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April 24: Diesel to Vegetable Oil Fuel Conversion $115 In this workshop, participants will convert a diesel VW Jetta to run off Waste Vegetable Oil using a Greasecar Conversion kit. Students will perform all major operations in the assembly of a heated fuel system, including electrical wiring, fuel filter and tank installation, coolant plumbing, and controls. Partipants will also learn about collection and filtration of Waste Vegetable Oil. After the workshop, the car will be available for sale for $3500, including 100 gallons of grease.
May 15: KFTC FriendRaiser Kentuckians for the Commonwealth is a statewide citizens organization working for a new balance of power and a just society. The FriendRaiser is time to welcome and encourage new folks to become involved with KFTC. It is also a time for current KFTC members to come together to celebrate our work and get to know each other better. More details coming soon!
May 29-31: Cob Workshop I $335 This workshop will be an experimental cabin using Cob as infill on angled, geodesic wall sections. Participants will learn to identify appropriate materials and proportionalities for creating strong and beautiful earthen structures. We will also cover fenestrations and the use of bottles and other colored glass to create the effect of stained-glass.
June 12-13: Solar Water Heater Installation Workshop $225 In conjunction with Appalachia- Science in the Public Interest, the Ky Solar Partnership, and the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development, HomeGrown HideAways is pleased to offer a hands-on Solar Water Heater Installation workshop. This workshop will be presented in accordance with NABCEP standards and follow the NABCEP Solar Thermal Task Analysis. Pre-Requisite and Textbook Purchase Required. More Details Coming Soon!
June 26-27: EarthBag Workshop I $225 This workshop is a simple garden wall that demonstrates EarthBag basics including sourcing of materials, design specifications, and filling, stacking, tamping, and mortaring of filled bags. We will also be incorporating fenestrations, arches, and decorative glass.
July 17: Red Lick Volunteer Fire Dept. Fundraiser Live Music and Auction, Cornhole Tournament, & Concessions. More details coming soon!
July 24-25: Cob Workshop II $225 This workshop will be an experimental cabin using Cob as infill on angled, geodesic wall sections. Participants will learn to identify appropriate materials and proportionalities for creating strong and beautiful earthen structures. We will also cover fenestrations and the use of bottles and other colored glass to create the effect of stained-glass. This is a continuation of the workshop begun in May.
July 31-August 1: EarthBag Workshop II $225 This workshop is a simple garden wall that demonstrates EarthBag basics including sourcing of materials, design specifications, and filling, stacking, tamping, and mortaring of filled bags. We will also be incorporating fenestrations, arches, and decorative glass. This is a continuation of the workshop begun in June.
August 20-22: Holler in the Holler Music Festival HomeGrown HideAways annual music and art festival. See the website for more details.
September 4-5 Natural Plasters I $225 In this course, participants will learn how to create and apply beautiful hand-finished clay plasters on a variety of wall surfaces. We will cover appropriate materials and ratios, mixing, pigmentation, and application, Students will be given the opportunity to add sculptural details to finished walls.
September 11-12: Natural Plasters II $225 In this course, participants will learn how to create and apply beautiful hand-finished clay plasters on a variety of wall surfaces. We will cover appropriate materials and ratios, mixing, pigmentation, and application, Students will be given the opportunity to add sculptural details to finished walls. This is a continuation of Natural Plasters I.
October 2: National Solar Tour (Berea Edition) HomeGrown HideAways will be part of the Berea Solar Tour, sponored byAppalachia- Science in the Public Interest, the Ky Solar Partnership, and Sustainable Berea. Come see the results of the summer workshop series and speak with educated professionals about all things sustainable. Learn what you can do to make a difference in your household!
The only downside of this incredible art is that our wall became too thin to continue cobbing all the way to the roof. Of course, as any student of design knows, every challenge is a design opportunity. We are overcoming this dilemma by using SlipStraw for the loft wall above the Cob. SlipStraw is light-weight and insulative and is a faster process than Cobbing. It also has the unique characteristic of sprouting as it dries since the moisture from the clay slip initiates germination of any seeds in the straw. As the moisture dries, the sprouts die off and the wall is almost dry enough for plaster.
This week has been a little quieter without our favorite intern around asking us difficult questions like "Is the plural of fish "fish" or "fishes?" or telling us stories about how her boyfriend burned down a field trying to romance her with candles.
Erin is now safely back in North Carolina to spend time with friends and family before returning to the guantlet of her sophomore year at Berea College. We have high hopes and high expectations for this smart, beautiful, and promising young lady and look forward to watching her bloom into an incredible woman. You rock the house, Erin! (sometimes literally!).
In honor of her hard and valiant efforts with us this summer, we've compiled a slideshow of Erin depicting her favorite stance...