Jeff Rabkin

Timber Framing and Cordwood Masonry

June 25-29, with Rob Roy, author or the book,

Timber Framing for the Rest of Us

In this two-part workshop, learn both timber framing and cordwood masonry with the Godfather and Grand Dame of cordwood, Rob and Jaki Roy. Limited spots are available in this two-part action-packed adventure workshops. Take either one of the sections or take both. Both is better, and cheaper.

Learn the sustainable art of cordwood masonry, an old building technique combining the texture of stone masonry with the warmth of wood. Using short logs and a special mortar mix, you will create a sturdy, natural and uniquely beautiful structure. Cordwood houses are low in cost, use indigenous materials, and are easy and fun to build.

We’re building the Earthwood Sauna design from the bottom up, including the timber frame, cordwood infill and earth/sod roof.

Workshop Overview

Part One: Timber Framing for the Rest of Us – Two Days (June 25-26). This course covers basic “post and beam” construction as done by most contractors and owner-builders using sound building design and techniques using readily available mechanical fasteners made for the purpose. Morning classroom sessions cover structural principles and examples, including basic load calculations. During afternoon hands-on work sessions, students will build a 6-poster guest house. Each student in the course will be supplied with the textbook, Rob’s Timber Framing for the Rest of Us.

Part Two: Cordwood Masonry – Three Days (June 27-29). Morning sessions include cordwood theory, slide presentations, explanatory tours, and discussion of the three styles of cordwood construction: built-up corners (stackwall), round houses, and cordwood as infilling within a post-and-beam framework. The kinds of wood and how long to dry them is covered, as well as various alternative mortar mixes. Installing doors and windows is detailed, as is cordwood masonry “special effects.” Together, we will build a cordwood infilling within a small 6-poster timber frame. In addition, students will have the opportunity to consult with Rob about their own cordwood plans. This workshop gives the student a strong introduction to this ancient building technique.

The workshop includes lunch and snacks. You can stay in a nearby motel or camp on the farm. Breakfast and dinner will also be available for an additional charge.

On-Farm Camping with Meals

Workshop students are welcome to bring a tent and set up camp on the farm or stay in one of our three shelter offerings. They consist of a room in the main house, a 10×12 little cabin/playhouse or our canvas teepee. We have an outhouse with a composing toilet, an outdoor (not heated) shower and a regular bathroom (with a heated shower!) in the house for guests to use.

We’re offering a package plan that consists of breakfast, dinner and camping for $40 per day. We’ll make farm-fresh meals with local, mostly organic ingredients.

If you want the room, teepee or cabin it will be an additional $75 for the five days of the full workshop. (first come first serve)

The nearest motel is Sunrise Inn, 860 East Main Street , Mondovi, WI 54755, (715) 926-5926 www.sunriseinnmondovi.com

Timber-framing: June 25-26, 2013 $280 (couples rate: $480)
Cordwood: June 27-29, 2013 $420 (couples rate: $480)
Take both parts and it’s only $640 ($1040 for a couple) (Unlike the government we don’t discriminate against same-sex couples)

For costs and registration go to cordwoodmasonry.com and sign up for our workshop in Mondavi, Wisconsin.

Animals in a Permaculture System Course
Aug. 4th-10th

This course delves deeply into the topic of animals in permaculture design. In many permaculture design courses, the topic of animals in only briefly touched on. This course will focus in on the subject, helping students learn concepts and skills related to designing and implementing permaculture systems with animals over the week-long course. You’ll gain hands-on experience with chickens, sheep, cattle and bees as well as learn how wildlife and human life create functional relationships that lead to healthy habitats.

This course is for:
-Anyone thinking about moving to the country
-Considering raising chickens in the back yard
-Wondering what it would be like to herd sheep and move cattle
-Conflicted vegetarians/carnivores
-Gardeners
-A really fun alternative vacation
-Survivalists doomers
-Permies ready for advanced training
-Anyone who loves animals and being in harmony with nature.

