Turns Out...I Can Build.

Aug 1

From June 18–27, I attended Wild Abundance’s Tiny House Workshop outside Barnardsville, North Carolina. I have planned on taking a class here forever, but kept running into time restraints. I signed up because I wanted to learn how to build. My long-term vision for Bear Cross Ranch includes constructing compost systems, small outbuildings, dog houses & kennels, a teardrop camper, and maybe even helping build future structures on the property. I figured this class would give me a solid foundation.

It definitely did.

Wild Abundance sits on a beautiful piece of land tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains outside Asheville. The property is designed around permaculture principles, with ponds, swales, bogs, gardens, forests, and thoughtfully designed gathering spaces. Students have even helped build many of the structures on the property over the years, including the stunning timber-frame kitchen and pavilion where we had classes, cooked, and gathered.

Timber Frame

Pavilion

Kitchen

The campus is inspiring. There are cabins, bell tents, dorm rooms, and campsites for students. I chose to camp for the ten days—and I loved every minute of it. My big tent is so comfortable and it is great in the wind and rain. There is something magical about camping in a rain storm.

The outdoor showers were wonderful, the new kitchen was incredible [kinda glad I had to wait until now to take the class because they just opened up the kitchen], and after long days of building, it was so nice to swim in the pond.

Even better, Asheville’s mountain weather brought far fewer mosquitoes than I’m used to in Wisconsin.

Our class had about twenty-five[?] students from all walks of life. Everyone was smart, funny, hardworking, curious, welcoming, and incredibly supportive. We laughed a lot, shared meals, swapped stories, explored nearby Weaverville together, found a nice sushi restaurant, wandered a farmers market, and enjoyed lunch at the fantastic Well-Bred Bakery & Café. In the evenings some of us gathered around my fancy new mobile Starlink connection to watch World Cup soccer.

This is not my first workshop [Azhen Sanctuary, Earthships, WWOOF] and I have found that strangers quickly become good friends when you’re committed to something together.

Our instructors—Andie Ladigo, Benjamin Zeitz-Moskin, Madison Moore, and Levi Saderholm—were extraordinary. They somehow managed to make every question feel worthwhile, every mistake into a learning opportunity, and every student feel capable. They were endlessly patient, incredibly knowledgeable, encouraging, and genuinely invested in everyone’s success. By the end of the workshop, I felt confident using tools that had intimidated me only days earlier.

Before the workshop officially started, I took the optional Tool School—a perfect introduction for anyone who doesn’t have much experience with power tools. Then, over the next several days our class built two tiny homes.

I learned how to:

safely use nearly every saw imaginable
measure and cut lumber accurately [props to the ‘speed square’]
use an impact driver, which is beyond satisfying
understand when you use nails, or screws, or BOTH [and why]
frame walls
install floors
build roofs
understand joists and trusses
install sheathing and ZIP System panels
install windows and doors
understand different types of foundations, skids, and trailer systems…and how concrete and rebar are good friends
…and about a million other things

And, I finally learned why a “2×4” isn’t actually 2 inches by 4 inches. Was this taught in middle-school? Did I miss this day?

One thing that I found surprising was the strange contradiction of “building”. Everything is incredibly precise—measurements matter, cuts matter, everything needs to line up perfectly.

But then something doesn’t fit…

…and suddenly you’re grabbing a Sawzall or a sledgehammer and beating the living hell out of the building. Then, miraculously, the problem is solved. Very much looking forward to getting a sledgehammer when I get home.

What impressed me most was the philosophy behind Wild Abundance. I found them doing some research online a few years ago. My hope was that they walked the talk. I mean, it was pretty clear they did, but you never know. Once I got there the commitment to nature, permaculture, community, human rights, and helping people was woven into everything they do. I very much appreciated that.

Founder Natalie Bogwalker has created something remarkable. The workshops and lodging help support the organization, and the tiny houses students build are then made available to local families at cost, making home ownership more accessible for people who need it.

That combination of education, sustainability, and community impact deeply resonates with me. Finding people who care about the same things you do is rare. Finding an entire organization built around those values is even rarer.

If you’ve ever thought about learning construction—even if you’ve never picked up a circular saw before—I can’t recommend Wild Abundance highly enough. And, I’m considering going back too. Maybe next year?