If you prefer to pay your deposit or full course fee via a direct deposit or check please fill out a registration form and send proof of payment to info@ranchomastatal.com. For information on payment details go here.

DESCRIPTION

Join us at Rancho Mastatal for a 7-day immersive workshop exploring the beauty and practicality of building with earth. This course introduces participants to the fundamentals of natural building and plastering—blending deep hands-on experience with an inspiring setting rooted in over two decades of work in sustainable construction.

Throughout the week, we’ll dive into a variety of traditional clay-based techniques, including adobe, cob, and wattle and daub. We’ll also spend dedicated time learning and applying a range of natural plasters, from basic earthen finishes to the elegant and water-resistant Moroccan lime plaster known as Tadelakt.

By the end of the course, students will gain a strong understanding of the roles and relationships between clay, sand, straw, fiber, lime, and other key ingredients. This essential knowledge forms the foundation for confidently mixing, testing, and applying natural materials in your own projects—whether you're building a home, crafting a finish coat, or working on site with others.

What makes this workshop truly unique is the setting. At Rancho Mastatal, you’ll be fully immersed in a thriving natural building environment—surrounded by more than 20 years of experimentation, refinement, and success. The Ranch is home to a wide range of earthen buildings, finish styles, and real-world examples of what’s possible with natural materials. From stunning lime plasters and sculpted earthen walls to functioning kitchens and classrooms built by hand, inspiration is everywhere.

This course is ideal for anyone curious about natural building—whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your skills and expand your toolset with new techniques and finishes. You'll learn in a collaborative, hands-on environment guided by passionate builders who love to share their craft.

Expect to get muddy, learn a lot, laugh often, and leave feeling empowered to build beautifully and sustainably—wherever you go next.

Course Outline

Day 1

• Introduction to natural building

• How to assess your soils & mix

• Clay base coat, learn how to level earthen walls

Day 2

• Wall systems theory and introduction

• Building with Adobe, Cob & Wattle and Daub

• Lime base coat, learn how to prepare your walls for lime finishes

Day 3

• Introduction to earthen floors

• Tour of the Ranch property and structures

Day 4

• Rest, waterfall, river, hike, chocolate tour

Day 5

• Shelter and siting theory

• Designing your home for any climate

• Foundations theory and introduction

• Clay finish coat, learn our first clay plaster finish

Day 6

• Tadelakt, ancient Moroccan water resistant finish plaster

• Finish lime plaster, learn a simple and beautiful way to finish your walls

Day 7

• Finish earthen floors

• Clay carving, learn the artistic side of clay plasters

• Fresco application, learn to paint on lime finishes

• Debrief

instructor(s)/teaching organization bio(s)

Ali Ostergard
Ali has always loved working with her hands. From building chicken coops as a child to discovering the art of natural building at the Ranch in 2014, her passion for creating has only grown. Since joining the team, she has contributed to a variety of structures and homes—including her own.

She finds meaning in every phase of the building process, from framing to earthen floors and plasters. Whether it’s the rhythm of repetitive tasks, the camaraderie of working alongside others, or the satisfaction of a completed project, Ali embraces it all.

For her, there’s something deeply empowering about knowing how to build a home—and even more so when it’s done with care, intention, and sustainability. Now, she’s dedicated to sharing those skills with others.

Nic Donati
Nic Donati, Rancho Mastatal's Director of Natural Building and Appropriate Technology, first came to the Ranch in 2007 and fell in love with the community and lifestyle he experienced there.  Always good with his hands and wanting to get stuck in meant he was able to develop a wide range of skills both at the Ranch and other farms around the world.  The lure of the Ranch both as a community and working environment have continually drawn him back and he now considers the Ranch community and Mastatal his home.  

He believes that to engage, educate and nurture a desire in people to change the way we live and take more responsibility for every aspect of our lives from food production, to healthcare, to energy production and everything else in between is the only way things are going to change.

course start and ARRIVAl dates

The class begins at 7.30 a.m. on January 15. The night before the class begins, January 14, is included in the cost of the class.  You must arrive before 6.30 pm the night before. We will not be able to accommodate you after this time.

course end and departure dates

The last day of the class is January 21.  The night of January 21 is included in the cost of the class.

COST

• US$1350

These prices include lodging, all meals, course instruction and full access to Rancho Mastatal and its private wildlife refuge.

To pay any remaining balance go to our Payment page for more information and options.

LANGUAGE

This class will be taught in English, though the instructors are fluent in Spanish .  

ACCOMMODATIONS

All food and lodging is included in the cost of  the course.   Students will stay in the Ranch bunkhouse with options for upgrades.  We provide high quality mattresses, linens and blankets.  Please see our Accommodations page for more information.  

CANCELLATION POLICY

Please see our cancellation policy here.

GETTING TO RANCHO MASTATAL

Please see our Directions page for detailed information on how to get to Rancho Mastatal.  

QUESTIONS

For more information about this class and Rancho Mastatal please contact us at info@ranchomastatal.com , call us at +506 2200-0920 or text/WhatsApp us at +506 8539-1404.