On Narrow Pond in Ant Village

Talyn Crafts wrote:I'm concerned that after 4 months as a boot, I still won't have enough knowledge to construct a 4 season dwelling all on my own.
Although I can totally see why Orin chose this path, it is working so well for him!  

I've been considering picking out a play-plot after my first month, to build a fence to house my dog and my tent, as base as a Boot and offer my time to Ants and Deep Rooters on the weekends.
I think I would learn more helping out those more experienced than me, and it would make me happy to help others progress faster on their plots!

I think you are very wise! Some people are already experienced builders, or their minds lend themselves that way. Mine sure doesn't! But, for those like Orin that are skilled in building, 4 months in Bootcamp and then going straight to an Ant makes a lot of sense.

One of the hardships of the original Ant Program was that a lot of people joined that didn't have much building knowledge. I think the beauty of the Bootcamp program is that people are gaining those skills in bootcamp and they have their own little playground to try things out on. I would probably stick around in Bootcamp for at least 8 months. Four months to earn work trade admission to the the PDC, PTJ, and SKIP events, and 4 months to earn my own plot. During those 8 months, I'd probably start making small, easy things on my own plot: a fence, a shed, small garden beds, planting fruit trees, etc. That way I could learn through my own mistakes and apply things I learn through events and Bootcamp to my own plot, and get some improvements on the land as a bonus!

Of course, I won't likely ever be able to join bootcamp, as I have kids and my own 5 acres far away. But, it's fun to dream about, and I think you're totally on the right track and very reasonable with your expectations and goals! I love your idea of helping the others on their plots--it'll build knowledge and community in one act. Good thinking!

Talyn Crafts wrote:As per your organic food receipt -- (From 3 months ago)

How is it there is no tax ? Do you have a tax exempt status from WL ?

Montana does not have a sales tax.

Talyn Crafts wrote:As per your organic food receipt -- (From 3 months ago)

How is it there is no tax ? Do you have a tax exempt status from WL ?

$111.00 ish for 10 days ... that is about $12 - $13 a day.

Hey Talyn, glad to see someone actually using my data for logistical planning!    There are no sales tax in the State of Montana....there are states with no income tax too. For the first two years, I recommend buying Amy's Organic soups at $2.30 per can at Target....and I use oatmeal for breakfast with things like raisins, blue berries, bananas, and ground flax seed oil....anything else is a bonus.

If a person works well and does well in community, you might get invited to work in the cities where the jobs are plenty and the lowest wage is $15/hr when the Yawling Rock group leaves for the winter.  Spend four months in the Boot Camp and do well there  -I am sure you'll get invited.

Talyn Crafts wrote:
Are protein powders allowed on WL ? If it has an organic label , and is mainly just pea protein ?

Is there a certain podcast I've yet to find or a list on permies that talks more about what is considered Organic ?

Are there other Ants or Deep Rooters growing / making food that are willing to trade hours or skills for some food ?

I wonder if Ants could work together , dividing up labor on the sacred four - and sharing in the bounty.

USDA, Oregon Tilth, or California Certified Organic label is what needs to be on the the package whether it is protein powder or the peas themselves. :)

Right now, the Lab doesn't many long term people yet. Mark will come next spring with the intention of staying long term....He will probably need to focus on shelter for the first year. Fred has some food plants on his lot but I'm not sure his had gotten a significant yield yet. I will be focusing on finishing my shelter and on my food systems this coming summer.

So no work for food right now.  I always work trade one hour first.  I have the person work for me for an hour and then pay them back in work. If I like the quality and quantity of the work I get from a person, I invite them back...so while I might consider trading my food for someone's work, working for food for me shouldn't be thought of as guaranteed.

And yes, with people who work well, doing work with each other for the sacred four is what I hope to foster.

Talyn Crafts wrote:
Is it allowed for an Ant to focus on gardening  with aim to provide for the other Ants -;
While another Ant might focus on soley building shelter for the winter for the other Ants -;
And another Ant focusing on creating good RMH for cooking / warmth -;
Another Ant focusing on strengthening the water supply by creating rain catchments and building more wells or further enhancing the existing wells (like you did a few months ago with the Old Slow Well).

From what I've gathered so far, the previous round of Ants seemed to focus mainly on their own plots / needs rather than thinking and working as a 'village'.

When we have more people, your idea will become more successful.  For right now, what works is the barn raising method:  you help me build my structure and I help you build yours. If three people or more work on the same task, it becomes more like play...and you know you'll get your turn  (assuming you choose to screen the people you want to trade work with like I do).

When the number of people in Ant Village gets to around 7 people, then specialization will happen naturally, because humans notice things like "Jody makes the best post and my pots aren't so great".

So for right now, a person has to be like a leatherman and a daisy: can do anything well enough and can survive any where while looking good.   Spend some time in the Boot Camp like Grey is doing to build skill in areas you might be weak in if you want....you already look good so no worries there :]

Talyn Crafts wrote:It makes total sense as Orin demonstrated to secure electric and water system first , and then to get started on building a shelter right away in consideration of Ant Village.

I'm concerned that after 4 months as a boot, I still won't have enough knowledge to construct a 4 season dwelling all on my own.
Although I can totally see why Orin chose this path, it is working so well for him!  

If you do well in the four months in the Boot Camp and help me on a Saturday or Sunday during the summer well enough for me to invite you back for another Saturday or Sunday, you'll get help constructing your dwelling.

Talyn Crafts wrote:
I've been considering picking out a play-plot after my first month, to build a fence to house my dog and my tent, as base as a Boot and offer my time to Ants and Deep Rooters on the weekends.
I think I would learn more helping out those more experienced than me, and it would make me happy to help others progress faster on their plots!


Trying to figure out what would be best for me, if I have doubts about my structural planning abilities (I'm an artist, not an engineer) .


Have to say I'm in total awe at the amount of work Orin has accomplished ! Setting the bar high for the rest of us! (:

So yep, come on out to the Boot Camp in March or wait until May 15th, the date I've tried to make back to the Lab by each year, and I will help you be as successful there as I can. Please feel free to contact me: orin at yawlingrock dot com

...if we work well together, I'll help you every other weekend if you work on my plot on the equal complementary weekend.

An artist has to consider materials, materials function, shape, and color......and engineer has to do that too!

Thank you for your well defined arrangement of agreements, I find them to be extraordinarily fair and quite encouraging!

Yes, data is always good. I appreciate your posts so much because of this. It helps reduce the knowledge gap for those without engineering skills and/or extreme bushwhacking skills.

The work you are doing by sharing your work, is very inspirational! I look forward to your return On Narrow Pond, and I'm excited to lend my first hour towards your build on a weekend in May of next year.

As of now, I'm on the waiting list - and hope to secure a spot in April (or sooner!) as a Boot.  (: