Secretary of USHBA

#memorialday2025 #ushba

We’re proud to share that our VP, Amanda Martin-Behrendtsen is speaking at the 2025 California Green Building Conference and her session is officially SOLD OUT! We’re honored to see her leadership making waves at this landmark event! #USHBA #HempBuilding #GreenBuilding #Sustainability #LeadershipInAction #californiagreenbuildingconference

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Happy World Book Day | By US Hemp Building Association | Facebook

Feature on outgoing USHBA President Ray Kaderli By Steve Marcinuk Ray Kaderli stands at the forefront of America’s hemp construction movement. As president of the US Hemp Building Association and a recognized industry leader, he’s helping transform sustainable building from a niche concept into a viable construction alternative. His extensive background in property management, development, and brokerage brings crucial real estate expertise to an industry poised for growth. His path to becoming one of hemp construction’s most respected voices was built on a foundation of environmental stewardship and real estate acumen. Beginning with a regional recycling facility, he learned firsthand how entrepreneurial efforts could complement environmental stewardship, discovering that economic and ecological interests could work in harmony rather than opposition. During the 2008 financial crisis, Kaderli’s brokerage found success managing bank-owned properties and facilitating transactions between private lenders and operators. This experience in navigating market downturns and understanding property valuation proved invaluable. When the 2018 Farm Bill opened new possibilities for industrial hemp production, Kaderli’s interest was piqued by what seemed like an unlikely building material. “It’s such a sexy topic. It’s almost like they manufactured click bait,” he admits with characteristic candor. “And then once you get over the Scooby and Shaggy distinctions and the light chuckle to it all, you realize this is an industrial crop that’s coming in that’ll be a large-scale production crop, right in with corn, cotton, wheat, soy and all of the others in a rotation.” As a leader in a nascent industry, Kaderli embraces the educational challenges that come with introducing innovative building materials. He’s discovered that initial skepticism often turns to genuine interest when people learn about hempcrete’s properties, particularly its fire resistance. This educational approach is crucial in an industry where federal agencies are now investing significantly in scaling hemp production. What started as curiosity quickly evolved into serious business interest as Kaderli recognized hempcrete’s potential. The material, a mixture of the woody part of hemp plants with lime and water, offers advantages that appeal to both environmentally conscious builders and pragmatic investors. “I’m brutally pragmatic in my decisions,” he explains. “There are a lot of people who want environmental stewardship, and the way I come at it is that’s icing on the cake. You can assume that nobody cares, and it’s still a good selection for a building material.” For Kaderli, the decision to focus on hempcrete construction came down to durability and efficiency. As a landlord building long-term legacy wealth, he saw the material’s practical advantages. “That product will last as long as a stone will last. I can’t do that with anything that I can go to Home Depot and buy,” he notes. This combination of durability and sustainability opens doors across the entire supply chain, from farming and processing to construction and development. Under Kaderli’s guidance, the US Hemp Building Association has achieved significant milestones, including the adoption of hemp construction methods into the IRC 2024 appendix with the help of previous board members, enabling architects and builders to specify hempcrete in their projects with confidence. While he’s quick to acknowledge that he’s building on the foundation laid by earlier pioneers in the hemp construction industry, his work has been instrumental in bridging the gap between hemp producers and construction professionals. “We’re standing on the shoulders of giants,” he notes, paying tribute to the key pioneers who saw the potential and worked tirelessly to create the landscape the industry enjoys today. As Kaderli’s tenure as USHBA president draws to a close, his commitment to advancing hemp construction remains unwavering. His vision extends beyond organizational leadership to practical implementation, as he develops an investment fund focused on scaling hemp construction projects, particularly in residential development. This vision encompasses emerging trends like agrihoods, where traditional residential amenities are complemented by agricultural features. READ MORE: https://keycrew.co/insights/hemp-construction-pioneer-ray-kaderli-leads-the-sustainable-building-revolution/

