Day Classes

Want to learn more about our sustainability practices? We offer a number of half day classes (usually running about 2 hours) for guests and visitors. These are designed to inspire and re-skill you for a more resilient world.

We have a minimum $100 intake for these classes with the following cost breakdown:

1 person to 4 people: $100 total
5 people or more: $25/person

Want to join us for a delicious farm to table meal? Please add $10 per person.

If you’re interested in a 2-hour farm tour, please see our Tours page. For longer classes, please see our Workshops page.

Not all classes are offered all of the time.  Contact us at info@ranchomastatal.com to inquire about or schedule one of the following classes:

Permaculture/Agroforestry

Intro to Permaculture & Walk and Talk
Experience the principles of permaculture in action! From starting small to accelerating succession to energy efficient planning we will explore the practical application of these principles around our site.

Plants for the Tropical Homestead
Explore the perennial vegetables, medicinal plants, and trees crops which feed and heal us in the humid tropics.

Soil Fertility Strategies and Plant Propagation
Spend time in our nursery learning the art and science of seed starting and vegetative plant propagation; including cuttings, layering, and grafting. We will also go over how we cultivate a healthy soil in our harsh tropical climat and will focus on biomass species, biochar production, and microoganism cultivation.

Natural Building

Dordango Making: Creating Shiny Clay Spheres
Dorodango means a “happy mud dumpling” in Japanese. These are a traditional learning art form that has been practiced in Japan for centuries. This is a great introduction to natural building that will give you an understanding about how earthen materials work. Students will learn how to polish clay with just a few simple, commonly available tools. And you’ll walk away with a shiny spherical object!

Natural Building Walk and Talk
This 2-hour tour of the property, specifically looking at our natural structures, will focus on the experience and knowledge we have of natural building in the tropics. We will look at site assessment, roof and foundation styles, wall building techniques, cost analysis, and building materials and equipment. We can also provide any material sourcing information.

Earthen Building: Hands and Feet Experience
This will be an introduction to earth building and materials. You’ll learn about why we think natural building is important and how it can be applied on different scales and climates. And you’ll get a chance to get your hands and feet dirty! You will participate in one of the current natural building projects on the Ranch and begin to understand what is involved in building a natural home.

Tadelakt: Water Resistant Natural Plaster (not recommended for beginners)
Discover how this ancient Moroccan waterproof lime plaster is made and applied. Here at the Ranch we have multiple showers and surfaces that were created using Tadelakt. We will look at some of the Tadelakt examples we have on site, learn how tadelakt plaster is made, and then apply it on a small object which students can take home.

Homesteading and fermentation

Introduction to Fermentation & Lacto Fermentation
Start this introductory class by learning about the main groups of microbes responsible for fermented delicacies and traditions from around the world.  Sample some of the produce we have had fermented for days, months or even years.  Then join in making a batch of "Kimchi/ Kraut" in order to better grasp how we utilize this incredible group of microbes to acidify and add complexity many of our condiments.

Introduction to Fermentation & Fermented Beverages
Start this introductory class by learning about the main groups of microbes responsible for fermented delicacies and traditions from around the world.  Sample some of the produce we have had fermenting for days, months or even years. Then join in making an herbal soda (water Kefir, starter culture included for you to take home) and a batch of country wine.  Start dreaming up your own combinations and flavors you want to try when you get home!

Making Your Own Soap
Learn about basic soap chemistry and how to make your own soap using locally sourced oils and fats.

Other

Invisible Structures
Learn about how the Ranch is organized, makes decisions, deals with compensation and governs and organizes itself. Since 2001 Rancho Mastatal has been working to improve on their people systems. This is an opportunity to hear the Ranch story and find out more about their organizational structure.

We also offer longer workshops on many of these same topics.