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“The Natural Building Essentials workshop was a terrific experience. Ziggy, April, Hazel and the whole community of folks they connected us with were all gracious hosts and inspiring teachers. There was a wonderful sense of camaraderie with fellow workshopees, we ate like champs, and my knowledge of natural building was vastly expanded and solidified. A big thank you to the Year of Mud!”
Adrian H.Natural Building Essentials 2022
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“I don’t know where to begin. The workshop was incredibly informative but the experiences and the atmosphere were truly a gift. It was such a model for joy and what could be if we took some time to slow down and see it all. The food was amazing. Not in a “I have to say this because she fed me” way, but really, truly amazing. At the risk of this turning into a novel, I’ll just say that you have something special there and I hope to come back and experience more of it. I learned a lot this week and have been further shaped by the space you provided.”
Christopher M.Timber Frame Workshop 2022
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“Ziggy and April have done an amazing job slowly and methodically perfecting their workshops. I have had the opportunity to attend both levels of the Japanese Joinery course and have learned a lot and benefited from my time on the Sunny slope! Thank you so much for facilitating such a positive and healthy learning environment. I thoroughly enjoyed this year's class and look forward to what is offered next year. If you ever have the opportunity to learn from Kohei or John, I highly recommend it”
Brian N.Japanese Carpentry Workshop 2024
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“The reason for my writing is to express how much the week of your workshop has impacted me. I have had the chance to recollect... & it is only now that I can see the whole breadth of what we learned, but most importantly how we were taught. You & Blaine & Fred presented information ( a lot of it) plainly & clearly, but also made time to talk about mistakes, side tracks & dead ends, & how important all of that is to learning such a nuanced skill.... You three were the teachers, but never from a point of all knowing, dictating, only from a point of genuine joy at opening doors. I never had an experience anything like the time spent with you, Blaine & Fred, & the entire group of other students. Along those lines, special mention needs to made of April. The welcoming atmosphere she created & the phenomenal meals, that allowed us to handle the strain of the heat & of the work required, were special treats. Many weeks later, I am still recounting pizza night. The place you two have created is extremely special & is an excellent, prime example of a HOME, not just a house. I feel honored & lucky to have been able to share that space for a small period of time.”
Walt H.Timber Frame Workshop 2022
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“Much appreciated and anticipated, this workshop experience was everything I needed and more. The community meals, the skills shared with neighbors and fellow permaculturists, artists, creative folks--made the whole experience rich, diverse and extremely grounding. See you in 2023!”
Ajeet K.Natural Building Essentials 2022
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“My wife and I took the Natural Building workshop and loved it so much that I returned later for the Timber Framing workshop. Ziggy is a wonderful, easygoing, and natural teacher—he has loads of information and experience and shares it in a relatable way. The food was excellent and far beyond my expectations—very high quality and wide variety, much of it locally-sourced... I highly recommend Ziggy's classes, hard to imagine a more fun and fulfilling week.”
PJ C.NB Essentials 2018, Timber Frame Workshop 2018
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“This was one of the best experiences of my life.”
Jeff P.Straw Bale Workshop 2012
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“...This was one of our best short vacations ever. April's meals were easily worth the cost of the entire workshop. Ziggy's classes were well organized and included everything from tool selection to cob ovens to finished walls. Six muddy thumbs up!”
Alan W. & FamilyNatural Building Essentials 2017
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“What a great and, dare I say, life changing experience. I miss you guys and hope to make another workshop next spring or summer.”
Bill E.Natural Building Essentials 2016
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“Wonderful experiences. Great for newbies and veterans alike. I can't say enough about the quality of these workshops. I have participated in both Natural Building and Timber Framing at the year of mud and I have walked away with understanding the basics of both, the necessary first step for turning the information into practical tools for my life. Thank you Year of Mud!!”
Rhett K.NB Weekend Workshop 2016, Timber Frame Workshop 2018
