world domination gardening workshop March 21-23, 2014

World Domination Gardening Workshop - March 21, 22, 23, 2014 at Wheaton Laboratories here in Montana.

This is a closed workshop, for up to 20 Kickstarter supporters only. (This Kickstarter ends/ended Feb. 24)

Participants get to drive the excavators and be part of building a pond, a swale, a hugelkultur bed, PLUS a wind breaking berm and shaping land to grow a lemon tree outdoors in Montana. For no extra charge than what they put into the Kickstarter.

If less than 20 people say they want to come, then everybody gets to come. If more than 20 people want to come, then we will limit the crowd to the 20 people who contributed the most to this Kickstarter.

The important thing is that Paul's excavator is MUCH BIGGER than the one used at the San Diego workshop! 12 tons baby! Plus, we will also have a 30 ton excavator that we will rent for the workshop. BEEFY!

We are not providing food or housing for this workshop. You are welcome to camp here, though know that the average high/low temps in March around here are 50/27. Confirmed participants will be sent local lodging options.

More questions? See workshop FAQs (though the food and housing does not apply to this workshop) or e-mail workshop AT richsoil DOT com.

It is possible that we will have classroom time, but it is not a guaranteed thing.

Mostly, the goal is to do the actual work for the sake of the video.

It sounds like the trac hoe we will be renting will probably be a cat 32 ton (but that can still change).

Pack a sack lunch and dress for being outside without shelter all day!

Sounds like an awesome workshop! I was just going to send an email but I figured some other people might have these same questions. How long will you wait for a response from the kickstarter supporters before you open up any remaining spots for the general public? If there does happen to be some openings, what kind of price tag would a person be looking at to attend the workshop? I'd be surprised if this workshop doesn't fill up from the kickstarter supporters but I still have my fingers crossed anyway

If there are only 12 people from the kickstarter that want to come, then there will be only 12 people at the workshop. We made it pretty clear that this is for the kickstarter supporters only.

I want to point out that this is non-transferable. So if "Sally Jones" supports the kickstarter, then "Sally Jones" is invited. But Sally cannot pass her ticket on to her brother/father/son/husband "Steve Jones".

In the past, this seemed like no big deal. And now our experience is that it turns into a breeding ground for headache. We're just not fooling with it this time.

Because it was already asked, this workshop is for adults only (no minors) due to the heavy equipment.

What time does it start and stop? I.e., is it better to plan on arriving Thursday night and leaving Monday morning?

Each day will start at 9am and end at 5pm with an hour break for lunch.

hi Paul and everyone, I am a backer but I am in Italy so don't worry I won't be asking to come, It would be awesome though!!! not so much for the fact that I could meet Paul but to drive the monster!!! Joking, it was my first kickstarter and I think it was great. can't wait to receive my videos in streaming. Paul what can I say thanks, a presto!

Any chance of joining on 3/22 & 3/23? Friday's out for me (unless a miracle happens at work) and I would be driving over from south central Montana.

Monte Cook wrote:Any chance of joining on 3/22 & 3/23? Friday's out for me (unless a miracle happens at work) and I would be driving over from south central Montana.

We'll be prioritizing spots based on how much was contributed - so I don't think we'd deny you if you can't make Friday. The thing is though, we currently have more interest than available spots, so we will be reducing that list to the top contributors after the 48 hour cut off.

paul wheaton wrote:I want to point out that this is non-transferable. So if "Sally Jones" supports the kickstarter, then "Sally Jones" is invited. But Sally cannot pass her ticket on to her brother/father/son/husband "Steve Jones".

In the past, this seemed like no big deal. And now our experience is that it turns into a breeding ground for headache. We're just not fooling with it this time.

I actually didn't have my own pay pal account at the time. So mine would be listed under someone else's name. Just timing... names on bank account stuff I am in the middle of. I totally understand it being non-transferable. The logistics around setting up this workshop for the KS contributors must be difficult enough without adding that wrinkle to it.

I am just stoked that it made the stretch, stretch goal.

Congrats to all.
A.J.

So how much is the cost?

Roberta Horne wrote:So how much is the cost?

Hi Roberta - welcome to permies!

As we said in the first post:

Jocelyn Campbell wrote:This is a closed workshop, for up to 20 Kickstarter supporters only. (This Kickstarter ends/ended Feb. 24)

The event is only three days and the goals are quite lofty. (Sounds like how I try to plan my day.)
What are you going to start first, pond, swale...?
How far are you from the airport? Nearest town? I'm assuming a car rental needs to be included in the budget.
Thanks,

Yes, I know it is for the kick starter people. I am one. Just haven't heard about expense details. Wondering if I can afford to try and go.

Katherine Tedder wrote:How far are you from the airport? Nearest town? I'm assuming a car rental needs to be included in the budget.
Thanks,

Hi Katherine and Roberta, did you see the FAQ thread that was linked in the first post?

Jocelyn Campbell wrote:More questions? See workshop FAQs (though the food and housing does not apply to this workshop) or e-mail workshop AT richsoil DOT com.

From the FAQ page, here is the location question and answer:

Q: Where are you located?

A: Near Missoula, Montana. Once workshop participants have paid the workshop fee, they will be sent the address and directions, and, if requested, a list of local, offsite accommodations and camping. See the location & visitors thread for how and why we ask for help in maintaining our privacy.

There is no workshop cost to the Kickstarter supporters who will make the cut. (Again, we've had more requests to come than we have spots for, so we will be taking those who contributed the most first.) You will need to provide your own transportation, food and housing. We do not have an option for you to eat onsite (except for bringing your own sack lunch). Once we have our list of 20 participants, each will receive directions and more information. At that stage, it might be possible to arrange carpools to reduce car rentals for folks.

Most likely, you will not be able to drive your vehicle from base camp to the workshop on the lab, so we'll do that transport after you reach base camp each day. This is part of the reason we are limiting this to 20 people.

Sorry Jocelyn,
I'm a little excited!!! Won't bug ya again!
Thanks,
:-D

I am another wish I could be there and so damn glad it is to be. I am at a conference those dates many moons travel away from Montana, but thoughts will be with you and I look forward to watching the results. Cheers

I'm thrilled you made it to this stretch goal! I wish I could come, but alas! Question: How far along do you expect this workshop to get you towards Paul's goal of making that creek run? I dunno, but maybe that creek will be an indirect result of other earthworks (like the pond, swale, etc mentioned for this workshop)?

Sam is now sending out e-mails to those who made the cut. Please confirm whether you will attend as we have a long list of people for only 20 spots. We'll be making a waiting list in case of cancellations.

Here is the second excavator. A cat 329D

At this point in time, everybody that asked to come should have received an email stating whether they are in or out.

Sorry - I won't be coming but I am excited that you got a good response. Not exactly 30,000 but some kindred spirits. I am looking forward to seeing the streaming dvds.
Best-

I'll be there. It sounds so much fun. I'll be camping out and as for the email I received that and replied so I hope this is all sufficient. Thank you.

Hi Taylor, glad you posted here and that you're coming!

Unfortunately, we're not offering camping at wheaton labs for this March workshop due to not being quite dug (and pumped!) out after the winter thaw. We still have much water harvesting/mitigation and other terra-forming to do! We will send you other lodging information via e-mail.

I am flying into Missoula on the 20th for the workshop. I arrive around 12:30 if all goes well. Are there others flying in?
I am coming from Florida to Denver and would like to know who is coming and what area are you from?
David

for the workshop

Oooohhh... big toys!

Zach Weiss and Paul in the pond excavation site. I heard they found water at 14'!! I'm in the office attempting to do bookkeeping while they are gone. Kinda hard to do with news like that.

Here is the water that Zack found

Paul thinks the water is likely just snow melt. Dang.

Looks like some good clay for pond sealing, though!

A bit of a talk given by "The Duke" & Zach Weiss about the proposed pond site's geology. The consensus seems to be that a creek once flowed though here but subed out when the creek bed filled with silt.

Zach Weiss starts the dig. It's just a "best guess" at this point & all fingers are crossed. The creek could exist many yards in either direction or not at all. It could also be so deep underground that it's just too impractical to reach. Only time will tell.
-PD

We were working on the tefa project when we broke for lunch. I decided to eat my lunch back at the pond dig site mainly because that's where I left my sandwich. I think within 10 min of arriving Zach calls Tim Skufca over to the ditch to take a look at what he sees. Water flowing into the ditch at around 14' deep. Zach thinks he may have found the creek. I email Paul the news...Hot Dog! Is the reply.

Paul comes over to the pond project to examine the ditch. Dams & particularly clay keyways are explained to the group.