September 19

Today was a very productive day! We started early and had lots of volunteers come out. These photos document some of the many things that were accomplished today.

Assembling the wall panels - putting in blocking to strengthen the walls.

Working on the wall panels.

Making sure the panels are perfectly square.

Attaching stucco wire to one side of the panel. We will stuff in the straw bales, then add another layer to the other side to keep them in place. The wire is also used once the panels are installed to attach the stucco.

Working on another wall panel.

Putting the wall panel into place. The bales will be put into the panels on site, then the panels will be tilted into place on top of the grade beam and attached.

A row of wall panels along the north grade beam.

The work site through stucco wire.

Treated 2x6 plates are bolted onto the grade beam using expanding bolts. A layer of vapour barrier wraps over the foundation and around the inside board to ensure that moisture had a path into the ground and away from the wall panels.

Wayne brings his cultivator to the site to start to prepare the large garden site.

The cultivator breaks up the soil. In a week or so, the soil can be worked further with a discer, and then compost and manure can be added to prepare the garden for planting in the spring.