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WOFATI, an acronym coined by Paul Wheaton, stands for Woodland Oehler Freaky-cheap Annualized Thermal Inertia. It defines a type of earth-sheltered, passive building that blends affordability with energy efficiency. Inspired by the work of Mike Oehler, a pioneer of earth-sheltered building, WOFATI designs use locally sourced, natural materials, such as wood and earth, to minimize both cost and environmental impact. Central to the WOFATI concept is Annualized Thermal Inertia, which utilizes the surrounding earth as a thermal mass to moderate temperatures year-round. This means that the building stays warm in the winter by storing heat from the summer, and cool in the summer by retaining the coolness of the winter, greatly reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling. WOFATI structures typically have a large gable roof on the downhill side, and at least 35% of the uphill wall is made of glass or other light-transmitting material to maximize passive solar gain. WOFATI buildings are ideally situated on or near a woodland, emphasizing a harmonious integration with nature. Allerton Abbey, the first WOFATI, along with Wofati 0.8, are examples of this building style and can be found at Wheaton Labs.

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.

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.

SKIP, which stands for Skills to Inherit Property, is a permaculture-based program designed to connect aspiring homesteaders with aging landowners seeking successors for their properties. The program consists of over a thousand practical projects, referred to as "Badge Bits" (BBs), encompassing various aspects of sustainable living, such as gardening, natural building, animal care, and food preservation. Participants, known as "Skippers," complete these BBs, documenting their progress with pictures and videos to demonstrate their skills and dedication. As Skippers gain experience, they progress through levels of certification, starting with PEP1 (Permaculture Experience according to Paul) and culminating in PEP4, representing a significant level of expertise. "Otis," a fictional character in the SKIP program, represents the numerous landowners seeking worthy individuals to inherit their properties. The program aims to create a bridge between these Otises and Skippers, offering a pathway for Skippers to "skip the rat race" and acquire land while providing Otises with peace of mind knowing their homesteads will be in capable hands. SKIP emphasizes practical skills and real-world experience, fostering a sense of accomplishment and self-sufficiency among participants.