Yes, we did -- if this graphic is any example
of the structure selected. Straw or hay construction is not a new concept. In this country, it was an idea born of necessity. People were moving to the midwest to settle in the plains -- settle meaning they needed appurtenances to the homestead to provide shelter from the elements. In the plains, there wasn't adequate timber to build wood structures. In some midwest areas the black soil and clay soil made blocks of sod or dug out of a hillside as a manmade cave. In the sandy soils of Nebraska, these options were difficult to use.
But, innovation came with another innovation for the agricultural settlers of the plains. That wonderful tool was the stationary baler. (photo of stationary baler) Today, balers are pulled behind tractors with the bales being dropped on the ground. The first balers just did the baling. With a picture of the threshing machine in the mind's eye of the engineers, the first balers were powered using huge belts connecting them to a power unit which didn't move around easily. Thus, the term stationary. With the further advancement of engines in tractors to become mobile power units, grain was separated from husk using a combine and balers were developed to utilize the tractor. (There, you have your little agricultural lesson for the day) I can barely remember corn shocks in my dad's fields from which he husked the corn the hard way and had at least one run-in with a mouse which had set up housekeeping in the little stack of corn stocks (shock) but which rapidly moved up his pants leg. Dad shed his pants right there in the Iowa November Cornfield! 
Richard likes to estrapolate on the first straw bale home. He says, "I can just picture some Nebraska settler cramming the hay into the baler and turning out the blocks of feed that will make the difference of livesstock food source for the winter. While he's doing that, his wife is busy cutting blocks of sod that aren't good sod, but prairie grass rooted in exceptionally sandy soil. Probably lots of cutting for few blocks. When she took a break from her labors to take a bucket of water to the fields, she would have seen the fine stack of hay BRICKS sitting there so invitingly. The rest is history." 
Massive Wall thickness shows the quiet beauty and strength of a sound structure.
Some of the straw or hay structures from the 19th Century are still in use in Nebraska and other parts of the country. 
This house was may have been built in 1899 and is still occupied. You can see more photos of Nebraska straw/hay structures at the Straw Bale Association of Nebraska THE LAST STRAW has a registry of straw bale structures and other information about building with straw.
Often, straw bale construction appeals to do-it-yourselfers, people who enjoy using 'found' materials. In the Missouri project, the houses can be built using some "found" materials, but the building codes have to be followed. This is kind of a turn-off for some folks. Richard says at first he was a little reluctant to be 'regulated' about building too. But, he has obtained the code books and really feels that the majority of the code is just common sense. Some of us just need to have it spelled out.
At the present time, there are no applicants planning to build within a town's limits. The city of Ava, Missouri would likely the the only choice involving codes. The building inspector there has told Richard that one building method would be acceptable because it involves framing, but a structure without adequate framing wouldn't meet the codes being used by Ava. Not that the unframed structure might be fine, but the city would have to spend time to adopt a new code and this would be detrimental to the building progress. Future posts post will cover the different methods of construction with pros and cons.
A straw bale house doesn't have specific design demands. The application can be used with any design, but builders need to allow for the much thicker walls which cuts the interior square footage. There are some limitations in height when not using a framing method. Straw bale additions are not an outrageous possibility.
Real estate people can be involved to help establish a value base. The banking and insurance industry has a challenge when searching for comparables because people don't build straw bale houses to sell. Structures that will survive elements for many useful years are an important factor to us, personally. As former real estate agents, we don't like to have to market property without quality and substantial structure.
Stay tuned for more! You can 'read ahead' with the resouces listed at Cardinal Bluff which follows this project.
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JudyAnn, what R value is the roof?
The pig's roof doesn't have much R in my opinion. It looks pretty drafty to me.
In straw bale construction, roofs are usually conventional, but can be living roof. Using the poly/rubber barriers available, the living roof could probably be used for the Missouri project. Richard plans to use a metal roof on his house and I think that is the thinking of the people who are current particpants.
The straw bales for the wall have incredible R value, but that is getting ahead of me. The roof in real life is not straw.
Hi JudyAnn, I've heard of that construction and seen it on several TV shows. Its such a cool idea. Eco friendly, low cost, no maintenance. Your blog took me back to when I was a kid spending summers at my grandparents in Nebraska. Those were the days when the farmers co-op'd their equipment and took turns working their fields. The neighbors would come from miles around and set about the threshing and bailing of the wheat. The men in the fields, the women in the kitchen. When it was time for lunch the food was packed up and taken to the men. The best tasting lunches I ever had were sitting on a hay bale with all those dirty sweaty men. Thanks for the trip back in time!
Terry Haugen - STAGE it RIGHT!
