Ken Kern  Ken Kern was a builder and author who devoted himself to aiding owner-builders, and believed strongly in living on the land. He lived outside of North Fork, California at the time of his death and lived for many years on a self-built homestead outside Oakhurst, California  Despite being an experienced builder and proponent of earth sheltering, Kern was killed when an earth roof he designed collapsed on him. Writings by Kern include: