Senior Erin Ruark explores renewable lifestyles

Living in a tent for 10 days with composting toilets, organic gardens and no electricity can be a hard adjustment for some people. However, that is exactly what senior Erin Ruark did when she decided to be a part of a Cob Cottage Company workshop in Coquille, Oregon.

She learned how to build a cob house made entirely of sand, straw and clay, making for a simple and sustainable lifestyle.

“I took this course with the goal of developing the [skills] to build my own cob house and live sustainably and grow my own food,” Ruark said.

Ruark’s mother, Deirdre Ruark, was not surprised when her daughter expressed interest in the workshop.

“She had been talking about wanting to build her own house for a while, and we thought this would be a great starting point for her to learn some skills,” Deirdre said.

Ruark not only worked on building a nine-foot tall house, but she also worked in the on-site organic garden which provides food for the workers and staff. She worked long hours and learned how to mix cob, build walls, install windows and rafters and different building techniques with earthen materials.

The workshop consisted of 25 people, and she was able to connect with them through this experience.

“These people have totally different backgrounds, but they all [share] a common nominator which is cob. All these people are brought together in this one magical place and we are building,” Ruark said.

Before taking the course, Ruark had to read a book, “The Hand-Sculpted House,” so she would have an idea about the kind of things she would be doing. While she was there, she started on the foundation of the house, which meant she could not wear shoes. The material used to make cob is mixed with a person’s feet, and it is a very simple task. Most people did not wear shoes, and it was a hard adjustment at first.

According to Ruark, going to the Cob Cottage was a culture shock. She was not allowed to have a phone or any kind of electronic device because there was no electricity and no need for it. It was like going to a foreign country where there are composted toilets and food from a garden and new people to meet.

“It was such a hard adjustment, but now I’m addicted; I can’t get enough of meeting these new people that I have no connection to other than this one [experience],” Ruark said.

Before Ruark went to the workshop, she did not feel like she had a narrow view. However, she said the new experience felt like a smack in the face.

“You feel like you’re connecting to something that’s a lot more primal and a lot more ancient than yourself and that feels like a sacred ritual,” Ruark said.

According to Deirdre Ruark, the experience definitely changed and inspired Ruark. She had been thinking about moving toward a simpler and low-impact lifestyle, and this experience definitely inspired her to adopt this as a permanent way of life.

“She seemed happier and more fulfilled than I have ever seen her, due to the hard work she put in and being part of a tight-knit community working towards a common goal,” Deirdre Ruark said.

Sophomore Jamie Talty, Ruark’s friend, agreed that this experience changed her.

“When I hear her voice, I hear passion and love no matter who she is talking to. I’ve seen her interest in sustainability skyrocket, which is incredible and inspiring,” Talty said.

Ruark went back twice after the workshop so she was able to see the whole process and what it took to build a house. She got to see the entire process over the course of the summer and realized how powerful people can be when they work together.

“Getting involved with your community is important. That’s how you bond and meet new people and form commonalities and there is not enough of that,” Ruark said.

Ruark’s experience at Cob Cottage is one to remember because it was a lot of hard work but she learned a lot and grew from her experience.

“[The workshop] was bittersweet, but the best experience I’ve ever had,” Ruark said.

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