Corporate members Naturalia Construction featured in the Travel section of the Denver Post! Kosmos Stargazing Resort and Spa plans to open its first villa early next year By MEGAN ULU-LANI BOYANTON MOSCA, Colorado — A handmade sign at the start of a long dirt road in the rural San Luis Valley indicates to visitors that they’ve arrived at the future site of Kosmos Stargazing Resort & Spa. The peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains barely make a dent in the big blue skies above the 40 acres purchased by founder and CEO Gamal Jadue Zalaquett. He aims to transform the land into a resort featuring 20 villas, a spa, a restaurant and a planetarium. “It’s a place of alignment. Kosmos is a place of connection,” Jadue Zalaquett said. “Kosmos, in a way, is a place to heal, and the San Luis Valley has a lot to do with healing.” He bought the property for $11,000 in December 2020. But with glass domes for stargazing and expensive price tags to stay the night, Jadue Zalaquett’s ambitious brainchild falls snugly into the category of “luxury ecotourism.” His site is an ideal spot for admiring constellations and distant galaxies. According to the National Park Service, the nearby Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is considered an International Dark Sky Park. Jadue Zalaquett said the area is a class two location on the Bortle dark-sky scale, which translates to “truly dark” skies. The resort’s planetarium will include a 1-meter telescope. In terms of getting visitors to Kosmos, “that’s gonna be the biggest attractor,” Jadue Zalaquett said. Development is still in the early stages, but it’s already garnering attention from the public: Over 12,000 Instagram users follow the resort’s page where project renderings and updates are shared. Kosmos plans to open its first villa early next year, said marketing operations manager Jennifer Geerlings. Although it’s still under construction, the resort has already booked over 2,000 reservations, she added. Future plans for Kosmos In November, director of field operations Auston Duncan stepped over sagebrush and loose hardware to outline the state of construction on the project. An unfinished villa offered a hint of what’s to come. The rectangular building with exposed wooden rafters and newly-installed glass sliding doors will soon house a bedroom and a bathroom. Jeremy Stephen, the founder of Steamboat Springs-based Evolve Construction, built the villa out of hempcrete, which is made of hemp, water and lime. It works as an eco-friendly insulator, helping to mitigate heating and cooling costs and lending itself to the vision of Kosmos as a resort with sustainability in mind. On one side of the villa, a hot tub will be installed. On the other, a dome made out of glass and wood from Ekodome will cover the kitchen and loft area. Read the whole article here: https://www.denverpost.com/2024/12/05/kosmos-stargazing-resort-sand-dunes-colorado/?share=remonw2osswsusdorsg1

Another win for hemp building materials! Congrats to corporate member Zachary Popp and the Sativa Building Systems team! Zachery Popp WITTENBERG, WI – December 4, 2024 – Sativa Building Systems (SBS), an innovator in sustainable building materials, has been awarded a $1.9 million contract by the U.S. Army to develop groundbreaking bio-based insulation. This two-year Phase II SBIR project builds on SBS’s success in creating innovative hemp-based solutions that align with the Department of Defense’s sustainability goals. “Our Z Panel hempcrete block panel was a major leap forward in bringing hempcrete into construction,” said Zach Popp, President and Founder of SBS. “Now, we’re excited to expand into lighter, more versatile bio-based insulation products with the Army’s support. This collaboration accelerates our mission to redefine the construction industry with healthier, safer, high-performance solutions.” Hempcrete is an impressive material, with properties that exceed conventional alternatives in almost every performance category. However, hempcrete is most suitable as a semi-structural wall insulation. It can replace four materials in the wall envelope but isn’t always ideal for ceilings, floors, or all retrofit applications. “As we wrap up our code certification process for the Z Panel, we couldn’t help but start thinking about the next product line,” Zach added. This thought process led Sativa Building Systems to explore a product that could complement the Z Panel—something lighter and more suitable for applications beyond walls. In the Phase I project with the U.S. Army last year, SBS successfully created a new fully bio-based insulation, still utilizing hemp as the primary component but replacing the binding agent with a sustainable alternative. Zach continued, “It’s really encouraging to have the support of the U.S. Army to continue this product development. It’s huge for us. As a small company working to bring the next generation of building material products to the market, having support in the R&D stage is what will drive this innovation forward.” The two-year project will wrap up in September 2026, with the goal of delivering functional prototypes and completing a demonstration project. To learn more about Sativa Building Systems, visit: www.sativabuildingsystems.com.

Dec. 1, 2024 -- Ballots for the December, 2024 Baord Election were sent by email to US Hemp Building Association active members in good standing. The election ends on December 15th. Ten candidates are running for six seats on the USHBA Board, including the roles of president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and two board members-at-large. Only paid association members received ballots, but the association welcomes anyone who wants to renew or purchase a new membership in time to vote. A Black Friday Sale of up to 40% off memberships is ongoing until December 31. The new board members will begin their terms at the first board meeting January 8, 2025.

