CA Straw Bale/Earth Building Extravaganza

[awerbalo at calpoly.edu]

September 30, 1998             Contact: Akiva Werbalowsky               
    (805) 756-5086

Straw Building Symposium
Scheduled Oct. 17-18 at Cal Poly 

 
SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Cal Poly will host the California Straw Building
Symposium and Workshop at the university's Permaculture Center and
organic farm Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, from 9:30 a.m. to 
3:30 p.m. 
 
Guest instructors and straw-bale building experts Turko Semmes and Greg
McMillan, The Straw Dogs, will teach about the financial, ecological,
aesthetic, and practical benefits of building with this annual fiber
crop and local materials.

In addition to the presentations, participants -- with the help of
experienced builders -- will be given hands-on opportunities designing,
building, stuccoing and plastering.  Special emphasis will be given to
weatherproofing straw structures.

"Like a community 'barn-raising' event, this is a deeply satisfying way
to learn-by-doing," said Akiva Werbalowsky, coordinator of Cal Poly
Permaculture.

Registration is $98 (or $49 for one day).  All materials are provided,
and comfortable clothes are recommended. Bring lunch or there are many
lunch places close by. To register or to receive information about the
Permaculture series, call Cal Poly Extended Education at (805) 756-2053.
Space is limited.
 
The weekend is part of the Cal Poly Permaculture and Ecological
Design Series coordinated by Werbalowsky; Julian Kayne, designer at the
Permaculture Center; and Larry Santoyo, one of the nation's premier
permaculture designers and an instructor at Cal Poly.