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Newsletter #6

Welcome to this month's edition of the newsletter! In between releases of the quarterly journal, we like to share cool stuff we've seen around. If you'd like to see past editions, click here.

We hope The Last Straw can be a platform to share and explore ideas of a better world through the lens of building methods and materials. Join us as we bring a critical perspective to conventional practice, imagine alternatives, and connect designers, builders, and dreamers. Let us know what you think and if you're working on something you think we should share!

The new issue of The Last Straw Journal, No. 71, is available now!
Our relaunch issue is now available! You can buy a single print or digital issue, or you can subscribe! In this issue you will: build a natural tiny house, bring chopped straw panels to the city, dance in the woods, gather 'round the campfire with the old and new faces of the natural building movement, and much more.

Retrosuburbia with David Holmgren

The folks at the Partisan Gardens podcast spoke to one of the godfathers of permaculture, David Holmgren, about his new book. The book explores what retrofitting the ecology of suburbs could look like, and the conversation meanders through this and all kinds of place-based imagining. Partisan Gardens is a solid podcast, and this episode does not disappoint.

The 2022 Edition of the Earthbound Farmer's Almanac
The self-described "farmer's almanac for the end of the world" is back with a 2022 edition. We enjoyed last year's inaugural one that covered lesser know food histories, the challenges of growing food on any scale in rapidly changing climates, and other things of interest to food growers and food eaters.

Bloomington-based startup developing drone-assisted construction techniques
...and the drone builds a cob house! This seems like an unlikely combo, but the Terran Robotics team has put a lot of thought into material choices. We're definitely intrigued, what do you think?

Ten Love Letters to Earth
Here are some lovely meditations about relating to the Earth from the late Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. These include reflections on mindfulness and motivations for centering the Earth in our lives, among other things.

We hope The Last Straw can be a platform to share and explore ideas of a better world through the lens of building methods and materials. Join us as we bring a critical perspective to conventional practice, imagine alternatives, and connect designers, builders, and dreamers. Let us know what you think and if you're working on something you think we should share!

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