Some of the topics we’ll cover include:
-Humane livestock care and handling, including holistic veterinary care and designing systems that promote healthy animals and healthy food.
-Holistic Management and grazing for multiple species including cattle, sheep and poultry. We also cover pasture-based systems for chickens and hogs.
-Animals in urban and suburban permaculture including small animals, urban wildlife and designing backyard systems that include domesticated animals for production and pets.
-We’ll cover different methods for hunting and trapping wild animals as well as firearms safety. You’ll have a chance to learn how to set straps, use a bow and butcher wild game.
-We’ll cover design strategies and management approaches to integrate animal and vegitable crops that increase diversity and production.
-Holistic vet care using medicinal herbs and other natural preventions and remedies to maintain healthy animals.
-Learn about the birds and the bees, insects and amphibians that are all important parts of an integrated permaculture design.

Wayne Weiseman, director of the Permaculture Project, is returning for his third summer teaching at Crazy Rooster Farm. In addition to Wayne we will also have some guest instructors. Victor Suarez will share his experience teaching the Maasi tribe in Kenya. Jake Hartnett, who is a grazing consultant for Thousand Hills Cattle and manages a large grass-fed herd in northern WI, will share his extensive knowledge of fencing and mob grazing. Will Winter, holistic veterinarian and veterinary consultant for Thousand Hills Cattle , will share his knowledge of animal health and designing healthy production systems.

This course is for anyone with an interest in animals in the permaculture system. Although it is ‘advanced’ you do not need to be permaculture certified to take the course. However, if you are less experienced in all things permaculture, we can send you pre-course study materials to help get you ready for the rigors of the course. If you have any questions or hesitations, please email jeff@crazyroosterfarms.com.

The cost of the course is $1200 including food and camping on the farm.

Two work-study scholarships are also available.

Anyone can apply for work/study scholarship. Here’s how it works:

One scholar will come the week before the course to help with set up and farm chores. The second scholar will stay the week after the course to help with clean up and farm chores. Both scholars will help out during the course with minor tasks that won’t interfere with the coursework. Each scholarship is $500, reducing the price of the course to $700. If you’re interested in applying for the scholarship, please email jeff@crazyroosterfarm.

Animals in a Permaculture System
Aug. 4th-10th

This course delves deeply into the topic of animals in permaculture design. In many permaculture design courses, the topic of animals in only briefly touched on. This course will focus in on the subject, helping students learn concepts and skills related to designing and implementing permaculture systems with animals over the week-long course. You’ll gain hands-on experience with chickens, sheep, cattle and bees as well as learn how wildlife and human life create functional relationships that lead to healthy habitats.

This course is for:

-Anyone thinking about moving to the country
-Considering raising chickens in the back yard
-Wondering what it would be like to herd sheep and move cattle
-Conflicted vegetarians/carnivores
-Gardeners
-A really fun alternative vacation
-Survivalists doomers
-Permies ready for advanced training
-Anyone who loves animals and being in harmony with nature.

Some of the topics we’ll cover include:

-Humane livestock care and handling, including holistic veterinary care and designing systems that promote healthy animals and healthy food.
-Holistic Management and grazing for multiple species including cattle, sheep and poultry. We also cover pasture-based systems for chickens and hogs.
-Animals in urban and suburban permaculture including small animals, urban wildlife and designing backyard systems that include domesticated animals for production and pets.
-We’ll cover different methods for hunting and trapping wild animals as well as firearms safety. You’ll have a chance to learn how to set straps, use a bow and butcher wild game.
-We’ll cover design strategies and management approaches to integrate animal and vegitable crops that increase diversity and production.
-Holistic vet care using medicinal herbs and other natural preventions and remedies to maintain healthy animals.
-Learn about the birds and the bees, insects and amphibians that are all important parts of an integrated permaculture design.

Wayne Weiseman, director of the Permaculture Project, is returning for his third summer teaching at Crazy Rooster Farm. In addition to Wayne we will also have some guest instructors. Victor Suarez will share his experience teaching the Maasi tribe in Kenya. Jake Hartnett, who is a grazing consultant for Thousand Hills Cattle and manages a large grass-fed herd in northern WI, will share his extensive knowledge of fencing and mob grazing. Will Winter, holistic veterinarian and veterinary consultant for Thousand Hills Cattle , will share his knowledge of animal health and designing healthy production systems.

This course is for anyone with an interest in animals in the permaculture system. Although it is ‘advanced’ you do not need to be permaculture certified to take the course. However, if you are less experienced in all things permaculture, we can send you pre-course study materials to help get you ready for the rigors of the course. If you have any questions or hesitations, please email jeff@crazyroosterfarms.com.

The cost of the course is $1200 including food and camping on the farm.

