Natural Building: Cob, Straw/Clay, Timber Frame, Permaculture as related materials and methods

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2008
April and May Brittany France. Earthship Building Work Experience. Information on the project and past and current experience weeks is available at www.zuluna.com or contact <adi@zuluna.com>

April 20-May 3,San Luis Obispo County, CA. Permaculture Design Course. Certificate Course for Design Professionals, Homeowners and Student at Four Elements Farm, off Hwy 41 between Morro Bay and Atascadero. PART ONE April 20-23 Fire, Water, Earth & Air...Introduction to Permaculture and Natural Pattern Understanding; PART TWO April 25 -28, Food, Water, Shelter & Energy...Designing and Building the Complete Home Ecosystem; PART THREE April 30 to May 3, Community and Green Business...EcoVillage Design and Community Celebration. Instructor: L. Santoyo, Director, EarthFlow Design Works. $250. To register go to http://earthflow.com/slo2008.php or To register by mail:
Santoyo & Associates, 793A Foothill Blvd #130, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. To register by phone and pay by credit card, call 805.459.0452. Info about the organic farm, go to www.fourelementsorganics.com/

May 3-4: make a custom designed cast earth object. Instructor: Isaac Horton,
<isaac@earth-architecture.com> Garden of Soul, Los Osos CA. For information call 805.534.1676. For pre-registration go to earth-architecture.com

Seven-Weekend Permaculture Certification Course. Practical solutions for
creating a sustainable world. Last weekend of every month, April through October. For details about courses and programs: www.kleiwerks.org For more information or to register, contact Kimchi,828.225.8820 <AVI@kleiwerks.org>
www.kleiwerks.org/events_projects.php

April 27-May 3, May 4-May 10, May 11-May 17, May 18-May 24, Brittany, France. Earthship Build. Focused on constructing rammed earth tyre walls that provide thermal mass to make it easy to heat the home. Also lime plastering phase. For more information, visit www.zuluna.com/EXPERIENCE_WEEKS.html and www.earthship.co.uk

Spring 2008 Workshops at the Fox Maple School of Traditional Building's campus in Maine Natural Building, May 28-30; Intro Timber Framing, June 2-7; Advanced Timber Framing, June 9-14; Combined Intro & Advanced, June 2-14. For more information and registration, www.foxmaple.com

May, Fayston VT. 11-week Natural Building Intensive Program. Opportunity to develop a range of natural building skills for owner-builders and aspiring professional natural builders by helping design and build complete structure from natural stone, straw, timber, and clay. Yestermorrow Staff. $5,800 plus food and lodging, or $4,800 without the three tutorial weeks (scholarships available). There are no prerequisites for entering the Natural Building Certificate program. Applications will be accepted on a rolling admissions basis through May 1, 2008. For more information on tuition, instructors, and logistics, go to www.yestermorrow.org/certificate2.htm For more information about Yestermorrow's Natural Building Intensive and application information, visit www.yestermorrow.org or call 802-496-5545.

May 2-4, Whidbey Island WA. Basics of Cob Workshop. (Second workshop to be held later in year - dates TBA.) Course deals with basics of cob and applying it to other applications such as earthen floors, plasters, and different sculpting techniques.
All aspects of cob mixing will be covered, such as site design, materials, application techniques, and finish work. $200. Contact Eli Adadow or Marta Mulholland, Ancient Earth School of Natural Building, PO Box 1061, Freeland, WA 98249 <Ancientearth@whidbey.com> www.naturalbuildingschool.org

May 3-17, Warner Springs, Southern CA. Course will provide examples of policies and projects that communities can adopt to protect their biodiversity and natural resources as well as shape better community management tools to build resiliency and hope in an age of consequences. Includes: Water harvesting, Graywater, Natural building, Cob, Renewable energy, and ore. Instructors include Starhawk, author of The Fifth Sacred Thing and The Earth Path; Margo Adair and Bill Aal, coauthors of Practical Meditation for Busy People, Working Inside Out and co-directors of Tools for Change; Charles Williams, permaculture teacher and wilderness instructor. For information go to www.EarthActivistTraining.org To register: email your registration form and deposit to <earthactivisttraining@gmail.com> Earth Activist Training, POB 4, Occidental CA 95465 or contact Kate 800.381.7940.

