About Us

Mark and Jen founded Down to Earth Project in 2005 based on an awareness that positive and real-life examples of “sustainable living” were few and far between.  Contrasting the negative publicity surrounding environmental concerns, we aim to provide engaging and simple approaches to “sustainable living” which anyone can learn and anyone can apply in their own lives… so the change can truly start on a grassroots level.

 

“You must be the change you want to see in the world.”

Mahatma Gandhi

At Down to Earth we aim to demonstrate that benefits of choosing simpler ways of living – from growing your own food, to making your own bread, to sleeping in the outdoors…  Simple living can be both revitalising and nurturing, as well gentle on the planet.

 

In contrast, simple living needn’t be uncomfortable or ascetic!  Simple living can be both beautiful and cosy, an art form in itself…

 

"Living in a way that is outwardly simple and inwardly rich."

Duane Elgin

 

Beyond our range of workshops in living simply (See ‘Learning’), we also offer a broad range of services in ‘green living’ and ‘green events’.

 

We have number of beautiful yurts and tipis available for holidays on the Gower and for hire for events.

 

We offer a service in helping to organise ‘green’ or ‘ethical’ events – from weddings to birthdays, training and conferences.  We can provide you with locally sourced organic food, spectacular marquees, biodiesel generators and fair trade clothing.

There is nothing quite like growing your own food… from the beauty of seeing the seedling grow, to the healing qualities of fresh, organic food… At Down to Earth we will demonstrate how to grow food organically in your own back garden…

 

We will be running workshops in:

• Growing food organically
• Permaculture – designing for sustainable living
• Herbal medicine – making your own remedies.

Imagine using your very own hands to sculpt a self-built earth oven from the soil which is literally beneath your feet…

 

Beautiful simple living in something you’ve made from your own hands… from the earth that is under your feet, or trees which have been locally sourced… natural building is not only beautiful and environmentally sensitive, it is also hugely rewarding and satisfying…

 

From building an earthen wall, to a three legged wooden stool, natural building can be as big or small project as you wish…

 

We host natural building courses in:

• Building your own earth oven
• Introduction to building with earth (cob) – courtyard walls, earthen benches
• Introduction to building with straw bales
• Natural Plasters and Renders
• Green Woodwork
• Timber frame construction

At Down to Earth we use imaginative and creative approaches to learning which are centred around the learners’ needs… 

 

We offer engaging and real approaches to learning about sustainability and global citizenship tailored to meet individual and/or group requirements.

We offer workshops in:

• Traditional and natural building: earth (cob), straw bale and timber framing
• Building ovens, benches and walls out of earth (cob),
• Growing food organically
• Baking bread in a wood-fired earth oven
• Introduction to Bushcraft – fire lighting, shelter building
• Traditional crafts – green woodwork
• Cultural Diversity
• Citizenship
• Woodland skills and management

These learning experiences can be Open College Network (OCN) accredited, if desired.

 

These workshops can be hosted on our land on the Gower, or in your own locality.  Contact us for more information.

 

Our biggest challenge in this new century is to take an idea that seems abstract – sustainable development – and turn it into a reality for all the world’s people

Kofi Annan - Secretary General to the United Nations March 2001