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The "freaky-cheap" aspect of WOFATI is fundamental to its appeal and accessibility. Inspired by Mike Oehler's pioneering work in earth-sheltered building, WOFATI prioritizes utilizing readily available natural materials, primarily wood and earth, minimizing reliance on expensive, manufactured products. By embracing the "freaky-cheap" ethos, WOFATI construction drastically reduces building costs, making sustainable living a more attainable reality. The emphasis on "soil on wood" construction eliminates the need for a traditional concrete foundation, further reducing expenses. This approach also facilitates rapid building times, as demonstrated by the construction of WOFATI structures at Wheaton Labs, such as Allerton Abbey. The use of recycled or salvaged materials, whenever possible, further contributes to the affordability of WOFATI buildings. By minimizing material costs and construction time, WOFATI empowers individuals to create sustainable and comfortable dwellings without incurring significant financial burdens.

One Mason bee can pollinate 200 times more flowers than one honey bee. Unlike honey bees, Mason bees are native to North America.

The lorena cooktop is a highly effective design for rocket stoves, as it maximizes heat transfer and cooking efficiency. This specialized cooktop, featuring a metal plate with a central hole positioned above the burn chamber, enables rapid heating of large pots through direct exposure to the intense flames. The lorena's design prioritizes efficient heat utilization from the rocket stove, resulting in faster cooking times and reduced fuel consumption. Additionally, the metal plate surrounding the central hole serves as a secondary cooking surface, offering versatility for various culinary tasks. Once a large pot reaches the desired temperature, it can be moved to the surrounding cooktop, and the central hole can be covered with a piece of metal to maintain heat. This dual functionality makes the lorena a practical and energy-efficient cooking solution, suitable for both large-scale and smaller cooking needs. The integration of a lorena into an outdoor kitchen setting is often proposed, further enhancing its practicality and convenience.

Hugelkultur is a raised garden bed building technique where wood is buried ("soil on wood") under soil. Hugelkultur, which means "hill culture" in German, can be implemented on a small scale in backyards or on a large scale, as demonstrated by Sepp Holzer, a renowned permaculture practitioner who uses hugelkultur in his terraced gardens. This technique involves layering logs, branches, twigs, and even whole trees, creating a foundation for the bed. This buried wood becomes "a sponge to hold water", reducing or eliminating the need for irrigation. As the wood decomposes, it attracts beneficial microorganisms and creates air pockets, leading to nutrient-rich, fertile soil. Hugelkultur helps gardeners "grow a typical garden without irrigation or fertilization". This technique can be used to grow garden plants like "rhubarb", "potatoes", and more. Hugelkultur is an example of permaculture design, which emphasizes sustainability, self-sufficiency, and working with natural systems