May 5-10, Hopland CA. Natural Building Intensive. Course topics include building techniques including cob, wattle and daub, slipstraw, and how to integrate them with each other; how to determine what techniques and materials are appropriate for each situation; passive solar design and site analysis; alternative foundations and materials; sustainable plasters and paints; energy efficient design; recycled and non-toxic materials. Gain hands-on experience by helping to build our intern village at the Solar Living Center, PO Box 836, 13771 S. Hwy. 10, Hopland CA 95449; 707.744.2017 <sli@solarliving.org> www.solarliving.org

May 5-7 (tentative), Anapra, Mexico. Clay and Lime Plaster Party. We will plaster walls of Las Hormigas kitchen building retrofitted in April. 10 people maximum. $40/day suggested donation. Contact Dean for details and to coordinate travel arrangements: 915.539.0801

May 8-11, Williams OR. Intro to Natural Building. Opportunity to get your hands (and feet) dirty stacking straw bales, mixing and building with cob, and making and applying earthen plasters. Lectures and discussions: light-straw-clay building, design basics, foundations, roofs, and more. Tour hybrid pole frame-straw bale-cob home, straw bale-cob sauna, and cob oven. Instructors: Jim Haim of Cob Together and Taylor Starr of White Oak Farm. $320. White Oak Farm & Education Center. For more information <info@whiteoakfarmcsa.org> www.whiteoakfarmcsa.org

Timber Framing Courses: May 10-11 and September 13-14, Introduction to Timber Framing, Facilitators: Randy Churchill and/or Higgs Murphy, $150 per person, 10 per session; Timber Framing Basics - Square Rule, June 4-8 and August 6-10, Facilitators: Randy Churchill and/or Higgs Murphy, $500 per person, 10 per session; August 20-24 or Sept. 3-7, Timber Framing - Hip Roof Example, Facilitators: Randy Churchill & Higgs Murphy, $600 per person, 10 per session; September 19-21, Timber Framing Raising - A Celebration of Craft, Facilitators: Randy Churchill & Higgs Murphy, No fee; Oct. 3-5, Timber Framing for Builders/Contractors, Facilitators: Randy Churchill and/or Higgs Murphy, $300 per person, 10 per session. For registration/further information, contact: www.ourecovillage.org <info@ourecovillage.org> or phone 250-743-3067.

May 17-18, Crestone CO. Sustainable Building and Natural Plasters Workshop. Hands-on approach to natural plaster, lime and earth, straw-bale construction, cob, and earth bag foundations. Also solar design, solar thermal, and solar electric; all aspects of natural building including application of plasters and the construction of an outdoor wood-fired clay and cob oven. $175. For more information and to register, contact EcoBuilders www.ecobuilders.com/Education/Registration.htm or call 719.539.7065 <keri@ecobuilders.com> www.ecobuilders.com

May 24-31, Jasper GA. Cobbing work weekend. Learn the cob building process while working on a storage building with a loft. Work would include building the walls and loft, maybe a bench, and setting in windows. Send email to <dhowell@pickensprogress.com> for details and directions.

May 24-25, Blue Lagoon, Fiji Islands, South Pacific. Fiji Ecovillage Organic Building Workshop. Hurricane-Proof Housing from Natural Materials. Learn traditional low-cost Fijian Building Methods and High-fibered Adobes. Instructors: Paul Onisimo, Fijian master builder and Philip Mirkin, author and educator (Hybrid Adobe Handbook). $375 USD (4 day); $550 USD (7 day); additional nights: $50 per night including food.. Flying Fish Eco-village and Sustainable Tourism Resort (Fijian Owned and Fair Trade) Fiji Mobile Cell Phone 679 938 0772 (Fiji is 20 hours later than California or 4 hours earlier the next day) North America toll-free line 1.866.305.1403 (please send email after leaving message) <philip@FijiOrganicVillage.com> www.FijiOrganicVillage.com; Hybrid Adobe International www.hybridadobe.multiply.com

May 26-30, Washington MA. Timber Frame Design and Joinery Decisions. For more information, www.heartwoodschool.com, 413.623. 6677.

May 28 June 1, Shawnigan Lake, BC, Canada. Frame and Infill Wall Systems. So you have a nice timberframe structure: what's the skin of the building? Or you've taken the old skin off your framed house and want to 3naturalize2? Natural ways for infill include varieties of working with light clay, straw or cob. Detailing, finishing options and possibilities while working on Art Studio walls with light clay. Instructors: Elke Cole and others. $400. For registration/further information, contact: www.ourecovillage.org <info@ourecovillage.org> or phone 250-743-3067.

May 30, Portland OR. Mud 101: Earthen building and other arts A slide presentation at Portland1s Green Home Show, Portland Expo Center, Portland www.betterlivingshow.org

June 2-6, Carbondale CO. Building for the Future: Sustainable Home Design.
Covers principles behind designing and building residential structures that achieve optimal year-round comfort, reduce energy consumption, improve indoor air quality and limit environmental impact. Identifies range of solutions that result in sustainable and comfortable home. For owner/builders in the pre-design stage, architects, builders, designers, contractors, and anyone interested in this field of study. Includes labs, material displays, expert guest instructors and home tours. No construction component. Also offered as an online course.
www.solarenergy.org/workshops/index.html
#SustainableHome

June 5-8, Crestone CO. Solar Heating design and Natural Building. Combines the study of solar design principles with hands-on learning. Suitable for anyone who is serious about learning how to design solar homes and buildings with proven alternative technologies and natural building techniques. A good foundation from which to grow your own knowledge and apply your own interests and skills. Instructor: Paul Shippee. $650. For details visit Crestone Solar School's web site www.crestonesolarschool.com

June 6-8, Whidbey Island WA. Finish Plaster Workshop. Workshop deals with all aspects of the plastering process, and focuses on use of natural and inexpensive materials including natural pigments. Discussion covers both interior and exterior plasters, and techniques used to apply them. $200. Contact Eli Adadow or Marta Mulholland, Ancient Earth School of Natural Building, PO Box 1061, Freeland, WA 98249 <Ancientearth@whidbey.com> www.naturalbuildingschool.org

June 9-13, Paonia CO. Designing and Building Natural Homes. Take a hands-on approach to learning about the art and science of building with earthen materials. Explores variety of natural building techniques and the variations, opportunities and design considerations that are specific to each. Learn to evaluate the advantages and limitations of earth bag building, straw bale, cob, adobe, light straw-clay and natural plasters. They will learn about quality roof and foundation designs, gain understanding of how to integrate natural building technologies into conventional structures. www.solarenergy.org/workshops/index.html
#SustainableHome

June 9-13, Coquille OR. Earth and art for your home: design, sculpture and decoration with natural materials. Natural plasters, paints, finishes to design, sculpt, and help finish an existing cob cottage. Review of principles of design, site analysis, three-dimensional space and spatial dynamics, and practical beauty. Work interspersed with discussion and demos covering technical, design, and materials issues, including a full range of earthen and lime plasters, clay paints, and sculptural mixes. Instructor: Linda Smiley and others. See fee and registration details online www.cobcottage.com

June 17-18, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland. First International Hemp Building Seminar. Development of hemp materials for use in construction and methods used to apply or install them has expanded greatly in the last five years. Since writing the first book on the subject Steve Allin has received reports of pioneering projects from around the world and requests for more information on many aspects of how hemp can be used in various specific situations, which led to the organization of this seminar. An opportunity to hear the worlds top experts talk of their experiences and projects, see the latest techniques demonstrated, and share ideas with others from around the world. To book your place, email <hempbuilding@eircom.net>

June 20-22, Ashevillage Building Convergence, Phase I. Weekend-long series of community activities, including presentations, public forums, hands-on projects, and celebrations. Along with many local leaders and organizations For details about courses and programs: www.kleiwerks.org For more information or to register, contact Kimchi,828.225.8820 <AVI@kleiwerks.org>
www.kleiwerks.org/events_projects.php

June 23-27, Washington MA. Timber Framing. For more information, www.heartwoodschool.com, 413.623. 6677.

