Dedicated to the environment and its members, together as ecosystems.
"The true value of life is to be humble before all God's creatures"
From Stranger by the River by Paul Twitchell
(see "Books - Spiritual Journey")
Would you enjoy a warm Cob Oven or a Cob Home to live in?
Cob is as warm or cool as the air temperature, and we work it with our bare feet and hands. It also dries in sun and warm wind so we don't cob in the winter unless you really, really need to know how then.
Depending on the project you will need to have at two to four consecutive days that you can commit so that layers of cob can be built on the previous days cob when it is dry enough to support more weight but still moist enough to create a good bond.
You can be one of the one third of people world-wide who choose cob to live in because it costs very little, breaths moisture in and out so is not damp, has great thermal mass being warm in winter and cool in summer, reflects the builders own beingness, does not require machinery, feels good, is hypoallergenic, and returns to the earth as clay and stone when you are finished with it.
Cobbing Workshops 2010
Thomas (left), Yannick (window), David 'n Tim (seated) April 25 2009
Cob Oven - March 6th and 7th 2009
Or following weekend (13th and 14th) if wet
The foundation has been built (see it on left in above photo). A cob oven will be sculpted into the wall pictured (which has been completed and roofed). You will learn how to make cob, what it is, how to make your own cob oven with about $200 of materials (mostly for the fire-brick base). You can literally spend several thousand dollars buying an equivalent.
Hours are 8:45am to 5:30pm both days at 239 Waitati Valley Rd, 13.5km north from Dunedin's Octagon. Lunch is shared pot-luck on-site, please bring a plate. Herbal teas and hot water provided. Students need to attend full time both days so that to know how to make cob ovens and cob rocket cookers themselves. Those unable to come both days can still learn how to make cob and how to build with it.
There are only 10 places available on this course so email or phone (see below) as soon as you can. The two day workshop is really good value compared to what you pay overseas for similar workshops. We have kept the fee to just NZ$197 per person paid by e-transfer at least 3 days in advance, or $240 after that and on day, if places available. Those coming both days and those who have paid first will be given preference. The price for one day only is $147, paid at least 3 days in advance, or $180 after that and on the day. All fees refunded if no space available or if cancelled both weekends due to weather. Phone 0211-22-0910 between 7:30am and 8:30am on the day if not sure of weather.
When you email us your intention to enrol we will email you our bank account number for direct deposit or e-transfer. Fees are not refunded if you cancel.
This is the last basic cob earth building workshop at which students can learn to both make cob and lay it up into a wall at Harmony. The workshop will be going ahead regardless of numbers and as the maximum is 10 you willĘget plenty of personal tuition.
Plastering
Like to learn plastering? We'd love to teach you and that's what we will be teaching late March and April 2010 so let us know if you want to come and we'll keep you up to date on happenings.Earth Floors
Let me know if you want to learn how to make earth floors later in 2010.Student Appraisals:
Daniel March 2nd, 2004
"Gave my feet a real workout while learning to prepare cob, an earthen building material! David and Lorraine were very kind and accomodating, and shared their home, internet, potatoes, and plenty of fresh greens out of the garden. Harmony is really a very special spot in the middle of regenerating native bush."
Annabel Feb 16th, 2004
"Beautiful, serene place to build a cob oven.... in the mud as always and happy to see Daisy and you (David) eager to get involved. Have fun in your future cob ventures. Enjoy those tasty treats that will soon emerge from its belly."
For texts on Earth Building see Book Reviews
Enquires and Bookings
With 20 years of teaching and practice in natural therapies I was drawn to start working with the land as well. I show her the same respect of offering healing energy, light and sound, to All Beings and trusting they/it will do whatever is right for them. My primary word is HU (pronounced as in the male name) and my primary gift is to listen.
In the above photo Harmony's 5th Birthday is celebrated on the 29th of October, 2006 with Denis (the Southern Man on guitar, www.thesouthernman.co.nz) and Marreta Henderson singing Harmony's and other songs before we follow Leslie Lightfall, Earth Sound Healer, up to Contemplation Ridge to sing to the elementals and devas of Harmony.
At Harmony we have been working with all beings since 2001 and the difference in trust and respect can be felt in the energy of the place, and in talking as soul to any of the beings wishing to converse. At Harmony we are all Souls on a journey of self-discovery conscious that Soul exists because God loves it. God is continuously gifting Soul the experiences that best teach it Love. As the first first of Harmony's song sings "Oceans of love connecting with each other, Having mercy for every soul, Conscious gifting of love through out the land"
Courses are created on demand for you to learn ways you can communicate with animals, plants, and devas. How to gift energy to the land and all its beings. How each being and its differences are respected as Soul.
Student Appraisal:
Eileen December, 2003 said this of her experience with All Beings:
"I have enjoyed the peace and quiet, lovely views on the Kowhai Trail and being close to nature. Shame I didn't get to meet Lorraine and I will miss my friend Betty the Bee who spent so much time in the tent with me. Good luck with Harmony Farm!"
Earth Healing Workshops
For a learning journey of two hours or more my fees are based on group size:1 - 6 people: $144 a two hour period. ($24 to $140 each).
Additional people up to a maximum of 12: $20 per person.
Rebirthing Workshops
Dates to be announced.Email us if interested.
- All Beings: Conscious Living with Devas, Elementals, Plants, Animals, Self, and Spirit
- Forest Gardening and Certificate in Forest Gardening and Permaculture
- Herbal Medicine
- Native Forest: Guardians and Monitoring
- Sustainable Building
- Sustainable Energy Systems and Certificate in Sustainable Building and Energy
- Solar Power Production
- Trail Making
We look forward to meeting you!
Enquires and Bookings
Background Reading
Stories of Communication with All Beings
Stories of Living with Daily Miracles
Harmony Farm Blog
Harmony Forest Blog