-
Brad Vietje
- Male
- South Ryegate, VT
- United States
- Share
- Blog Posts (1)
- Discussions (4)
- Events (1)
- Groups -- Add your Vermont Group to VT Resources (3)
- Photos (9)
- Photo Albums
- Videos
Brad Vietje's Groups
-
Masonry Heater VT
22 members
-
Natural Building
18 members
-
Ryegate Commons Farm &...
5 members
Brad Vietje's Discussions
Home Energy Consumption
Andrew, from what I read and from conversations with Ben Graham, the moisture movement issue is pretty well resolved for this climate. I want to put some moisture sensors in the walls for my own ed...
Replied Oct 27
Home Energy Consumption
Hi Andrew, My apologies for writing a novel -- probably not going to be a best seller! I appreciate the advice on new products and methods -- I can tell you've really made a study of building per...
Replied Oct 26
Home Energy Consumption
Weatherstripping is huge, and can be the best bang-for-the-buck thing a homeowner or renter can do, especially in existing buildings. I agree with Andrew entirely on that. The idea of "too tight" ...
Replied Oct 24
Home Energy Consumption
Good Points, James -- thank you. Regarding computers, laptop or notebook computers use a lot less power than desktop models. This may not apply to many in the transition movement, but Television ...
Replied Oct 16
Brad Vietje's Events
-
Cheesemaking With Raw Goats Milk
December 7, 2009 from 1pm to 4pm – Presbyterian Church
Brad Vietje's Page
Latest Activity
Cheesemaking With Raw Goats Milk at Presbyterian Church
December 7, 2009 from 1pm to 4pm
Making cheese from raw goats milk with Mary Ellen Davis, of Fox Well Farm, West Newbury, VT. Workshop Limited to 12 people.
Monday, 12/7, from 1 - 4 PM at Presbyterian Church, South Ryegate, VT
Call Shelby at Rural Vermont: 802-223-7222 or e-mai...
Another Winter Market:
Groton Growers Market
Groton, VT Town Hall
Route 302, Groton
Winter: 3rd Saturday 10-2 Holiday Market for 2009 is Sat., Nov. 21, 10 - 2
Summer: Every Saturday (outdoors) at bandstand in center of village.
Contact Mary Berl...
This brings up some interesting and even frightening questions...
It seems there are many ways to respond to a changing world, but they all seem to fall into two broad categories:
1. Helpful, cooperative, nurturing, community-building actions an...
Planning meeting for the Village Building Convergence 2010 at Kellogg Hubbard Library, Montpelier
November 10, 2009 from 6:30pm to 8pm
After a successful first year, we are planning early for the second annual Village Building Convergence to take place in the summer of 2010, and are looking for people interested to be involved in organizing. Please check out info from our last co...
WOW! Nice publication. The more we all share what we're doing, the more impact we will have. I truly believe the 100th Monkey sort of thing will happen if we all keep working and sharing and making the world a better place.
Clear skies,
Brad
Andrew, from what I read and from conversations with Ben Graham, the moisture movement issue is pretty well resolved for this climate. I want to put some moisture sensors in the walls for my own education, but Ben says he's not at all worried, sin...
Hi Andrew,
My apologies for writing a novel -- probably not going to be a best seller!
I appreciate the advice on new products and methods -- I can tell you've really made a study of building performance. My own house is has straw bale walls, so...
Friends of mine are making Masonry Heater cores and kits here in Newbury, VT; I've asked them to have a look and consider joining. Their intent is to offer engineered cores so the heater will work well with no trial and error, and to cost less th...
Discussion group for heater masons and interested folks.
Weatherstripping is huge, and can be the best bang-for-the-buck thing a homeowner or renter can do, especially in existing buildings. I agree with Andrew entirely on that.
The idea of "too tight" is one that may need a little more discussion, tho...
Profile Information
- "How are you involved in preparing for the changes that peak oil, economic instabilty and climate change are bringing, and in creating resilience and sustainable life style in our communities?"
