2018 ATC (Appropriate Technology Course) in Montana

The Appropriate Technology Course takes place July 9 - July 20, 2018, near Missoula, Montana.

The course begins right after the 2018 Homesteaders Permaculture Design Course.

The Appropriate Technology course takes the permaculture principles to the next level by applying some crafty science and engineering to basic life essentials like hot water and water catchment. With this course, you'll cover a wide range of topics and get real life experience building the systems you'll need to live comfortably and sustainably.

This year's instructor is Chris 'Uncle Mud' McClellan.



Uncle Mud (aka Chris McClellan) was one of the innovators at last years Rocket Mass Heater Workshop Jamboree.. Uncle Mud raises free-range, organic children in the wilds of northeast Ohio. In his spare time he tinkers with, teaches, and publish books about cob building and Rocket Heaters.

We are still arguing about exactly what projects we should do for the ATC. This is where you can chip in with your ideas!

Let us know what you are most passionate about learning, and we'll use that to inform our course outline.

We are working on ideas/projects for the ATC. We have a bunch in mind and want to hear from you, what do you want to do at this years ATC?

I am registering for the ATC. I am really interested in the wofati, with the greenhouse behind it and part of the structure.
Of course also interested in the solar trailer, and building a rocket mass heater.
Thanks for offering the course!!!

Have to determine for certain those are dates I can escape from work, but this looks great!

Here are some possible ideas that I would be excited about:  
steam-power (5-12 hp generating/pumping)
wood gas
wind power (pumping)
medium scale grain production & harvesting implements (10-20 acres) {thresher}
medium scale hay production (10-20 acres) {non-baler options as well as "baled"}
gravity powered water distribution {water tower design, hydraulic ram pumps, flow engineering, winter proofing}

Anyway just some thoughts for the idea hopper...rube goldberg away

Hey all,
Mud here. The power at our place in Ohio has been out for three days. Fortunately our composting toilet and Rocket Mass Heater have been keeping us in comfort while we sleep in and make snowmen and all that stuff you do when civilization shuts down around you. The icing on the cake has been our friend Jeff's camping rig keeping the wifi running. If you want to do this kind of thing join us at the ATC. We'll have the tools and the materials and the know-how do do all sorts of fun projects like this. Bonus points if you tell them Uncle Mud sent you.

Conrad, I want to introduce y'all to my teaching partner James Juczak, retired shop teacher who lives off-grid in a home he built himself from local natural and salvaged materials. He and I have all sorts of cool plans for projects and we want to hear yours. The latest official description can always be found here https://richsoil.com/atc.jsp but the short version is:

1. Homestead Tools: Selecting, Maintaining and Basic Safe Usage
--Safety Gear & Protocols Hands On
--Metal Shop (Mig Welder, Torch, Grinder, Saws)
--Field Wood Shop (Solar Powered Chain Saw & Saw Mill)

2. Shelter:
--Hands On Building Design
--Build a Small Insulated, Moveable Cottage on Skids
--Natural Building Sampler

3. Water:
--Finding Water
--Improving Existing Water Resources
--Water Catchment and Off Grid, Low Pressure Plumbing
--Cheap, Safe Composting Toilets and Greywater Gardening

4. Energy:
--Understanding and Tuning your Energy Needs
--Performing Basic Electrical Repairs
--Build a Portable Rocket Mass Heater out of Mud & Scrap Metal
--Mobile Power for your Tools and Toys (Voltswagon & Solar Tractor)

Story Time (evening presentation ideas, not hands-on)
--Natural Building Around the World
--Harvesting the Local Waste Stream
--Maintaining the Homestead Boneyard (or Genteel Hoarding)
--Rocket Mass Heaters
--How to find Land
--No Mortgage Building Strategies
--How to Succeed in Building an Intentional Community
--Free Hot Water from Compost


We are curently discussing the exact projects for the welding and natural building sampler and electrical repair sections, so input is welcome.

--Mud

a video taste from the 2017 ATC

Here's he latest pics of the "Cottage Rocket" Portable Rocket Mass Heater we will be building at the ATC. --Mud