nicholas thomas

Spokane Dirt Church ideas (from Nick's to-do  list)

What projects would you guys like to work on? Together? And when?

1. Gardening/planting day
2. Mulch Day
2. Canning/dehydraying/preservation day.
3. rocket day: either cooktop-canner/
Rocket mass heater day/ rocket oven/ hot water heater. As we are moving into fall and winter. I would LOVE to put my Rocket stove hat on and get ONE of these up and running in the Spokane city area as a functional example before its too cold for Cob to cure.
4. Compost/soil/mycelium Day
5. Appropriate technology Day  (solar cookers etc)
6. Build a willow feeder day
7. Other ideas?

realistically, these would be more like monthlong projects, not one day dealios! But a cat can dream, right?

*dirt church friends: update on my situation, I am unable to do more than I am already responsibility and extracurricular activity-wise prob until late October. I run my own painting and handyman business (solo) and am wrapping up a slew of contracts while the weather is still warm enough,. As well as finishing drying-in a cabin I started building this summer. Between those two things I am booked until prob more like late October to be honest.
In other gooder news: I have secured a new indoor workshop space and would like to work on a cottage Rocket (tiny house RMH) production-line in November, I really am more wide open any weekend or evening that month if anyone is interested. As I have hinted all along, I'm hoping to use the winter time this year to plan more ahead for a more organized and scheduled Spokane dirt church in 2026. My sincere apologies for the lack of communication, this is my busiest time of year and honestly, I have been pretty overwhelmed. Maybe some responsibilities can be spread out as I know. Everyone is very interested in working together to do some cool permit culture, and natural building stuff in Spokane. Unfortunately this coincides with my busiest time of year for my work but was throwing a Hail Mary to connect with people with the man goal of getting stuff rolling for next year or hopefully this winter please call me anytime that would be best 509-953-4561. * NOTE: I hope my own schedule does not disuade anyone from gathering and doing dirt churchy things as outlined in the options we have all discussed. I recall Claudia and a couple others have kindly offered to host meetups. I have considered making a Facebook page if that is helpful, even though I hate Facebook and wish there was something else we could use something more perrenial, or indie, like I don't know this website? Or Bluesky? Or just a group text? Any good recommendations for a local group chat page thingy? (I forgot to get everyone's phone numbers although I did get some emails at the Aug potluck). also, I may be able to do some weeknights if anyone is interested in having a weeknight canning session in the next week or two please text me. My weekdays and weekends are pretty booked up until November.

I would also like to schedule some visits to check out each other's properties. This may be a good weeknight event this fall? Since it Could be more of a one to two hour tour .

Due to September Weekend Craziness, I will not be able to do any weekend events this month. October is much less crazy for me though. Does anyone have a good weekend in October?

https://permies.com/t/287704/Spokane-Dirt-Church-Monthly-Permaculture#3244228

I am moving this topic to this new Regional Thread link above. Please lets all post further Spokane Dirt Church meet-up info there to reduce confusion, thanks!

This is a new thread home stemming from The successful August 2025 Spokane
Hoping to have 2 meetups in September! Sept 6 Group outdoor mass Canning Day and Sept 27 Rockety Things Build Day (perhaps the latter could be a 2 faysat-sun workshop? In an effort to git er done?)

I think we should plan on Sept 6 and Sept 27.
September 6 canning day in Rocket mass heater prep, like laying out the riser design with firebricks/superwool, followed by a meal. we can make chili or something. September 27 start building a Rocket mass heater. Or We could also do a cottage Rocket assembly line and build a bunch. I also kind of like that idea better as everyone can take one home. The better design is a 6 inch system inside a barrel. basically. It is great for heating up a smaller space like a shed or tiny house or skoolie. could it possibly work OK for a bigger space as well?

Can someone help make a new Spokane Dirt Church thread on Permies?

Claudia Shimkus wrote:Sept 27 works for me
Snacks sounds good, then we aren’t trying to herd cats
My offer still stands, however, it sounds like RMH is of interest. And since Nick wants to build one on his patio, let’s do that. That is if Nick can assemble material by then. I have plans from Ernie and Erica for “TheAnnex 6” diameter RMH” and the 4 dvd set for DIY RMH from Paul that I can share

I have everything except stovepipe, Super Wool, and fire bricks. that is I have clay, straw, and sand and a steel 55 gallon barrel.

another option for September 27 (or earlier) is a canning party.

Does Sept.27 work for you guys? I think I am busy every other weekend besides the first weekend of September.  October will be much less busy. Maybe still time to do some garden stuff or definitely time to do a Rockety thing. by late October definitely time to start planning some indoor activities.

September 6 works for me. Curious if anyone would prefer a set day once a month? Im then we can all plan better. Like the first Saturday of every month at 9 AM? There could be a few hours of work/project time, and and a one hour lunch,
or it could be an afternoon thing as the weather is cooling off--like, an afternoon work party with dinner after? The third option is more of a snack as you go option. I have seen work parties where pretty much not a whole gets done --other than perfectly wonderful hanging out and eating, which is fine, just not exactly the whole vision of this group, at least not every meeting, ha!.

if anyone is missing towels and a girls swimsuit, I left them in my driveway on the rain barrel. There is also a pair of swim trunks.