CLASSES

Weekly classes will be held as follows:

Building With Natural Materials is available every day.

On the 2nd Tuesday of each month Permaculture will be taught.

On the 3rd Monday of each month, Out door skills will be taught.

On the 4th Monday of the month, Health and Healing will be taught.

During April and May, the cost of each course is $5/day. This includes room and board.

Starting July, classes are $10/day.

For those of you in a group, "call" to schedule what classes and dates you would like.

Downloads of videos, audios, and class notes are available. So, bring a thumb drive.

Classes will take place on the organic farm, Finca Verde. This is a 2 hour bus ride and 40 minute hike from the idyllic town of Vilcabamba. Conditions are rustic and it can be muddy.

There is good phone service. However, there is no internet, no refer, no TV, and usually no man made noise.

The local town, Valadollid, has internet. The closest ATM is in Vilcabamba.

ENJOY AN EXTENSIVE LIBRARY OF BOOKS, AUDIOS, AND VIDEOS IN THE LEARNING CENTER.

If you are interested:

Read my website about the farm at michaelteamarsh.wix.com/first-attempt, open the tab titled "More", then click on "contact us". Then email us. Put "class" in the subject box. Patti will be reading this. She will send you directions and FAQ. You will need to contact her and confirm that the class has enough people (3) to be held, and that you are coming. Her phone along with mine (Nurse Mike) is listed on the email she will send you.

Dress warm for the nights, it can get down to 56 degrees F. You will be sleeping in the 10 man bunkhouse next to the panela (sugar cane) barn. Have rain gear and a flash light.

Each day will be broken up as follows:

A minimum of 2 hours class time,

2 hours available for dirt time / practicing.

2 hours available for homework.

2 hours available for experiencing farm life.

If you are looking for an outstanding learning experience, surrounded by unparalleled beauty, then, this is the place for you.

BUILDING WITH NATURAL MATERIALS

YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT:

Wattle and daub, mud, adobe, cob.

Projects may include: latrines, cottages, sauna, hot water furnace, ovens, and walls.

There is very little class time, you will learn by doing. However, numerous books and videos are available.

This class is open every week and costs $5/day.

Be ready to get muddy and have fun.

HEALING AND HEALTH, INCLUDES HEALING AND, HEALTH AND WELL BEING. A $5 supply fee is requested.

HEALING

YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO:

Apply first aid: dress and treat a wound, treat a burn, splint a leg, staunch bleeding, wrap an ankle, make and use a crevat, & emergency evacuate.

Apply Therapeutic Touch & heal with energy.

Apply acupressure, & trigger point release.

Use herbology.

HEALTH AND WELL BEING

YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT:

Heart health.

Diet and nutrition.

Exercising: walking, aerobics, isometrics, static contraction, chi gong, and the Tibetan 5 rites.

Motivation, and mindfullness in the present moment.

Fermentation.

Enjoy local teas, juices, nutrient dense organic food from the farm.

Liver cleanse.

Juice and water fast. Note: an extra $5/day fee is necessary for the juice fast.

A 30 minute health consult. Treatment sessions are $30.

OUT DOOR SKILLS

BE A HAPPY CAMPER

A $5 supply fee is requested.

YOU WILL LEARN :

3 ways to make a fire.

3 ways to light a fire.

3 different "breads" to cook on the fire.

Knife and machette skills.

Making shelters.

Using cob/mud forbuilding.

First aid and local herbs for wound care.

Building a first class camp.

Building camp furniture.

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WILL BE HELPFUL

Bring an Altoids tin or something like it if you can. We will be putting this in the fire to make a tender called char cloth.

Bring marshmallows.

Bring at least one pot that will get completely black from the camp fire.

Bring good rain gear, this is a rain forest.

Bring a head lamp or flashlight.

Bring rubber boots.

Bring a long sleeved shirt, hat, insect repellant or baby oil for my secret recipe.

Bring gloves.

Bring a pocket/folding knife and, or, a belt/hunting knife.

Bring an empty bag ideally with handles, something like a rice bag. This is so you can start making your own camping kit.

You must have boots and good rain gear.

Bring a sleeping bag or 2 blankets.

Bring a quartz rock if you can.

Your final exam (optional, on the week end) will be making your own camp off the beaten path and foraging for food. Don't worry, there will be plenty of food, this is a farm.

PERMACULTURE

LEARN HOW TO:

Plan, design, stake, sow, and prepare a garden.

Apply permaculture / organic gardening techniques, like; double digging, hugelkultur, food forest, composting, and natural fertilizing.

Care for small animals, caging, sexing, handling, nutrition.

Grow for nutrition, not just calories

ENJOY AN EXTENSIVE LIBRARY OF BOOKS, AUDIOS, AND VIDEOS IN THE LEARNING CENTER.