Killdeer, North Dakota
July 9-15, 2012
(FOR INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT IS COVERED IN EACH & EVERY WORKSHOP, CLICK HERE)
Teaching a 7 day straw bale workshop on this host’s 1,ooo acre ranch is going to be an unbelievable treat! Shelley, the host, is a veterinarian in the small town of Killdeer and moved onto this ranch, which was homesteaded by her great grandparents, just over 3 years ago. We hope you’ll be able to join us in this stunning setting to not only learn hands-on how to build a full scale straw bale home (1,500 sqft) but to also take advantage of being in a prairie region of the US which is still filled with the wonder and excitement of the wild West. If you are able, stay some extra days and join us at the 4th of July celebration in town! Below is a description of the area in Shelley’s words:
Killdeer, North Dakota is in the center of “Cowboy Country” in western North Dakota where most of our livelihood and history is in agriculture. Oil has recently boomed again in our area and there is a lot of activity in almost “gold-rush” type frenzy. Luckily, the house I will be building is tucked away on a 1,000 acre ranch which abuts a wildlife refuge on Lake Ilo and is wonderfully peaceful and quiet. The ranch was originally homesteaded by my great grandparents. I moved here about 3.5yrs ago to set up a veterinary practice and homestead on my own! You gotta be tough to live on the prairie on your own, but the extreme ND winters really makes you understand what a good neighbor is. The climate is the great equalizer among the community. Winters are harsh, summers are paradise. Don’t worry, the workshop is shortly after the summer solstice and a nice time to spend outdoors.
Killdeer is a town of about 800 people and enjoys the small western town rural environment and sense of community that has been all but forgotten in many parts of the US. Other attractions in the area include the North Dakota Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt National park. If you’ve seen the South Dakota Badlands, you’ll be surprised how colorful and vibrant our Badlands are! You can drive, hike, camp, and float down the Little Missouri River following the Lewis and Clark trail. About 1.5 hrs away is Medora, Teddy Roosevelt’s old ranch home and now a vibrant tourist destination with outdoor musicals and pitchfork fondues. It’s a slice of America that will bring pride back into your heart and highly recommended for an evening’s entertainment. Lake Sakakawea is just a ½ hr away for wonderful fishing, boating, and swimming. Killdeer Mountains, just a 10 min drive from the ranch, is a small set of mountains with a battle site for the history buffs and a lovely trek to the Medicine Hole, a special place to the natives and escape hatch during a raid. Vistas every which way you look. Wide open rolling prairie and a sky which blankets you with new art every hour.
The house itself is currently being planned and designed with the help of Chris Keefe of Organic Forms Design. It will be a roughly1500 sq ft straw bale ranch house with a basement. Thus far, all the contracted workers are clients who have brought their animals to me for veterinary care and I am excited to give them my business for building. Some have become good friends and reliable “neighbors.” The straw will be coming from about 20 miles away from a very nice, hard working ranch family whose hay and straw are much respected in the area. The framing/roofing construction will be done by a client turned friend who helps me immensely when things break down at home. It is my hope that workshop participants become friends of the house as well and feel welcomed in my home and land. I am currently living in a trailer at the site thus; shower, toilet, and refrigeration will be available. All dogs and horses welcome to come along.
It’s called the Peace Garden State for a reason……come, work, laugh, and experience the natural peace that makes this country great.
The cost to attend this workshop is $800 which includes all instruction, camping spot, use of bathing facilities, free Straw Bale DVD, and all food during the workshop. A $200 non refundable deposit secures your spot at the workshop.
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