- * Active in Peak Oil awareness efforts
* Active in local farmers markets
* Renewable Energy adviser to local Energy committees
* Solar Consultant to Zero Energy Building business
* Renewable energy workshops and public events
* Permaculture design
* Solar installations
- In what ways do you identify with the Transition movement? Why are you interested?
- Climate Change got me interested in addressing pressing world issues, but Peak Oil scares the hell out of me. Throw in overpopulation, and we have a real mess.
I have a son who is a medivac helicopter pilot in the VT National Guard, who joined 2 weeks before 9-11. Since then I have been doing everything I can to reduce my use of petroleum products. This includes changing where, and the way way I live, changing careers and working in the solar industry, reducing my driving by about 70%, etc... I've been active in Peak Oil awareness movements, and MFSO.
My wife and I are now building a Zero Energy Straw Bale home in Newbury with solar heat and hot water, grid-tied solar electric, root cellar, etc...
- How can you help the growth/acceptance/vitality of the Transition movement?
- Spreading awareness through public events, such as SolarFest and LEAF, and offering smaller, local workshops on sustainable living, re-localization and re-skilling.
- Your Favorite Books/Websites/Blogs/RSS Feeds for Information about the Transition Movement
- * Heinberg titles
* High Noon For Natural Gas -- Darley
* The Oil Drum
many others...
- Your Personal Website (if you have one)
- http://vtstrawbalehouse.blogspot.com
Brad Vietje's Photos
Brad Vietje's Blog
Straw Bale Update
Hi Folks,
Lots going on here in Newbury. Bale walls are going up, and external plastering may even start today. Check in and check it out at Vermont Straw Bale Adventures:
http://vtstrawbalehouse.blogspot.com/
Clear skies,
Brad Vietje
Newbury, VT
Lots going on here in Newbury. Bale walls are going up, and external plastering may even start today. Check in and check it out at Vermont Straw Bale Adventures:
http://vtstrawbalehouse.blogspot.com/
Clear skies,
Brad Vietje
Newbury, VT
Posted on October 14, 2009 at 7:23am —
Comment Wall (5 comments)
- At 5:13pm on October 24, 2009,
Steven Landau said…
- Brad- I was curious about why you decided to build a new house with Timber Frame and Straw Bales. I am pondering this issue also. The options I am considering is Timber/Straw/Natural Plaster (natural building methods)
or
More modern, Passivhaus, SIP's, 16" of Cellulose, with 2" foam on outside to reduce thermal breaks.
The problem with the super insulated is I can't really put in masonry or traditional wood stove because the heat load is so low.
- At 9:35am on October 19, 2009,
genevieve ehlers drutchas said…
- Hi Brad,
Pretty cool stone work, eh? It's the Gallarus Oratory on the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland. All dry work - amazing shape - a door on the west end and that little window on the east - dated 700 A.D. Have a great day. Genevieve
- At 8:13pm on October 18, 2009,
Jay Walsh said… - Hi Brad,
I have been doing some testing on straw bale homes throughout the Northeast and would be interested in seeing the progress of your home. Happens my family and I are visiting in Quebec this weekend and will be traveling home South on VT Route 91 on Monday (10/19 Tomorrow).
Would it be possible to drop in on the construction for a few minutes some time Monday? I would need some directions or an address for the site.
Sincerely, Jay Walsh (Transition Vermont member)
email: jaywalsh@usa.net
- At 10:58am on October 6, 2009,
Les Squires said…
- Welcome Brad. I agree with George about all your activities! Please feel free to add http://vtstrawbalehouse.blogspot.com to our registry of Groups supporting Transition in Vermont. Do the same with http://transitionus.ning.com if you'd like. Let me know if you have questions.
- At 8:58am on October 6, 2009,
George Lisi said… - Welcome Brad!
Thank you for your inspiring example, and all you do!
Enjoy this additional means of connecting and sharing relevant matters...
Cheers! George Lisi, Transition Town Montpelier ~
About
Photos
Videos
-
sixbrick rocket stove
Added by Matthew DeLorey
-
16 brick rocket stove
Added by Matthew DeLorey
-
© 2009 Created by Ron Slabaugh on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