Two work-study scholarships are also available.

Anyone can apply for work/study scholarship. Here’s how it works:

One scholar will come the week before the course to help with set up and farm chores. The second scholar will stay the week after the course to help with clean up and farm chores. Both scholars will help out during the course with minor tasks that won’t interfere with the coursework. Each scholarship is $500, reducing the price of the course to $700. If you’re interested in applying for the scholarship, please email jeff@crazyroosterfarm.

Timber Framing and Cordwood Masonry

June 25-29, with Rob Roy, author or the book,

Timber Framing for the Rest of Us

In this two-part workshop, learn both timber framing and cordwood masonry with the Godfather and Grand Dame of cordwood, Rob and Jaki Roy. Limited spots are available in this two-part action-packed adventure workshops. Take either one of the sections or take both. Both is better, and cheaper.

Learn the sustainable art of cordwood masonry, an old building technique combining the texture of stone masonry with the warmth of wood. Using short logs and a special mortar mix, you will create a sturdy, natural and uniquely beautiful structure. Cordwood houses are low in cost, use indigenous materials, and are easy and fun to build.

We’re building the Earthwood Sauna design from the bottom up, including the timber frame, cordwood infill and earth/sod roof.

Workshop Overview

Part One: Timber Framing for the Rest of Us – Two Days (June 25-26). This course covers basic “post and beam” construction as done by most contractors and owner-builders using sound building design and techniques using readily available mechanical fasteners made for the purpose. Morning classroom sessions cover structural principles and examples, including basic load calculations. During afternoon hands-on work sessions, students will build a 6-poster guest house. Each student in the course will be supplied with the textbook, Rob’s Timber Framing for the Rest of Us.

Part Two: Cordwood Masonry – Three Days (June 27-29). Morning sessions include cordwood theory, slide presentations, explanatory tours, and discussion of the three styles of cordwood construction: built-up corners (stackwall), round houses, and cordwood as infilling within a post-and-beam framework. The kinds of wood and how long to dry them is covered, as well as various alternative mortar mixes. Installing doors and windows is detailed, as is cordwood masonry “special effects.” Together, we will build a cordwood infilling within a small 6-poster timber frame. In addition, students will have the opportunity to consult with Rob about their own cordwood plans. This workshop gives the student a strong introduction to this ancient building technique.

The workshop includes lunch and snacks. You can stay in a nearby motel or camp on the farm. Breakfast and dinner will also be available for an additional charge.

On-Farm Camping with Meals

Workshop students are welcome to bring a tent and set up camp on the farm or stay in one of our three shelter offerings. They consist of a room in the main house, a 10×12 little cabin/playhouse or our canvas teepee. We have an outhouse with a composing toilet, an outdoor (not heated) shower and a regular bathroom (with a heated shower!) in the house for guests to use.

We’re offering a package plan that consists of breakfast, dinner and camping for $40 per day. We’ll make farm-fresh meals with local, mostly organic ingredients.

If you want the room, teepee or cabin it will be an additional $75 for the five days of the full workshop. (first come first serve)

The nearest motel is Sunrise Inn, 860 East Main Street , Mondovi, WI 54755, (715) 926-5926 www.sunriseinnmondovi.com

Timber-framing: June 25-26, 2013 $280 (couples rate: $480)
Cordwood: June 27-29, 2013 $420 (couples rate: $480)
Take both parts and it’s only $640 ($1040 for a couple) (Unlike the government we don’t discriminate against same-sex couples)

For costs and registration go to cordwoodmasonry.com and sign up for our workshop in Mondavi, Wisconsin.

Hi Everyone
Wayne Weiseman is coming back to teach another PDC course at Crazy Rooster Farm. June 24-July 1. 2012. This one should be even better than last year's course, the one featured in the NY Times last summer.
Check it out at crazyroosterfarm.com or feel free to call for info: six-one-2- 382-130-six
Jeff

Hi Josh
Check out the Permaculture PDC course we're offering June 24th to July 1st. at Crazy Rooster Farm, Near Eau Claire. It's the same one that was featured in the NY times last summer. It's taught by Wayne Weiseman. Wayne teaches the PDC all over and has been teaching for Midwest Permaculture for several years. You can learn more at www.crazyroosterfarm.com or feel free to give me a call six one 2-382-one 306

Jeff