Midwest Permaculture

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Welcome to
Samuelson Lodge...!

Bob and Rosa have almost 30 years on their 1000-acre property near Steuben, Wisconsin and have creatively and lovingly been developing it over all these years.

Rosa worked for the Belgium Consulate General in Chicago for over 2 decades (being a native of that country) and has only recently left their employment to work full-time on their Green Resource Center.

Bob found himself moving into a major recycling business by accident when he became involved in the demolition business as a younger man. In Chicago, when they tear down older commercial buildings, they would bring in large equipment to grind up the 100-year old wooden beams that gave these buildings their mass and strength. The wood chips were then hauled to a dump for disposal.

Rather than see these massive timbers destroyed, Bob began to find clients all over the US who could take these beautiful logs and turn them into other useful products or new structures (buildings).

When a building comes down, the timbers must be moved. If he couldn't find a customer he was then forced to find a place to move them to. Bob and Rosa's 1000-acres become the recipient of hundreds of truck loads of all sorts of timbers.

With these vast resources on hand, Bob and Rosa began to build.

I will let Bob and Rosa tell you more of their story when you visit the property but one of the first things they started to build was a lodge (shown in these first 5 pictures).

They not only wanted a place for themselves to live but they also had dreams of family, friends and private groups joining them on the weekends to enjoy one-another and their beautiful land.

The lodge has centrally located living quarters for the two of them and two wings that house six comfortable apartments on each side.

The wings are surrounded by concrete walkways providing ample room to be outdoors no matter if it is raining or snowing.

On one wing, the apartments are not quite complete so the walkways will be available for our students to set up their tents under if they wish.

There are some other grassy areas around the lodge as well.

Many are familiar with Rob Roy and the books he has written on cord-wood construction.

Bob and Rosa have hosted several workshops over the years with Rob and his wife Jaki as the lead instructos and these two cabins leading up the driveway to the lodge have been the result of their work.

As part of a design certification course we will be taking a close look at what goes into building a structure such as this.

Please note:
Bob and Rosa were not quite sure how they would eventually use all the structures they have built, for besides the lodge and the two cord-wood cottages, they have also constructed a small apartment building and a conference center --everything from recycled timbers and more.

Because of this, they have always been in a state of construction and only now are beginning to fully compete each project.

Even though the interiors of the most of the buildings are done and very inviting & comfortable, the outsides are still being completed. There are construction materials and exposed gravel and earth mounds around most of the buildings so don't expect a picture-perfect scene and we all need to be conscious of where we are stepping.

Our job as permaculture designers will be to assist in the visioning process of how to tie the landscape and building together into one productive whole.

Bob is a bit of a collector (you will likely be amazed) so you will see all sorts of things parked around the farm and buildings.

Here is quick look at the outside of the conference center ...still under construction... which is located a few hundred yards from the lodge.

When I went for my early morning walk and took this picture the building was locked up but the interior is really wonderful. It is beautifully rustic while being very comfortable.

We will all be visiting a work in process and will have the rare opportunity to make an impact.

Come with an open heart and mind for what is truly needed and wanted in this wonderful place.