Pangea Farm

I think it's important to not give up the battle on greywater/composting toilets and changing the minds of government officials. It's all in the delivery and knowing your stuff. Read the Internationals Plumbing Code. I realize this is about as interesting as watching paint dry but if you go in there and know what your talking about you will get a lot farther. Composting toilets are permitted under NSF 41 in the international code. Yes they are expensive toilets, but what is this ideal worth to you? Most states have greywater code. The trick to dealing with government folks is if it is perceived that you are making more work for them. Take that away and conversations will go smoother. Start at the local level and work your way up. Explain why these systems are superior to existing systems. I own a natural building company in SD. We are building the states first load bearing Strawbale house, with a composting toilet (SunMar Excel) and an engineered Greywater system that allows kitchen sink water. All code approved!!! It took 4 years to get all the planning done, we changed some laws at the local level, and got the city's support which helped the state feel more at ease about the system. I can be done folks, you just can't give up. If everyone that is trying to do good things, and be innovative give's up after dealing with one or two grouchy civil servants, then nothing will be accomplished. Keep at it and good luck.
Pangeafarm.

The Diesel dump truck is a great idea, all our rigs run on used vegetable oil, and I'm putting a dump bed on an old ford this spring.  Make sure you put a flat bed for the dump bed and just use side boards when hauling brush and things. They are easier to load with a forklift too. (sometimes constructions sites especially L.e.e.d certified projects they will load the salvage for you. As far as the straw bale they are great. We are teaching a workshop this summer (July 17-27) on code approved straw bale construction. It's on the web site you should check it out.  We live in Spearfish SD.  It sounds like your making a go of it and keep up the good work.  Cappie

How fast does your stream move? Have you looked into a Ram pump? They sell commercial ones, but there are plans out there to build one. I built a paddle wheel to over come my irrigation issues. I live on totally flat ground so I pump my water in to a 500 gal tank about 15 feet in the air. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZJW8iNOY
The wheel I build for a couple hundred bucks, and will pump water 35ft straight up. Depending on your situation you could build a small wheel to suite you.  Let me know if you have any specific question about the wheel (the video has no narration) www.pangeafarm.com

The word obstacle is a tricky thing. It means different things to different
people. Your first question is : No 36 is not to old to start. Don't be afraid to get creative when it come to buying land, owner financed, or work trade. A lot of old timers would rather get a check every month from you than a bank (no middle man saves everybody money) Start collecting things NOW!! The risk of becoming a hoarder is remote. Have you ever met an actual hoarder? It takes a lot of years to get to that point. When it comes to stuff, get organized, keep a list, take photos and keep them on your laptop. There are a lot of ways to do it. Sometime things come available for cheap or free and shouldn't be passed up. Wood stoves, stove pipe, cook stoves, lumber, electrical supplies (I once  salvaged 25 outlets and switches out of a house because the woman no longer wanted white, and had them changed to almond, I'm building a straw bale cottage this summer and don't have to buy any outlets or switches) plumbing supplies, cruise around on the weekends and look in construction dumpsters (the big dumpsters that load on a semi) sinks, toilets, doors windows, cabinets, tile, carpet. I took home a thousand pounds of granite counter top two weeks ago. You get the point. So much is available if you just keep your eyes open. Give it a couple of years and you could potentially have the majority of the materials you need to build a cottage of your own.  Shipping containers make great temporary housing and work shops. You can pick them up for pretty cheap. Put two of them 12 feet apart and put a simple roof over them and have covered parking, or an outdoor kitchen. The possibilities are limitless. Another sustainable option is don't buy lumber from the hardware store, go to the sawmill, most of them will sell directly to the permies, and it's super cheap.  Check out www.pangeafarm.com  We have a three acre farm in Spearfish SD and were doing a lot of fun stuff. Hope this helps and if you have any questions let me know. Cappie

Hey Craftylittlemonkey, the workshop is in Spearfish SD, July 17-27 Kids over 12 are welcome. Check out www.pangeafarm.com for more details.  Thanks  Pangea Farm

Pangea Farm 2011 BaleCob workshop

This ten day comprehensive workshop is unique in that we will be building an engineered code approved building, something that is not always easily accomplish in the natural building world. The design of this workshop is to teach participants everything they need to know to build their own BaleCob structure.  We will be executing a design that enables the participants to learn about all aspects of BaleCob and Cob construction….by getting your hands dirty.  We have designed this course to prepare anyone to owner-build their very own code-approved structure.  Students will encounter a knowledgeable staff and a fun workshop in a beautiful setting.  Students of all skill levels will enjoy this course and gain valuable knowledge about building, sub contractors and satisfying building officials.  This workshop will cover all elements of code-approved natural building with an emphasis on: efficient and durable foundations, strawbale walls. roof construction and insulation, roofing, cob interior walls and thermal massing for your climate, framing-in windows and doors, plumbing, electrical systems (including photovoltaics). and all aspects of finishing (including cabinetry and earthen plasters and floors).  Also covered in this 10 day workshop will be; composting toilets, graywater systems, building site orientation, bio-fuels and more.

How it works:
The days are long and hard work should be expected.  We start our morning with a light breakfast followed by an hour or so of work where we will break for a full breakfast.    Work will continue until lunch. An extended lunch will allow for personal and rest time or maybe a dip in the swimming hole. Our afternoons continue with a discussion period and more building.  Our dinner and evening break is relaxing, and I encourage people to bring instruments for around the fire. Also our BaleCob sauna is available for workshop participants.  Although physical work is involved in building the cottage, participants are encouraged to work at their own pace.  You know your limits please respect them and no prior building knowledge or experience is required.  Our goal is to provide a safe environment in which to learn and meet like-minded individuals.