I grew up on an Iowa farm. It seemed, wonderfully, as if we ate all the time with neighbors. My mom took a morning "lunch" to the fields -- sandwiches, cake and coffee or iced tea, depending on the season. There was dinner at noon, then 'lunch' again in the afternoon, supper and if we got together with neighbors in the evening, 'lunch' again before the evening ended! The sandwiches were fancy open face artwork.
One year, my dad gave me a pig for a lesson in economics. The only time I was ever scolded harshly was when he caught me sitting atop a narrow board fence, scratching the little jersey bull that Dad regarded as highly dangerous.
JudyAnn~ YAY!
CONGRATULATIONS, Today...You have won the Welcome as the Flowers in May-
May Gold Star
Your photo essay with your own photos/graphics and original text ·1) invites audience connection,·2) educates, inspires,·3) delivers humor, wit, enthusiasm...·4) generates discussion,·5) recognizes "giving back", "paying forward" " responsible stewardship", ·6) AND *** tells a story .from the perspective of a day-in-the-life of- a REALTOR® (or real estate related occupation.)
Here's an example of an article that makes me look forward to dropping in for a visit at Active Rain...and staying for a while!
****
Wow, I had heard about this, but never had an opportunity to see it. Thanks for the link to the pictures.
That's pretty interesting stuff. I've heard about using straw before. Years ago, I recall they were building foundations with pressure treated wood. I thought that was pretty strange too.
janeAnne THANK YOU. It probably shows that we are really into this thing. There is just so much to tell and I've been trying to get a 'mind map' of how to put it out sensibly.
Doreen: We were just so impressed with the longevity of the projects and that there is still new building going on.
Diane: There is a multitude of building sources out there, just as there are wise alternative energy choices. We were passive solar fanatics before we became straw bale fanatics. Now, we are multiple fanatics
JudyAnn: Thanks so much for your terrific post. I am thinking the insulation factor would be pretty high.
Judy~ There is that wisdom again;) Ooohh I love it. I have learned one more lesson from you. Growing up in Arizona it was all about Native American culture (wonderful and amazing by the way)
It just made me think about of the technology from the good old days, and use of resources. If we ever had to make use of resources again like that, would we survive?
Congrats on the Gold Star! I'm a tomato.....
Roberta - The R factor on the walls is 'voer the top" GOOD
Laura - Straw bale construction is particularly successful in the Southwest. We have found some dazzling photos and moving stories. Thank you for the encourgament
Tomatoes are PEACHY
Judy, Strawbales are one of the things that got me interested in getting my Ecobroker Cert. I even went to the regional building department to get addresses on some. The more you learn about them the more interesting they get. We have a company in Southern Colorado that does high end strawbales that are amazing.
Unless built with 'found' things, strawbale housing is not CHEAPER to construct, but, more about that later.
JudyAnn~
I am looking forward to your next installment about how much it costs to build straw bale. I thought it might be less expensive than stick-built (??)
Hi Judy Ann:
What, if any, maintenance issues do straw bale houses have? Very informative post. I do belive that we have some folks down in in Western North Carolina doing some straw bale homes as well. Will have to check it out further.
Bill, I will be covering the maintenance topics in future posts. Please do check on any homes you can look at. The owners will be proud to show you how they work.
Thanks, look forward to your next post!
JudyAnn...Congrat on a great article and a gold star! I learned something! How fun to "find things" to build your house with!!!
This was very interesting to read. We used straw to insulate an apartment building here in Columbus, temporaily last winter. It worked very well
The parents of my daughter's best friend in elementary school (and teachers at her Waldorf School) built a straw bale house, over time, using "found" labor. There's a group of people here who will help you build your straw bale house (if you help others), as a way of getting the word out.
It's a lovely home, and I understand the utilities are quite low. Fits well in its environment, as well, something that always appeals greatly to me.
Neighborhood labor and contribution has been part of the fun for 'green' construction for many years, with all sorts of construction types.
Strawbale construction seems to attract a party!
Great post, I want to help push this and other alternative/green building systems. I am a member of CASBA California Straw-bale Builders' Association and have had the joy of working on a few projects. I can attest to the great fun and warm friendships that develop in doing these things. Something deep in us is kindled when we come together to build, especially a home, and to add the ecological benefits that straw bale building offers redoubles that feeling. Have you participated in a building project yet?
Michael, no we haven't. The initiative is still in the process of getting things lined up for the applicants.
Your projects sound great; the 'barnraising' aspect of having people work together. I know that when Richard gets started on his own project, he's going to want to be very hands-on, but will appreciate the connection of having a building party.
This web site provides so much educational material; I really love it!!!! Wonderful post!!!