By US Hemp Building Association The USHBA announced that 10 members had flung their hats into the ring to run for the board of directors in the Dcember 2024 elections. Candidate statements and videos can be found here: https://www.ushba.org/2024boardelections President Running for the president role, a 2-year term, are Alex Sexsmith, AIA of Tucson, AZ and Ashley Stallworth of Washington State. Sexsmith currently serves on the board as an at-large member. Watch candidate videos here: Alex Sexsmith: USHBA Candidate Video 2024: President Ashley Stallworth: USHBA Candidate Video 2024: President Vice President Three candidates are running for the vice president role, which is a one-year term; They are Tai Olson, of US Heritage, Franklin Park, IL; Alex Escher of Dorset, VT and Amanda Martin-Behrendtsen of Ojai, CA. Olson currently serves on the board as an at-large member. Tai Olson, USHBA Candidate Video 2024 Board of Director Elections: Vice President Alex Escher USHBA Candidate Video 2024 Board of Director Elections: VP, Director at Large Amanda Martin-Behrendtsen, USHBA Candidate Video 2024 Board of Director Elections: Vice President Treasurer Running unopposed for treasurer is Dylan Trimarchi of Bishop, CA Dylan Trimarchi, USHBA Candidate Video 2024 Board of Director Elections: Treasurer Secretary Two candidates are running for secretary, a one-year term. Incumbant Jean Lotus of Fort Collins, CO is running against Ria (Maria) Maddock of Huntington Beach CA Jean Lotus, USHBA Candidate Video 2024 Board of Director Elections: Secretary Ria (Maria) Maddock, USHBA Candidate Video 2024 Board of Director Elections: Secretary At-Large Members Three candidates are competing for two seats as an at-large member. Tom Rossmassler of Hatfield, MA; Alex Esher and Ryan Doherty. Doherty currently serves as vice president. Tom Rossmassler, USHBA Candidate Video 2024 Board of Director Elections: Director at Large Alex Escher USHBA Candidate Video 2024 Board of Director Elections: VP, Director at Large Ryan Doherty, USHBA Candidate Video 2024 Board of Director Elections: Director at Large Online voting begins Dec. 1-15 when digital ballots will be sent to active members of the association. Members must be active and in good standing to vote. Results will be announced Dec. 15 and new board members will begin their roles at the Jan. 8, 2025 monthly board meeting.

MORTON, Minn. — The Lower Sioux Indian Community debuted a new facility on the reservation Thursday, which will allow for expanded production of "hempcrete" — the natural, sustainable home insulation material.  More than 100 people showed up to the all-day event to see the space and learn about the process of making the hempcrete blocks— which are made of part of the hemp stem, water and a lime binder — and harvesting the crop, which is like a cannabis cousin to marijuana. Danny Desjarlais, the project manager, said he and his staff were previously relegated to Minnesota's short construction season, which means they could only build a few homes each year. This new space creates more opportunity to expand.  "It opens the doors up for us to make as many homes as we want," Desjarlais said. "If we can just keep making these panels and blocks all year round, there's really no limit to the amount of houses we can make now." Desjarlais hopes more local farmers will consider growing hemp. The reservation only has 500 acres of tillable farmland and right now one-fifth of it is used for hemp. That's the key for their business to really scale up. The facility, he said, can process 2,500 acres worth of the crop. READ MORE

The BRIGHT building at University of Bradford, UK. Photo courtesy of UK Hempcrete By Garfield Myrie Hempcrete is a bio-based building material helping to power the drive to net-zero, but how can a product developed a millennia ago help tackle today's environmental challenges? Euronews Culture gets down and dirty with a material that has Europe’s eco-conscious architects high with excitement. It really doesn’t look like much, but hempcrete is the green building material that’s got eco-savvy homeowners and architects excited by its potential to be a sustainable alternative to environmentally expensive bricks and concrete. It is made using a carefully calibrated mixture of hemp shiv – the dried inner core of the hemp plant – mixed with lime and water. But although hempcrete seems like a very modern building material, it has a history stretching back over 1,500 years. Hemp plaster from the sixth century still lines the walls of the UNESCO-designated Ellora Caves in India, and hemp mortar has been discovered in ancient Merovingian bridge abutments in France – which is fitting, as France was at the forefront of the 1980s drive to modernise hempcrete and introduce it to a new generation. READ MORE