June 26- 27, Natural Building with Steveo Brodmerkel (Kleiwerks), Janell Kapoor
(Kleiwerks), Lydia Dolman (City Repair), Mark Lakeman (City Repair), For details about courses and programs: www.kleiwerks.org For more information or to register, contact Kimchi,828.225.8820 <AVI@kleiwerks.org>
www.kleiwerks.org/events_projects.php

June 27-29, Shawnigan Lake, BC, Canada. Building As If People Mattered: A Look at Natural Building As It Meets Conventional Construction. House building has developed from traditional, vernacular, handmade to industrialized, mechanical and highly specialized. The natural building movement brings back to our awareness what we have given up in that process: the personal investment in building one's home, the expectation of a building that is to scale with human need rather than want, the respect for people and place. A week of discussion and hands-on practice of natural building techniques. Each day will contain presentations, discussion and some real physical work to help digest the information. Please read 3The Art of Natural Building 3 or 3The Handsculpted House2 if possible. Facilitator: Elke Cole, natural house designer/builder, and builders and engineers. $250. For registration/further information, contact: www.ourecovillage.org <info@ourecovillage.org> or phone 250-743-3067.

June 28-29, LanderLand, Kingston, NM. Earth Plaster, Lime Plaster, Earthen Floor and Natural Clay Paint Workshop. Tom and Satomi Lander, www.LanderLand.com for more info. 575.895.5029 <Tom@LanderLand.com>

June 28-July 5, Williams OR. Comprehensive Cottage Construction Course. Learn how to build with straw bales, cob, light-straw-clay, adobe, and poles. Opportunity to use earthen plasters. Lectures, discussions and demonstrations: passive solar design, alternative energy, foundations, living roofs, load-bearing and non-load-bearing construction, cob ovens, and more. Tour several finished straw-bale homes. Instructors: Jim Haim of Cob Together and Taylor Starr of White Oak Farm. $640. White Oak Farm & Education Center. For more information <info@whiteoakfarmcsa.org> www.whiteoakfarmcsa.org

July 2-6, Shawnigan Lake, BC, Canada. Building Cob and Community. Cob building is learned quite easily by people from all walks of life. Includes materials, recipes, building instruction, attaching doors and windows, building arches. Instructors: Elke Cole and others. $500. For registration/further information, contact: www.ourecovillage.org <info@ourecovillage.org> or phone 250-743-3067.

July 7-18, Washington MA. Two-week homebuilding course. For more information, www.heartwoodschool.com, 413.623. 6677.

July 10-13, Crestone CO. Solar Heating design and Natural Building. Combines the study of solar design principles with hands-on learning. Suitable for anyone who is serious about learning how to design solar homes and buildings with proven alternative technologies and natural building techniques. A good foundation from which to grow your own knowledge and apply your own interests and skills. Instructor: Paul Shippee. $650. For details visit Crestone Solar School's web site www.crestonesolarschool.com

July 19-26, Asturias Spain Timber Framing Workshop. Fox Maple School of Traditional Building, PO Box 249, Brownfield, Maine 04010 <foxmaple@foxmaple.com> For more information and registration, www.foxmaple.com

July 21-25, Washington MA. Carpentry for Women. For more information, www.heartwoodschool.com, 413.623. 6677.

July 26-27, LanderLand, Kingston, NM. Earth Plaster, Lime Plaster, Earthen Floor and Natural Clay Paint Workshop. Tom and Satomi Lander, www.LanderLand.com for more info. 575.895.5029 <Tom@LanderLand.com>

July 28-August 1, Washington MA. Finish Carpentry. For more information, www.heartwoodschool.com, 413.623. 6677.

2 days in August (dates TBA), Whidbey Island WA. Earthen Floor Workshop. Covers floor materials and design, tools, and techniques, and discussion of different floor systems. $125. Contact Eli Adadow or Marta Mulholland, Ancient Earth School of Natural Building, PO Box 1061, Freeland, WA 98249 <Ancientearth@whidbey.com> www.naturalbuildingschool.org

August 4-8, Washington MA. Timber Framing. For more information, www.heartwoodschool.com, 413.623. 6677.

August 14-17, Crestone CO. Solar Heating design and Natural Building. Combines the study of solar design principles with hands-on learning. Suitable for anyone who is serious about learning how to design solar homes and buildings with proven alternative technologies and natural building techniques. A good foundation from which to grow your own knowledge and apply your own interests and skills. Instructor: Paul Shippee. $650. For details visit Crestone Solar School's web site www.crestonesolarschool.com

August 25-29, Washington MA. Compound Joinery (Timber Frame). For more information, www.heartwoodschool.com, 413.623. 6677.

