Opening up new land and building a new pond

With Nick Young's help we have extended the northwest field, constructed a new fence and new pond. We planning to extend our orchard into that area.

Oven base

The sketch shows details of the oven base foundation.

This photo shows the retaining wall complete with posts for the roof supports and rubble fill.

The reason for pouring the slab is to keep the oven from settling unevenly.  Since the rubble may still move as it settles, the slab makes sure the oven doesn't crack as this happens.

Wine bottles are set in clay slip perlite mix to insulate oven so that heat doesn't escape into the rubble below.

Starting the center line of the bricks on the leveled sand before completing the fire brick floor.

Planning for our Cob or Earth Oven

Holger was out today  planning two workshops to build an earth oven at the farm. We chose a site and drew up plans.  We need to get a small excavator in to prep the site and move some rocks.  I'll try to update this blog as the work progresses. Here are descriptions of the workshops: Earth Oven Building Workshop We are building a wood fired oven using local building materials including cob. Join us in community, learn by doing, and help build an oven. Holger will share various oven designs, materials, and techniques to inspire you to build your own. Bring your own lunch or enjoy an organic farm lunch for $14. Taught by Holger Laerad at ALM farm Saturday July 31. 10am-5pm Fee: $55

Earth Oven Finishing and Baking Time to put the finishing touches on the oven and test it out! This course will cover plasters, finishing and sculpting the oven, firing the oven and baking in it. Please bring your favorite pizza toppings to create your own edible masterpiece as this course includes making and baking pizzas. Sunday Aug 22. 10:00 – 2:00pm Fee $45

Here are some photos of earth ovens