The Foundation for Fermentation Fervor, Sandor’s fermentation school, recently purchased an old homestead with an 1840’s log cabin, in need of much overhaul and rehabilitation.
Walnut Ridge
We are looking for a group of people to work with Sandor and others on it this coming summer. The bulk of our time will be spent working on the house and land. Projects may include:
Cleaning and oiling original 1840’s chestnut logs
“Re-chinking” (filling in between logs)
Building masonry foundation walls
Reframing roofs with dormers; reroofing
Framing walls, installing windows, insulating, and finishing walls.
Installing new water systems
Tending gardens, harvesting, and planting
We will also do a variety of fermentation projects, including:
Fermenting vegetables
Alcoholic beverages from seasonal berries
Sour tonic beverages
Sourdough & porridges
Tempeh
And any others based upon the interests of participants.
Though we will spend the bulk of our time on the restoration projects, participants will have a unique opportunity to begin fermentation projects as a group and see them through to completion, with the benefit of seeing, tasting, and discussing them as they progress over several weeks. In addition, participants will have access to Sandor’s extensive library of fermentation-related books.
Any unemployed or underemployed builders out there who want to learn about fermentation? This is a perfect opportunity for you. If you already have carpentry, masonry, plumbing and/or electrical skills to share, you will receive preferential admission to this program. But anyone with a desire to learn and a commitment to work will be considered. The program has no fee, other than a $200 deposit that guarantees your place and covers food expenses. Beyond that, this is considered a work exchange: hard work in exchange for skill-building. The size of the program will be limited.
If anyone with skills to share wishes to help on this project but is not available for those dates, please be in touch and we can work out another time for you to come visit and help.
Housing options include free camping, or two small primitive rustic cabins available for $50/week. Please note that the cabins are not heated and have no electricity or running water. We can also recommend other local lodgings.
Please Note: Sandor and most of his friends are queer. Please do not consider this program unless you feel comfortable around queers and gender-non-conformists.
To apply for the program, copy the following questions into an email, answer them as best you can, and email to sandorkraut@wildfermentation.com. When we respond, we will include directions for sending a deposit to hold a space.
Application for Homestead Restoration and Fermentation Residency
Name:
Address:
Email:
Describe construction/carpentry/masonry/electrical/plumbing experience and interests:
Describe gardening experience and interests:
Describe fermentation experience and interests:
Is there anything specific you are seeking to learn about?
Would you rather camp (free), stay in a rustic cabin ($50/week), or hear about other options?
Dietary restrictions?
