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   Alternative building methods are becoming more popular, especially with the rising costs of lumber.  Balsam Moon Preserve (BMP) is offering a workshop on Earthship and Passive Solar Chicken Coop Construction June 22 – July 14, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. This method uses old tires filled with dirt and stacked for the walls which will be covered with a dung plaster (cow dung, clay, sand, water, cattail fluff), and triple pane glazing for the south facing wall for passive solar heat for winter.  The project that will be completed in the workshop is a 10’x10’ chicken coop at BMP.   

   This workshop is for ages 16 and up. Participants are welcome for the full session, a few days, or even a few hours to learn the basic techniques of construction. Lunch will be provided for those present full days.  Bring a water bottle, wear work clothes and closed toe shoes.  Should you need overnight accommodations, there are rooms available. Register by calling, 218-587-3808 or emailing at [email protected].

   Earthship style construction has been around for many years and is a good way to use old tires in a functional, affordable way to construct buildings, including homes. The tires, once filled and in place, are then covered with a weather safe plaster such as cob or dung plaster to protect them from the elements and off-gassing and deteriorating from sun exposure. Dung plaster is an old application used for centuries in India and very weather resistant.  The West tire wall will be built up and mostly covered with dirt to aid in insulation from the westerly winter winds.

   BMP operates on reciprocity meaning no fees are charged for classes and activities. They welcome giving in accordance to what you receive based on your resources available. “Giving” could be money, labor, goods needed, expertise in offering a class, etc.  This form of economy values many forms of exchange and allows for equitable access to classes and activities offered at BMP.

   They are located at 3148 Bungo Creek Ln SW, Pine River and is a non-profit organization sharing an alternative, sustainable, spiritual place of peace, honoring the earth and all living things. They offer trails, workshops on site and on-line, demonstrations of solar uses and alternative building methods, gardens, a labyrinth, a children’s story walk along one trail, overnight stays, pizza nights in the summer and opportunities to gather in community sharing our common humanity.

   For more information about Balsam Moon Preserve visit the website at: https://balsammoonpreserve.wixsite.com/balsam or FB, email [email protected] or call 218-587-3808.

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