After studying literature and religion at the University of Virginia, Erin made a predictable, natural move into the field of construction. She spent two years in West Virginia leading service retreats and teaching youth to build as they repaired homes and built relationships with under-resourced families. Since then she has worked in Vermont, Virginia, Mexico and Costa Rica, exploring alternative building techniques such as wattle and daub, strawbale and timberframing. She is now the site manager at Commonweal Garden, and is excited to be learning about west coast trees and lumber.