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The Year of Mud

Empowering & enriching Natural Building Workshops in eastern Kentucky

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The Year of Mud offers a variety of high quality, hands-on Natural Building Workshops, including timber framing, straw bale, cob and more. We’re dedicated to creating rich, personalized learning experiences. Our workshops are a place where you can take your curiosity to the next level, forge new friendships, and return home with essential building skills and knowledge that folks often claim exceeded their expectations. Sign up for our newsletter to get news about our upcoming 2020 schedule.

2020 Workshops: Not To Be Missed

Natural Building Essentials Workshop

(May 23-26, 2020)
An excellent course for new natural builders – learn about the versatility of clay and straw in our 4 day hands-on class

Japanese Carpentry Workshop

(July 4-10, 2020)
NEW! A rare chance to learn traditional carpentry methods and skills with professional carpenters from Japan — DETAILS COMING SOON

Timber Frame Workshop

(August 8 – 14, 2019)
One of our most popular courses: a 7 day exploration of traditional timber framing techniques with hand tools. Beginner-friendly!dly!

Permaculture in Practice Workshop

(September 2020 dates TBA)
An immersive learning experience at an off-grid, solar-powered farm. Learn about no-till crops, intensive vegetable production, perennial tree crops, hugelkultur, swales, & more

Praise From Our Participants

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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

What’s The Year of Mud, Anyway?

Hi there, Ziggy here. Each year, my partner April and I host Natural Building Workshops to teach folks essential natural building skills, including straw bale, cob, natural plaster, & timber framing. I love the connection and community-building that comes with hosting classes at our Kentucky homestead. Have a look around, sign up for a class, or get in touch if you’d like to collaborate on a project of your own!