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Welcome to our classes, dedicated to the instruction of self-sufficiency and
living skills for rural settings

All classes are $125.00 two day events, 9AM to 5PM.   Free camping on site is available for those wishing to camp. 

Classes have been suspended for the time being due to health reasons 
cbello@savetrees.org 

•   Building Forest Mountain Trails Workshops -- View several miles of beautiful hand built  trails with switchbacks and staircases built on  400 acre Redwood Forest Ranch.  4 hours hands on instruction extending a portion of trail presently under construction.  Learn to use ropes, come-along, picks, and shovels.
  
•  Organic Gardening and Farming Workshops - Including hands on instruction on grafting of different varieties of fruit trees on a single tree, general instruction on pruning, composting, soils, crops, frost fighting, protection of fruit crops from wildlife (Quick easy and inexpensive system for deer fencing), protection of crops  from birds, raccoons, chipmunks, bears
  
•  Beginning photovoltaics work shops - Including basic electricity, load analysis, and components of various systems.  Hands-on session and tour of working solar system on site. Demonstration and instruction of passive and active solar hot water systems, working out door solar hot water showers  and domestic hot water heating systems.
  
•  Build inexpensive 25 ft. diameter Geodesic Dome Greenhouse Workshop  This greenhouse is built with 1/2 inch x 3/4 inch wood slats, clear plastic sheeting, and a staple gun.  Plans for 16 1/2 ft, 25ft, 30ft, Geodesic Dome Greenhouses will be made available to participants on request.
  
• Building with stone Workshops  Learn how to simply and quickly build beautiful, structurally sound stone-faced concrete walls of all sizes and shapes.  This technique was used by Frank Lloyd Wright and Helen and Scott Nearing.  A curved garden terrace wall will be started and completed.  Forms are striped the same day so that the wall can be carved, sculpted and cleaned resulting in a long-lasting product that an inexperienced person can complete with ease.  Learn also how to use this technique to build benches, load supporting walls, arches, fireplaces and curvilinear walls while becoming inspired to tackle your own projects.
  
• Construction skills workshops  Basics - use and safe use of chainsaws, falling trees, milling timber with portable saw mills, cutting glass, operation of backhoe, small motor trouble shoot, tricks connecting PVC pipes, soldering copper pipes, introduction to brazing and arc and acetylene welding, and more as time and interest indicate.
  
• Food Processing Workshops - Hands on Instruction quick, easy, efficient and effective on open kettle method of canning,  fruit puree, tomatoes sauce, fruit leather, apple juice, and apple butter. All students will take home with them products from their instructions for their own use.

All classes are held at the Redwood Forest Ranch half way between Willits and Fort Bragg, California, on a beautiful, private 400 acre, self-sufficient ranch.  

Each class allows 4 hours for recreational purposes which include a conducted guided tour of RFI's  Headquarters  facilities on a working 400 acre self-sufficient ranch, and hikes and overview of some of the other activities on site.  For those camping overnight and or those who wish to stay over for evening entertainment, there will be a campfire with music, stories, and discussion of environmental issues with a focus on what is happening in the redwood forest and what RFI is doing about it.  Bring an instrument if you have one.

Free camping is allowed on site is allowed on site.

• Liability release is required. 
• Space is limited: Most of our  sessions fill up quickly.  
• Payment must be made in full  
• Cancellations made prior to 2 weeks from workshop date will be charged a  $50.00 cancellation fee.  
• Cancellations made within 2 weeks of workshop are non-refundable.
• Student discounts are allowed.

To register, please contact us by E mail at cbello@savetrees.org >  or phone (707)-459-2391 evenings, to learn more about these and other unique environment-friendly educational opportunities.  

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