at least one of you plans to go as the Straw Man!

I won’t get political here by suggesting who to vote for, just that you vote. Simple and sincere: use your right to vote. In Oregon, and other states, you can cast your vote today via mail in ballots and early voting. I filled out my card last night and will drop it off today. Please do it now if you can so that you don’t miss the opportunity.

I have two spots left in the New York Workshop September 1-7 and only one spot left in the Jacksonville Workshop September 15-21. This is your last chance to sign up as I imagine the workshops will be full in the next few days. Please visit www.StrawBaleWorkshops.com for more information or to sign up.

I will be in Klamath Falls Oregon for the weekend helping to build a bale house. I guess it is more a mix of a bale raising and a class all at once. There are said to be 30 people on site waiting for me so I will either be without a voice next week or simply surrounded by a bunch of new friends.

If you need some help, here is a woman looking to help you. If you want to connect, please respond to this blog post and I will make sure you get connected.

Andrew
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Hi. I’m looking to get into straw bale building, and am a bit lost. I had set up a work trade this summer but unfortunately that had been postponed. So I would like to try, if possible to set up another or possibly an internship. Do you know of any one needing an extra pair of hands? I am very portable, love meeting new people and most importantly a very dedicated worker.

I am a very hands on person and completed a month long cob workshop in Baja Mexico, through Cob works, this spring where I learned, built and understood earthen floors, roofing, foundation, natural plastering and more. Now I would like to immerse myself in straw bale. So here is my cry for help, I need some experience. Or if there is any wisdom or knowledge you could pass my way, or names of people who might be able to help please let me know.

many thanks

Mandi

I always remind people to clear the loose straw from their job sites for several reasons. The first reason is always fire protection. The second is for slip protection. The third and new reason is for snakes!
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Photo from: www.marathonthreadscanada.com

I just wanted to let you know that I am on a short vacation in Victoria, British Columbia and so will not likely get out a post about how to be your own contractor this week. I planned to write one before I left, but did not find the time between packing and finishing up my seven day intensive straw bale workshop. I will write early next week, if not before. Sorry for the delay!

Okay so it’s not poop, but it could be from a distance! These are piles of extra concrete. It is so important to calculate materials well and it could be the straw that breaks your back. (I meant that pun by the way.) In this case, the truck load was too short for what the concrete guys had planned so they had to thin the slab thickness which ultimately left a lot of excess concrete. To be sure, I mentioned it to the concrete company owner. It was a mistake, and not a huge deal because the slab in this case was so small; however, on a big job, the little extras can run wild quickly.
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Hi everyone. I am working on an awesome project that I will release in the coming months on this website. The downside is that I am so busy working on it that I have to take a break from the blog for a while. I will still answer questions and post comments, but I will not be posting new material for a while. Thanks for understanding and I think you will all agree it will be WELL WORTH THE WAIT!!!!

Photo by R. Wibbs

The 7 Day Intensive Straw Bale Workshop in Bend, Oregon is almost full. If you want to be a participant in the April workshop, you need to sign up now before all the spots are gone. Visit www.StrawBaleWorkshops.com/Registration to sign up today. If you’re really lucky, I’ll wear my fancy little baling outfit again! I hope I can find the crown…
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I send thoughts of happiness and peace to all this day. Whatever you celebrate this time of year, I hope you are well and surrounded by friends and family.

I just wanted to send a quick note out to everyone to say Happy Thanksgiving. There is so much I am thankful for in my life and I hope you all find the gifts in your life today and every day.

Yahoo for me. Today is my birthday and I might actually take the day off! Okay that’s not true, but I will take part of the day off and spend the night having fun with my friends and family.

Wishing my mom a happy birthday! I know it must be a fun one because my sister just had a baby last week.
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