Pro Course in Straw Bale Construction (21 Aug 2026)

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Pro Course in Straw Bale Construction

August 21-23, 2026

Cottage Grove, Oregon

This CASBA course in Straw Bale Construction will develop your skills in all aspects of straw bale construction. Taking place at the Center for Rural Livelihoods, the course will be a combination of demonstration, discussion, and hands-on learning. Instructors are professional straw bale contractors, architects, engineers, plasterers, energy modelers, and more with a combined experience of a thousand straw bale buildings. This course is suitable for everyone interested in straw bale construction from beginners to building professionals. Supplemental videos and recommended reading materials will provide a solid base of knowledge and common language to work from.

When: Instruction begins at Friday, Aug 21 @ 9am. Participants are encouraged to arrive Thur, Aug 20 3pm-9pm to set up your tent / socialize. Course ends mid-morning Sunday, Aug 23.

Location: Center for Rural Livelihoods, Cottage Grove, OR. Click here to link to the Center for Rural Livelihood's website if you want to know more about their program / site.

Accommodations:

Camping available ($30 / person / site), onsite with shower & toilet
Offsite lodging options available in nearby Cottage Grove

Food: Some meals will be provided, details will follow.

Cost: Registration open till August 16th

Early Bird through June 30th - $495

Regular Price - $595
Pay It Forward - help out a scholarship student - $695
Scholarships (as available) - contact Christopher Foraker - christopherforaker@gmail.com

Course Content:

Current best practices in design and construction of wall assemblies
Code requirements for straw bale construction
How to source, shape, install and stuff bale walls
Electrical and plumbing options
Door and window detailing
Cost saving strategies
Plaster preparation
...and more!

Registrant Requirements: Pre-course preparation will greatly improve your learning experience

Complete the Pro Course Primer Videos before arrival (link will be emailed by mid July)
Read Straw Bale Building Details Book from New Society Publishers (available for purchase here)
Fill out intake questionnaire (will be emailed after registration)

Instructors:

Miles Taylor

Lydia Dolman

Chris Foraker

Jenna Bader

Kita Glass

Catherine Odell

Jim Reiland

[with Anthony Dente, Martin Hammer & David Eisenberg, Bob Theis, Miles Danforth & Amanda Fischer, Massey Burke]

Contacts for additional information / questions:

Accommodations/Scholarships: Christopher Foraker - christopherforaker@gmail.com

Curriculum: Jim Reiland - jim@manyhandsbuilders.com, cell 541-200-9546

Please share this poster and QR code with friends who may be interested!

California Straw Building Association (CASBA) upcoming events

Pro Course in Straw Bale Construction (21 Aug 2026)