Food:

Three vegetarian meals a day are provided as part of the tuition.  The meals are delicious and wholesome. For some meals a local meat option will be available. If you have any dietary concerns or allergies please let us know ahead of time and in most cases we will be able to accommodate you.

Accommodations:

Camping is available on site and bathroom facilities with showers are provided. Campers and RVs are also welcome, however there are no hookups and please no generators.

The main focus of this BaleCob workshop is you, and providing a constructive learning environment to help you achieve your natural building goals. We encourage questions on all topics of natural building, BaleCob, Cob Strawbale etc.  We encourage you to bring your house plans and design ideas along with your imagination. Natural building, specifically BaleCob and Cob, open up a whole new realm of building.

The money stuff:

Tuition for the workshop is $790. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due upon completion of registration. The remaining balance is due any time before or at the start of the BaleCob workshop.  Workshop size is limited and tends to fill up quickly. To register please contact us and a registration form will be e-mailed to you promptly.

Questions?

You can email us directly at cappie@pangeafarm.com, or josh@pangeafarm.com with questions about the workshops.

Thanks,   Pangea Farm

Pangea Farm 2011 BaleCob workshop

This ten day comprehensive workshop is unique in that we will be building an engineered code approved building, something that is not always easily accomplish in the natural building world. The design of this workshop is to teach participants everything they need to know to build their own BaleCob structure.  We will be executing a design that enables the participants to learn about all aspects of BaleCob and Cob construction….by getting your hands dirty.  We have designed this course to prepare anyone to owner-build their very own code-approved structure.  Students will encounter a knowledgeable staff and a fun workshop in a beautiful setting.  Students of all skill levels will enjoy this course and gain valuable knowledge about building, sub contractors and satisfying building officials.  This workshop will cover all elements of code-approved natural building with an emphasis on: efficient and durable foundations, strawbale walls. roof construction and insulation, roofing, cob interior walls and thermal massing for your climate, framing-in windows and doors, plumbing, electrical systems (including photovoltaics). and all aspects of finishing (including cabinetry and earthen plasters and floors).  Also covered in this 10 day workshop will be; composting toilets, graywater systems, building site orientation, bio-fuels and more.

How it works:
The days are long and hard work should be expected.  We start our morning with a light breakfast followed by an hour or so of work where we will break for a full breakfast.    Work will continue until lunch. An extended lunch will allow for personal and rest time or maybe a dip in the swimming hole. Our afternoons continue with a discussion period and more building.  Our dinner and evening break is relaxing, and I encourage people to bring instruments for around the fire. Also our BaleCob sauna is available for workshop participants.  Although physical work is involved in building the cottage, participants are encouraged to work at their own pace.  You know your limits please respect them and no prior building knowledge or experience is required.  Our goal is to provide a safe environment in which to learn and meet like-minded individuals.

Food:

Three vegetarian meals a day are provided as part of the tuition.  The meals are delicious and wholesome. For some meals a local meat option will be available. If you have any dietary concerns or allergies please let us know ahead of time and in most cases we will be able to accommodate you.

Accommodations:

Camping is available on site and bathroom facilities with showers are provided. Campers and RVs are also welcome, however there are no hookups and please no generators.

The main focus of this BaleCob workshop is you, and providing a constructive learning environment to help you achieve your natural building goals. We encourage questions on all topics of natural building, BaleCob, Cob Strawbale etc.  We encourage you to bring your house plans and design ideas along with your imagination. Natural building, specifically BaleCob and Cob, open up a whole new realm of building.

The money stuff:

Tuition for the workshop is $790. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due upon completion of registration. The remaining balance is due any time before or at the start of the BaleCob workshop.  Workshop size is limited and tends to fill up quickly. To register please contact us and a registration form will be e-mailed to you promptly.

Questions?

You can email us directly at cappie@pangeafarm.com, or josh@pangeafarm.com with questions about the workshops.

Thanks,  Pangea Farm

Hey XUL, it seem everyone went off on a tangent about concrete. Some options for foundations (depending on where you live) 1) frost protected shallow foundation, drastically less concrete usage than a conventional stem wall, less digging and code approved ta-boot. 2) A rubble trench is a great option, (it you need to talk to a building inspector it's called "engineered fill" trench) That is a someone already responded is a 2' x 2' trench with 1.5" to 3" rubble in it. Anything will work, rock, brick, broken china, glass your name, as long as it wont break down. The drain tile goes in the bottom of the trench and make sure to compact the fill before putting the bond beam on top. The bond beam is what your walls will actually sit on. It can be urbanite (recycled concrete) or you can pour virgin concrete, and there are also earth bags.  A combination of the two listed above is a frost protected engineered fill trench. This is a engineered fill trench that has 2" rigid foam around the outside of the foundation. (This is the foundation I'm using for a load-bearing BaleCob cabin I'm building this summer.) And with an engineers stamp it will pass code.  Hope this helps.  Cheers

Patience, patience, patience. Take you time laying out your joints, measure 22 times and cut once. Also educate yourself on how to PROPERLY sharpen you tools. It's worth the extra time to cut the joints and not use plates and bolts. It will be worth it I promise.