The End is near!

That would be the end of the Strawbale Housing Initiative Program that has been made available through Top of the Ozarks RC&D in partnership with HUD and U.M. Missouri Extension services.  We will be announcing plans for the tour on radio stations in Ava, Missouri, Houston, Missouri and West Plains, Missouri as well as regional newspapers.

It is ending November 30, 2009 We are celebrating with an open house tour December 10, 2009 There will be six strawbale houses that will be open to tour from 9:00pm till 4:30am. I will be here at the U.M.Extension Center in the Douglas County Court House, in Ava Missouri, Thursday December 10th handing out brochures and maps with driving directions. This is a one day only open house and tour. If you have questions please call me at 417 683 4409 or my cell at 417 543 4446.

The six houses are all different, they range in size from 500 sq.ft. to 3000 sq.ft.. One has a composting toilet, recycling grey water for tree irrigation, clay based plaster and recycled blue jean cotton insulation. Another has an array of solar PV panels producing approximately 90% of their power needs, energy efficient appliances and a rain water catchment for domestic water use. The largest one has approximately 30% glass coverage facing south for passive solar. All have insulated foundation perimeters and moisture barriers under the floors. Each of the home owners was striving for energy efficiency especially when they remembered $2.50 plus propane last year.

I have gained considerable knowledge about energy efficiency in the last three years working in this program with hands-on experience and wearing out a computer doing research on the web. There is so much knowledge out there at the touch of a key. I intend to stay in touch with each of the strawbale house owners to monitor heating and cooling costs and because of the friendships that have developed. The experience and research has me sold on the principle of strawbale construction and I intend to build a one for myself in several years when I slow down and have more time.

If you need someone to talk to about strawbale my phone number is Four-One-Seven- 543 4446 and my personal email is rplland AT yahoo.com.   I enjoy visiting; if you don’t believe me, try me. If you are building a strawbale house keep your bales dry and may the Lord bless you. Thanks, Richard