+FARM 2012 engaged in a variety of project workshops in the areas of construction, farming, and design. All students had a direct hand in working with professionals that have been invited to participate in this year's workshop. The environment for learning is direct, and all students are engaged in a variety of tasks. All the participating students were wonderful to work with, and each was a pleasant addition to the program.
A summary of the workshops provided, as follows;
Construction Workshop - Days 1+2: Working with a professional craftsmen with 40 years experience in Historic Home Remodeling
-Documentation + demolition of the exterior wood porch framing, and stone foundations
-Rebuilding the exterior porches, and rebuilding the stone foundation
-Building from scratch a new bilco door and storm windows
Farming Workshop - Day 3+4: Working with farmers that have successfully run a grass fed farm for 40 years. To see how a farm operates, and what is required to feed america.
-Feeding the 300 sheep that live on the farm
-Working directly with the farmers, students help save the lives of 160 sheep that were in need of medicine
-Clearing of a field to provide additional land - Students were working in teams to drive tractors and clear the field
-Building damns to provide water sources in a time of serious drought.
-Repairing the damaged chicken coop
Design Workshop - Days 5+6: Working directly with design professionals 5 installations were built that measured the forces of the farm (or revealed certain obserations made by the team).
-Mapping exercise to reveal the ideas of the various conditions relevant to understanding the site.
-Designing a 5'-0 x 5'-0" x 5'-0" installation that relates to the landscape, and 1860s farm house using only "as found" materials.
-Students worked in teams to construct their installations that respond to the environmental behaviors of their choice.
