I dont go for building anything at first. I dont go for the research table either. When I start a new tribe I rename everyone so I can keep track of them then I go for the ocean and put ALL elligable villagers to farmingright away. The children pick up enough "collectables" during this to buy Farming. Then when they all reach adept farmers I have enough food to last until I get enough research done for building. Then I put all of my "adept" scientists on building... except for one female who will be Mother to all of my children....Usually she is the laziest tribe member LOL!
I usually get 2 adept builders in time for the dam to be built then by the time the dam is built I got 2 master builders and 1 adept "almost master" builder. I then have them all go to the research table again (mind you I still have about 2000 food and still have about 300 coconuts on my trees at this point) until I have a master scientist to make my cutting tools.
This is when I start on the Briar Patch to the north of the research hut I keep my 2 master builders on reasearch and put (by this time a 14 year old) on farming. I then start my "almost Master" Builder on the briar patch. About half way through he/she becomes a master!!! that is how I get 3 master builders.