Day two of the workshop at the Common Kettle Farm started early for me so I took a walk around the farm. We have been having perfect weather though by afternoon it can start feeling quite warm. The bulk of our food that we are eating is grown right here on the farm. We are enjoying a delicious vegan diet this week and it has been very good.
After breakfast we got busy finishing off the preparation for the first row of straw bales. Completing the nailers and adding the gravel. Then Andrew demoed the steps for the bale preparation. Trimming the ends of the bales, how to tie a short bale using a needle. Using a chainsaw to cut the notches for the timber framing.
Our hosts then put in the first cornerstone bale which is a straw bale tradition. We then all got busy by dividing into several groups and doing different functions of the process. We finished the day by completing the first round of bales around the barn structure.
Tomorrow our goal is to complete the rest of the bales at least on the first floor. We are now considered professionals with one day under our belts.
To learn more about Andrew Morrison and his straw bale workshops visit strawbale.com.