@Jin_Guice, you might also check out polyamory weekly, which does a podcast. They did an interview with an organization I volunteer with and did a Q&A from our community members (including yours truly!) a couple of weeks ago.
My understanding of MG programs is that they're pretty heavy on conventional ag. Pesticides, etc. the PDC program is not. I've taken two different PDC programs now, one through my university and one held on site at this community this previous semester. I've learned a lot from both; the content didn't differ much but I got to do a lot more hands-on work here. I would look for a program that gives you some experiential components. Any PDC program that runs for 12 contiguous days, instead of stretched out (the way both of mine have been) is probably going to be pretty stressful and your information retention might not be as good.
The second half of the PDC is set-aside for designing a site. Some programs might give you a site to design, others will ask or allow you to design your own. You may want to have a location in mind going in. My first one I did a front and back yard for a building on campus; my second I did the property of a friend of my girlfriend's. Very different challenges, both. Second one was about 10 acres of design on a 40 acre property that's actively ranching, farming, and engaged in agroforestry, 1st one was 1000 square feet of bare lawn. More like landscaping.
I've built a couple of houses with Habitat for Humanity -- not start to finish, but pieces. I built some garden beds and a case for a solar hot-water heater a few years ago. Have installed my own shelves, that sort of thing. Nothing on this scale. Next week I am going to three sisters to meet someone who runs a tiny house building company and does co-op/workshop builds. Chances are that I'll participate in a co-op build and buy the shell from them, haul it out to Eugene, and spend the summer finishing it out. I don't trust myself to frame and roof a building. I'm no MMM.
I'm also looking into voc rehab for the possibility of apprenticing as a carpenter. Not sure what the timeline on that would be. I want the house before I have the skills for it, but if I had the shell I could go slow with the inside.
@jacob,
Spent the afternoon rigging up the bubble wrap stuff on the second bedroom window and dig a jury-rigged job on the door before I ran out of tape. I think the more fitted version (two layers of cardboard, three layers of bubble wrap silver stuff) is fitted tighter to the window, but I left it so I could still open that window behind the bubble wrap. Pretty happy with how that turned out. Door needs work.
The other window is a giant partial box-velcro-monstrosity with denim slabs of insulation on the inside from a freshly box.
When you say drill holes, you're not suggesting that I drill them through the exterior wall? Just open up the cabinets on the inside?
I've got several of them cracked open and that seems to be helping. The windows were absolutely dripping with condensation this morning, though. Hazards of making chicken stock in a crock-pot overnight.
Photos:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/bUprW4mktpkWyZjaA