September 8-13, Hopland CA. Natural Building Intensive. Course topics include building techniques including cob, wattle and daub, slipstraw, and how to integrate them with each other; how to determine what techniques and materials are appropriate for each situation; passive solar design and site analysis; alternative foundations and materials; sustainable plasters and paints; energy efficient design; recycled and non-toxic materials. Gain hands-on experience by helping to build our intern village at the Solar Living Center, PO Box 836, 13771 S. Hwy. 10, Hopland CA 95449; 707.744.2017 <sli@solarliving.org> www.solarliving.org

September 15-19, Paonia, CO. Straw Bale Construction and Natural Plasters. Offers in-depth look into the different building techniques, construction and detailing considerations of straw bale homes, including role and application of earthen plasters. Gain hands-on experience with different techniques, discuss and experience different construction and detailing ideas, and try hand at sample plasters. Help build small straw-bale structure from the foundation to the roof assembly.
www.solarenergy.org/workshops/index.html
#SustainableHome

September 27-28, LanderLand, Kingston, NM. Earth Plaster, Lime Plaster, Earthen Floor and Natural Clay Paint Workshop. Tom and Satomi Lander, www.LanderLand.com for more info. 575.895.5029 <Tom@LanderLand.com>

October 23 - 24, Natural Finishes - Earthen Plasters & Paints with Janell Kapoor (Kleiwerks), For details about courses and programs: www.kleiwerks.org For more information or to register, contact Kimchi,828.225.8820 <AVI@kleiwerks.org>
www.kleiwerks.org/events_projects.php

Sustainable Building Green Events Calendar:
http://www.greenbuilder.com/calendar/
Lists all types of green and natural events, workshops and training opportunities.

The Farm, Ecovillage Training Center, Summertown, Tennessee, offers courses and apprenticeships in natural building, ecovillage design, permaculture, bamboo cultivation and cosntruction, biofuel conversion and production, alternative energy, solar installation, among others. Ecovillage Training Center, contact 931.964.4474 (10 am-3 pm) or ecovillage@thefarm.org

Spring Workshops, Fox Maple STB campus, Maine. Natural Building, May 23-26; Intro Timber Framing, May 28-June 2; Advanced Timber Framing, June 4-9. Four-day Natural Building, $625; Intro TF, $875; Advanced TF $875. For more information and registration about these workshops and others offered by Fox Maple School of Traditional Building, PO Box 249, Brownfield, Maine 04010 <foxmaple@foxmaple.com> www.foxmaple.com/workshops.html

The Solar Living Institute promotes sustainable living through inspirational environmental education, offering hundreds of hands-on workshops on renewable energy, natural and green building, biofuels, and permaculture throughout the year. For more information, please call 707.744.2017 or visit our website www.solarliving.org

http://naturalhomes.org/learning-straw.htm will connect you to additional workshops on strawbale and natural building in the Europe, Australia, Canada and the USA.

Details and registration form for weekend workshops in straw-bale building and earth building conducted at Whangarei New Zealand by Ian E. Redfern are listed at www.adobesouth.co.nz.

Practical Business Skills for the Earth-based Vocation. A review of the step-by-step process of developing and implementing a business plan.  Instructor: Donal Kinney, tax-accountant for a diverse cross-section of Santa Fe's earth-conscious businesses. Visit Donal's website at www.beanplanter.com.

Opportunities to learn Design/Build in the Dominican Republic. Check the YesterMorrow web site for details. www.yestermorrow.org

Those interested in permaculture and gardening events related to natural building might want to visit www.oaec.org, the web site of Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, 15290 Coleman Valley Road, Occidental, CA 95465; or call 707.874.1557 ext 201. OAEC members receive discounted rates for journals such as The Last Straw and other publications related to their mission. September 13, Rainwater Harvesting Talk; September 16, Rainwater Harvesting
Tour; September 16, Permaculture Design Course (two weeks)

Fourth Saturday of Each Month (except May & December), Tucson AZ. Permaculture Brunch-Get Down to Earth/Mud Day.  
Get your hands in the mud and try out some earthen plasters on walls made of straw bales, adobe and cob. See demonstrations of permaculture strategies and get some hands-on experience: earth plasters, desert gardening, water harvesting, land restoration projects, including affordable buildings and small structures of strawbale, adobe, and cob. Hours: 10 am-2:00 pm (earlier hours in warmer weather). For more information and to register contact: Joelee Joyce, DAWN SouthWest, 520.624.1673 or <dawnaz@earthlink.net>, www.caneloproject.com/dawn  

