Curt's Ponderings From The Bioshelter

  Today, Cindee and I are out putting down pilings for the greenhouse we are building.   A greenhouse has always been a part of our permaculture design for this property.   Alaska has such a short growing season that a greenhouse is a must for anyone, who wishes to enjoy crops like tomatoes, peppers or cucumbers.   Besides, we get so much sun on our southwest-facing slope, it would be a real shame to waste it. Since our home has always been an experimental home, we decided our greenhouse needed to be an experimental design, as well.   And since our home is now the Alaskan Ecoescape Permaculture Learning Center , we decided the greenhouse needed be built largely according to permaculture design principles.    The result has been a lot of hard work.   This is especially true, since we will build the walls of locally harvested clay, straw and sand.   We will be offering a class on clay-straw building this weekend (June 1-2) and every...

 For me, this blog is an exercise in practical theology.   Practical theology attempts to address the most burning issues present in the world by connect the eternal wisdom and guidance contained in the Christian faith with the best societal thinking available regarding the issue at hand.   It is my opinion that the biggest issue of our day is the unsustainability of our current way of life.   Our best scientists have shown that if we do not make drastic changes in human life now, the future looks bleak. I believe that the principles of permaculture fit well with the principles and values of the Christian faith.   This blog tries to make that connection, and tries to challenge and inspire others to learn about Christianity and permaculture as inspiration and guides. The Solarium in our Bioshelter Home We have converted our home into a Permaculture Learning Center Still, I have not always found the connections easy.   For instance, a woman in ...

This winter Cindee and I (mostly Cindee) have been planning our main permaculture project for the summer: a greenhouse constructed with clay-straw construction.   On June 1 and 2 we will be offering a hands-on workshop on clay-straw construction, with local clay-straw builder, Lasse Holmes, teaching the class.   Since he will be using our building site to teach his class, the class will also give us guidance, and hands-on instruction when we begin the clay-straw part of the construction. The Construction Site Before the Greenhouse When we talk about projects like this, some people tell us it all sounds terribly romantic...and...I suppose it is.  But the romance gives way to the practical once we immerse ourselves in the research, the networking and the labor it takes to make it all happen.  For instance, using clay-straw to build has meant that we have already had to invest ourselves in finding and harvesting  (that is, digging and hauling) the clay an...