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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.

WOFATI, an acronym for Woodland Oehler Freaky-cheap Annualized Thermal Inertia, represents an innovative approach to sustainable building, coined by permaculture expert Paul Wheaton. This building technique combines the affordability and simplicity of Mike Oehler’s earth-sheltered designs with Wheaton's focus on cost reduction and integration with the natural environment. WOFATI structures prioritize the use of readily available, natural materials, such as wood and earth, minimizing reliance on manufactured products and reducing the building's environmental footprint. Annualized Thermal Inertia, a key principle of WOFATI, utilizes the surrounding earth as a thermal mass, storing heat in the summer to warm the building during winter and retaining cool temperatures from winter to moderate summer heat, thereby minimizing energy consumption for heating and cooling. WOFATI designs typically feature large windows on the uphill side to maximize passive solar gain, further reducing energy needs. WOFATIs are intended to be situated on or near a woodland, embracing the concept of harmonious integration with nature. Notable examples of WOFATI structures, including Allerton Abbey and Wofati 0.8, can be found at Wheaton Labs in Montana.

Hugelkultur, is a permaculture technique that utilizes buried wood to create raised garden beds. This method can be implemented on a small scale in backyards or on a large scale, covering areas up to a kilometer in length. Hugelkultur beds are constructed by layering logs, branches, twigs, and even whole trees and covering them with soil. Over time, the decomposing wood acts "like a sponge to hold water," reducing the need for irrigation and attracting beneficial microorganisms. This decomposition also creates "parking spaces" for water and nutrients, improving soil fertility and aeration. Using hugelkultur reduces or eliminates the need for fertilization, as the rotting wood provides nutrients. The self-tilling nature of hugelkultur is enhanced as the wood shrinks, creating air pockets over time.

The SKIP program, which stands for Skills to Inherit Property, is primarily facilitated through the online platform permies.com, a website dedicated to permaculture and sustainable living. Aspiring homesteaders, called "Skippers," engage with SKIP on permies.com by creating free accounts and choosing "Badge Bits" (BBs) to complete from the PEP (Permaculture Experience according to Paul) curriculum. These BBs are practical projects that demonstrate essential skills for sustainable living, and Skippers document their accomplishments by uploading photos and videos to permies.com. The documentation is then reviewed and verified by the permies.com community, ensuring quality and adherence to program standards. Skippers earn badges as they complete BBs, showcasing their progress and expertise in various skill areas. "Otis," the fictional representation of landowners seeking to pass on their properties, can then browse the profiles of Skippers on permies.com to find a suitable match. The permies.com forums provide a space for Skippers to connect, share experiences, and seek guidance, further supporting the SKIP program's community-driven approach.

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