Aim

Bringing young and old together to learn practical earth building skills that help mitigate climate change

Hi, my name is Sarah and I co-founded Orchard Barn in Suffolk nearly 19 years ago. What began as the restoration of a derelict timber-framed barn has grown into a thriving nature-based traditional skills hub, run by OBee Community Interest Company. Our over-riding objective is direct action to mitigate climate change. We do this through practical workshops that teach young and old how to build with earth - inspiring the next generation of builders to build with earth - buildings that keep you cool in summer and warm in winter.

At Orchard Barn we believe that some of the solutions to today's environmental challenges can be found by learning from the past. For thousands of years people built homes from the materials beneath their feet – earth, clay, timber and straw. These natural materials are low-carbon, locally sourced and can create beautiful, healthy buildings. 

In the midst of this heatwave we are grateful to the Light Straw Clay insulation volunteers who over two summers mixed tons to clay with 207 bales of straw to insulate our reinstated Long House. It is delightfully cool inside. The earth floors also help! 

Come and visit - we have plenty of examples of earth in this and other buildings. We know it works and we want to share this with the next generation of would-be builders. 

Our vision is simple but ambitious: to inspire a new generation of natural builders and help create a future where more homes are built using local earth and sustainable materials.

But we don't just want to teach traditional skills. We want to make learning creative, hands-on and fun.

Over the last year our volunteers have contributed hundreds of days of practical work and learning at Orchard Barn. Through our Connecting People and Nature program alone, 114 people have taken part, including 89 newcomers and 16 children and young people. Our volunteers range from retired craftspeople and gardeners to families, home-educated children, students and people simply looking to reconnect with nature and community, and make a difference when it comes to reducing climate change.

One of our most successful recent projects was the creation of a 12-foot-long Earth Dragon built from cob – a mixture of clay, sand, straw and water. Home-educated children, parents and older volunteers worked side by side, identifying where and how to dig clay-rich subsoil, mixing cob using their feet and shape a large sculpture together. The project culminated at Summer Solstice when participants made Dragon's Eggs containing hopes and wishes for the future.

Building community, and local resilience

What made the project special wasn't just the dragon. It was the way people of different ages learned from one another. Children gained confidence and practical skills. Older volunteers shared knowledge and experience. New friendships formed. People discovered that learning can be joyful, muddy and meaningful.

One participant summed it up perfectly:

"What a magical space! You can feel the spirit and community and it is so energising. My children and I have had such a great time and learnt valuable skills. Thank you. Can't wait to come again!"

Now we want to build on that success.

Taking action to mitigate climate change

With your support we will run a program of Inter-generational Earth Building Workshops, bringing together children, young people, parents, grandparents and older volunteers to learn traditional earth building techniques.

Participants will learn how to:

• Identify and work with local clay-rich soils
• Mix and prepare cob
• Build with earth and natural materials
• Understand the environmental benefits of natural construction
• Work collaboratively on creative community projects

The workshops will be practical, accessible and enjoyable, combining environmental education, creativity and traditional skills. They will help preserve valuable knowledge while inspiring the next generation to think differently about how we build and live.

The money raised will help us provide tools, materials, specialist tuition, volunteer support, safety equipment and learning resources. It will also enable us to keep workshops affordable and accessible to families and young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to take part.

Rediscovering traditional earth building skills 

Together we can demonstrate that earth building is not simply a historical curiosity. It is a practical, sustainable and inspiring solution that helps us combat climate change.

By supporting this project, you'll be helping us bring generations together, share skills, strengthen communities and take one small step towards a future built from local materials, local knowledge and local people.

"Help us inspire the earth builders of tomorrow, and provide them with practical skills that fight climate change - one handful of earth at a time." Please donate to this campaign.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 20th August 2026 at 10:27am