Sarah Highland

Hi Jeff,

Yes, good question. The reason for offering a natural building apprenticeship for only women is that many women have had fewer opportunities than men to feel comfortable around tools, construction, or even asking questions about it. I've taught timber framing workshops with only one or two women in a class of a dozen, and that kind of setting can feel a little inhibiting to someone without a lot of self-confidence. It can be a powerful experience for women who are new to construction to work alongside women who are experienced and confident. We'll be both teaching tool skills for beginners and enhancing the skills of those with more experience. We'll even visit a lumberyard and a hardware store and learn about what to ask for - again, many women have had awkward or rude receptions in these settings.

Last year's Women's Natural Building Apprenticeship in North Carolina was enthusiastically received by eight apprentices, who were excited for that opportunity to learn with other women. So there is a need, though I agree with you that in an ideal world we shouldn't have any need for a gender-exclusive program, since there wouldn't be any differential treatment of women and men. Fortunately, things are changing, and we're hoping that the women we help to train will further close the gap between women and men in the building world.

Thanks for posting.
Sarah Highland
www.womensnaturalbuilding.com

Women's Natural Building Apprenticeship 2013 in Marlow, NH

Join us, and dive deep into a way of building that blends modern methods with ancient wisdom. Be part of creating a supportive community and developing your gifts as a leader. Become a Women's Natural Building Apprentice!

May 25th-Aug 25th 2013

Our apprentice program for the summer of 2013 will be held in beautiful southwestern New Hampshire, led by Liz Johndrow of Earthen Endeavors with Sarah Highland of Highland Artisan as a frequent guest instructor. Our host and collaborator is Kroka Expeditions, a non-profit environmental education organization that for over 20 years has lived out its deep commitment to living lightly and consciously in this world.

During our twelve-week apprenticeship we will build a straw bale and timber framed cottage. We'll explore in detail the methods needed for building in cold climates, but the systems we will learn can be applied almost anywhere. We'll also work with other wall systems and techniques, so that apprentices will have a solid introduction to the most common natural building methods in use today.

We'll have hands-on learning in:
Straw bale construction
Timber framing
Cob
Straw-clay
Clay and lime plasters
Wattle-and-daub
Slate roofing
...and lots more!

To learn more and to register, go to www.womensnaturalbuilding.com