Casa Feita por Muitas Mãos / Cairn. Image © James Retief Written by Eduardo Souza Cannabis has been widely used throughout human history for a variety of purposes: textiles, paper, food, medicine, biofuels, and even as a stigmatized recreational drug. Considered one of the first plants cultivated by humanity, its history spans millennia and often intertwines with the world of construction. Hemp, a variety of cannabis, has been an essential material in construction history, widely used for its exceptional strength and versatility in various applications, such as fiber production for reinforcement, thermal and acoustic insulation, and as a sustainable alternative in construction processes. Long before the advent of concrete and steel, ancient civilizations harnessed this resource to create robust and breathable building materials. The Egyptians, known for their many architectural achievements, used hemp in ropes and sails, vital components in their monumental constructions. In ancient China, hemp was not only a crucial crop for textiles and paper but also one of the earliest forms of composite building materials. In 6th-century France, the Merovingians employed hemp mortar in bridge construction, while the Romans reinforced their buildings with hemp-infused mortar. Today, the potential of hemp as a sustainable resource in the construction industry is being rediscovered, and a promising future is anticipated for the material, with innovations like hempcreteand fiber panels paving the way for a greener future. The material is experiencing a renaissance, not as a relic of the past, but as a hallmark of sustainable innovation in contemporary construction. This is especially valued at a time when the planet faces evident climate change and environmental degradation. This resurgence is not limited to isolated projects but could become widespread; according to a recent New York Times article, entire communities and even public buildings are beginning to adopt hemp as a key material. As regulations loosen and supply chains develop, hemp is poised to become a cornerstone of sustainable building practices, combining tradition with cutting-edge innovation. READ MORE

The hempcrete crew pauses for while working on Robin NeJame and Zach Zeiset's Salida home May 15. From left are Wamni Omni Little Thunder, Magaju Win Little Thunder, Donny Little Thunder, Ryan Fletter and Taylus Schley. (Photo by Cailey McDermott) By High Mountain News The first hemp house in Chaffee County is being built near the Monarch Spur Trail in Salida by High Desert Hemp Homes for Robin NeJame and Zack Zeiset.  HDHH co-owner Taylus Schley of Howard started the business with his brother Ryan Fletter after they built a hemp house for Schley in Howard in 2021. It was the fourth hemp house built in the country, and it features the tallest hempcrete wall in the country.  “We specialize in building in hempcrete, healthy, safe homes to live in. Using a product that is environmentally safe, that is both good for the planet and to build with,” Schley said. The part of the hemp plant used in hempcrete is the inner woody core, chipped up like wood chips and then mixed with lime, water and volcanic ash, giving it stability and structure.  Schley said using hemp in home construction is not new – but just this year hemp was accepted into the international residential codes, making it a recognized building material.  By building with hempcrete, homes can be built with much less lumber and without exterior sheeting, Fletter said.  “With new energy codes, people will need to be using more and more spray foam, which is super toxic and off-gases for generations,” he said, adding that hemp homes do not require any spray foam or other types of insulation.  Another aspect that made all of this possible was passage of the Farm Bill in 2017, which legalized hemp. Also, until three years ago, all hemp was sourced from Europe, which added quite an expense. For this project, all the hemp is coming from the San Luis Valley.  “Environmentally, here in Chaffee County, and with access to the San Luis Valley, we’re an ideal climate to be building with hempcrete and growing it,” NeJame said.  There are many reasons to use hemp, Schley explained. It has a great natural thermal mass; NeJame’s walls are a foot thick, which is an R30 – much higher than what building codes require. Hempcrete is also resistant to mold, mildew, fire, termites, rodents and insects, he added.  One of the most appealing characteristics of building with hemp, especially for NeJame and Zeiset, is the carbon sequestering element of the hemp plant.  READ MORE

Members of USHBA are in the running to speak at SXSW2025 in Austin, TX next March. Please vote for the "Biogenic Housing with Hempcrete" on the Panelpicker website. (The panels with the most votes get to speak!) Here's the link https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/146437

Members of USHBA are in the running to speak at SXSW2025 in Austin, TX next March. Please vote for the "Biogenic Housing with Hempcrete" on the Panelpicker website. (The panels with the most votes get to speak!) Here's the link https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/146437