Builders, designers and homeowners can now take rammed earth courses from a new Canadian company called SIREwall Inc. Rammed earth builders and designers teach the courses in an earth-wall studio on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. SIREwall offers eight different rammed earth courses with 32 schedule options. Course selections vary from a two-day introduction to rammed earth for homeowners to a month-long SIREwall Builder's Training for general contractors. Courses for architects and designers are accredited through the Architectural Institute of British Columbia. For information on SIREwall courses go to www.sirewall.com.

Timber framing classes. For details, call 207.442.7938 or <info@shelterinstitute.com> http://shelterinstitute.c.topica.com/maaem
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Yestermorrow - Courses and Workshops for 2008 include Deconstruction and Material Reuse, Designing Small Living Spaces, Design for Builders, Ecological Planning/Design and Construction, Ecological Water Systems, Efficiency by Design, Home Design, Home Design/Build, Solar Design, Codes/Costs and Contractors, Engineering for the Home Builder, Green Building Materials, Modern Plaster Techniques, Natural Paints and Finishes, and more. www.yestermorrow.org

Cob Cottage Company's 2008 Workshop Schedule. Visit www.cobcottage.com or call 541.942.2005.

Another source of information and training workshops is the Natural Building Network (NBN), www.naturalbuildingnetwork.org/calendar.htm

Salt Spring Island, BC Canada. SIREWALL, Inc., rammed earth builders and designers offer eight different courses with 32 schedule options, varying from two-day introduction to rammed earth for homeowners to a month-long SIREwall Builders' Training for general contractor. ACU AIBC. For information, visit www.sirewall.com

Merritt College offers courses in permaculture design; natural building (hands-on building using materials such as cob, strawbale and earth; carpentry working on affordable and green housing; and construction management. 510.434.3840 www.peralta.cc.ca.us

Everdale, farm and learning centre located near Erin, Ontario, offers events and hands-on workshops in sustainable living. The Workshop and Event Schedule from straw-bale construction and earthen and lime plastering to making your own biodiesel is available at www.everdale.org/workshops or contact <lynn@everdale.org>

Mexico Learning Experience. Natural Building & Traditional Architecture and Land Restoration & Ecological Living. Offer a place of interchange of ideas, experiences and learning in the areas of natural building, permaculture, soil restoration, organic food production, and other themes related to sustainable living. Courses are promoted by the Zopilote Association, Cob Cottage Company, and Proyecto San Isidro. Introduction both to natural building as well as to sustainable living methods. Each day has a general theme: cob, strawbale, light claystraw, etc. – to give a more in-depth experience in a variety of natural building techniques. Past courses have covered thatched roofing, rock construction, cob, strawbale, natural plasters and paints, oven-building, adobe bricks and floors, wattle and daub, alternative energy, water catchment and cleaning, composting toilets and more.
Learn about architecture and natural construction that is rooted in the land. Experience hands- and feet-on a variety of natural building techniques and practices. Participate in a group design-process and model building of a structure. Each day has a general theme: organic gardening, sustainable forestry, erosion control, sewage treatment systems, alternative education, permaculture, responsible consumption, etc. Understand and practice principles and strategies to make their lives more sustainable. Thoroughly think through personal motivations for doing work in traditional societies. Participating in  a group discussions on themes like genetically engineered plants,  use of herbicides and pesticides, ethics, etc.
$1200. To register, or for more Information, <proyectosanisidro@hotmail.com> or contact Ianto Evans, Cob Cottage Company, PO Box 123, Cottage Grove, OR 97424; 541.942.2005, fax 541.942.3021 or Michael Smith, <michael@emeraldearth.org>

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This listing of natural building events, tours, conferences, workshops and training opportunities is compiled from information sent to The Last Straw Journal by individuals, groups and organizations. Send information about events, conferences, tours, workshops and hands-on training to: The Last Straw, PO Box 22706, Lincoln NE 68542-2706; <thelaststraw@thelaststraw.org> or call 402.483.5135.

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