TFG Events & Workshops

Community Building Project: Greenbelt Land Trust (Oregon)

Join us in September in Corvallis, Oregon, to support the Greenbelt Land Trust.

Background

Our host for this Community Building Project is Greenbelt Land Trust, based in Corvallis. Greenbelt is a local 501(c)(3) land trust with a mission to conserve land and water in the Willamette Valley for a more resilient future. Greenbelt cares for more than 6,200 acres in five counties in the Valley, where they restore habitat, maintain and enhance ecological values, and provide meaningful outdoor experiences and access for all. 

Greenbelt is building a new pavilion at its Bald Hill Farm site in Corvallis, a 587-acre property that is part of the larger Bald Hill complex of 1,600 acres managed by Greenbelt Land Trust, the City of Corvallis, and Benton County. The 16-mile trail system is connected by walking and bike path to the Oregon State University campus, and the Bald Hill complex welcomes tens of thousands of visitors per year. Bald Hill Farm is a living laboratory of ecological restoration as well as a working farm. School and community groups visit the farm year-round for public programs and educational experiences, and multiple public and nonprofit agency partners work and hold gatherings on the farm. The Mulkey Pavilion at Bald Hill Farm will be used as a gathering space for dozens of classes, outings, meetings, and celebrations every year.

About the Project 

The structure design is based on a design by Andrew Preston and has been modified to increase the size of the structure and add a second porch with hammer beam truss.

The structure is rectangular in plan with porches on opposite sides, which are supported by hammer beam trusses. The ends are hipped with a tablet, and the main roof has two large kingpost trusses supporting the purlins and rafters. The king post trusses use a two-piece tie beam to achieve the large span with shorter timbers. Timbers are rough-sawn Douglas fir with some local oak mixed in for braces.

The design of the frame provides opportunities for learning in areas such as square rule and scribe rule layout, compound roof joinery for hips, valleys and jacks, king post trusses, and hammer beam trusses.

For this project, we will cut the frame at the building site, which is a beautiful natural setting with camping and all amenities on hand. Accommodation will be camping with showers and washrooms provided. Meals for participants will be provided by our host, and you can expect hearty homecooked or catered meals, 3 per day, plus snacks and endless coffee.

There will be evening educational presentations on a range of timber framing topics, walks, and educational programs offered by our host, and likely some local sightseeing and exploration.

We cannot accommodate dogs or other pets on this project other than service animals.

The event runs for 8 days, from Saturday, September 6, to Saturday, September 13, inclusive.

Workshop Opportunites

Square Rule and Compound Joinery Workshop

Join us for a 2-day intensive workshop on square rule and compound layout prior to the Commuity Building Project. The workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to learn and practice square rule and compound layout skills, with one-on-one coaching. You will work on your own timbers and be able to follow the layout process with subsequent cutting and installation during the Community Build. If you register for this workshop, you will also be guaranteed a place on the volunteer team for the Greenbelt Community Building Project.  Learn more HERE.

KidsBuild Workshop 

Sponsored by Summer Beam Books and Wade Hardware

Join us for a KidsBuild!

Guild President Autumn Peterson is hosting a KidsBuild Workshop at the end of the Greenbelt project. This two-day event will take place on Friday and Saturday so newly-minted young timber framers can celebrate the raising of the frame with us! Kids of all ages will have a chance to get their hands on tools, learn from real timber framers, and contribute to the Greenbelt project! Registration open now!

Details: 

Friday, September 12, and Saturday, September 13. The workshop will run 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (during the raising) at the Bald Hill site at Greenbelt Land Trust.

$25 per person per day. Your child can sign up for one day or both. Lunch, snacks, drinks, and tools included!

Scholarships are available! 

Ages 8-14.

We'll be building timber framed benches for the pavilion (plans donated by Timber Frame HQ and pegs donated by Northcott) as well as making bird houses. 

Parents or Guardians should plan to be on-site all day. No dop-offs please. 

Register here

Call for participants

Volunteers

We have positions for 36 volunteers for this event. These positions are not compensated, but you can expect the traditional TFG XC (exuberant camaraderie) and a very rich and rewarding experience. Guild instructors are there to support you in your learning objectives.

Participants will perform hands-on timber frame layout, cutting, and raising under the direction of the instructor team. This project will be suitable for those with reasonable levels of fitness and basic hand/power tool skills. There will be limited novice positions available, and we need to ensure a balance of skills in the team.

You must be a Guild member to participate! (Join the Guild HERE.) If that presents a challenge for you, please talk to us. We can work something out and want to help you to join in the fun.

Please note that volunteer applications do not guarantee acceptance. We may have more applications than positions, so please do not make travel arrangements until you've received notification of acceptance. Please message us if you have not heard and need to know for planning.

It will be possible to bring family with you, and with appropriate safety management for nonparticipants, we expect to be able to accommodate family groups for camping. Food service will be available for family members at a reasonable cost. Please indicate on your applicant information if any family members are joining you. This project is not suitable for dogs, so please leave your pets at home.

We will endeavor to confirm your acceptance ASAP and hopefully well before the deadline for applications. If you have questions, please contact Community Building Projects Program Director Steve Lawrence and Communications Director Allison Aurand. 

Registration has concluded on Sep 7, 2025.