Reflections from the Symposium at the Lower Sioux made possible by the International Hemp Building Association (IHBA)

By Ingrid Fay, Board Member at Large

“We’re all learning and growing together. That’s what I love most about this industry.”

This year’s 3 day long 13th International Hemp Building Symposium at the Lower Sioux Indian Community was one I’ll never forget & one that’ll never be replicated. It was a once in a lifetime event! It was filled with people I’ve admired and followed for years; leaders from around the world who are shaping the future of regenerative construction. It was both inspiring and humbling to finally meet them in person.

Over the course of three days (Friday through Sunday) nearly 30 speakers shared an incredible wealth of knowledge spanning agriculture and research (Day 1), design (Day 2), and material science (Day 3). Each morning session ran from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., ending with lively panel discussions that tied the day’s themes together. Afterward, attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch before heading out for the hands-on tours and demonstrations that brought the conversations to life.

Community, Connection & Celebration

Outside the main venue, the grounds buzzed with activity. Cameron McIntosh of Americhanvre used the Ereasy spray system to build a massive timber-frame teepee with help from Matt and Samantha Marino of Homeland Hempcrete and Damien Baumer, developer of the Ereasy system. Inside the nearby processing facility, attendees joined Tim White for a block-laying demo and tried hands-on plastering techniques with Earthaus Plaster, even the kids got involved.

Saturday night’s symposium dinner was one for the books. Dallas Goldtooth served as the master of ceremonies for the charity auction supporting the Lower Sioux Community School, His humor and heart carried the night. He was gracious enough to pose for a selfie with Jacob Waddell and me!

One of my most memorable & unexpected things was when we all joined together in a traditional dance that filled the banquet hall with spirit and rhythm. Every person (hundreds of us) joined hands, moving in a great big circle to the heartbeat of the drums. The drummers’ passion and power gave me goosebumps; it was one of those rare moments when everyone in the room felt truly connected.

Books, Builders & the Beauty of Sharing Knowledge

Sunday brought even more connection. I shared lunch with Damien and his family, a beautiful reminder that the hemp-building movement is built as much on relationships as it is on materials. Later, I was thrilled to purchase the very last copy of Steve Allin’s Hemp Buildings: 50 International Case Studies, & he signed it just for me! I’ve wanted this book for years, and it will be our next USHBA Book Club selection. Mr Allin is the Founder of the International Hemp Building Association & the Symposium’s organizer. Thank you, Steve.

I also met Alex Sparrow, coauthor of The Hempcrete Book: Designing & Building with Hemp-Lime, our current Book Club read. He graciously signed my well-loved copy, which has traveled with me since I met his coauthor Will Stanwix on my first hemp-lime job site in South Carolina back in 2023. It’s amazing to see how far this movement (and my own journey within it) has come since then.

Honoring Danny Desjarlais: A True Leader in Hemp Building

It’s impossible to talk about this year’s symposium, or the progress we’re seeing in the United States, without acknowledging Danny Desjarlais. Danny’s leadership made this entire event possible. As Project Manager for Hemp Construction at the Lower Sioux Indian Community, he has been instrumental in advancing hemp-lime as a viable, scalable building material.

He was the lead author of the Code Change Proposal to the Minnesota Dept of Labor & Industry. It’s because of this work that the 2024 IRC Appendix BL, (the first official U.S. building code language for hemp-lime construction) was adopted in the state of Minnesotaearlier this year. His dedication, technical expertise, and humility have set the tone for what leadership in this industry should look like.

On top of all that, Danny is my co-lead for USHBA’s Region 5. It’s been an honor to collaborate with him as a peer and friend. The work Danny and his team are doing at Lower Sioux is not just about structures, it’s about sovereignty, growth, and service to community. Without his (& many others) vision and perseverance, none of this would have been possible.

Heritage, Healing & Hope

The Lower Sioux Indian Community was the perfect setting for this year’s symposium. On Sunday, attendees toured three newly completed hemp-lime homes. These are powerful examples of regenerative building rooted in cultural respect and local craftsmanship.

Earlier in the day, a visit to the Lower Sioux Agency Historic Site offered important historical context through a short film recounting the U.S.–Dakota War of 1862. It was a poignant reminder that how we build isn’t just about carbon or comfort. It’s about connection, continuity, and care.

The USHBA at the Symposium

I was especially proud to represent the U.S. Hemp Building Association throughout the symposium. The USHBA booth was one of the first tables that attendees saw as they entered the exhibition space. Our presence there helped support current members, welcome new ones, and connect with international partners who share our mission of advancing hemp-lime construction worldwide. Thanks to all who posed for a picture with their USHBA coffee mug.

As an organization, the USHBA stands in full support of moving the hemp-lime building industry forward by learning from those who have led the way globally. Meeting the builders, researchers, and advocates alike was pretty epic! Being part of this community reminds me daily that progress happens through collaboration, education, and shared purpose.

I left the Lower Sioux feeling both grateful and energized. This symposium wasn’t just a conference, it was a milestone for hemp building in America, and a reminder that we are, together, building the future from the ground up.

To all of you who attended; old friends, new friends, & those I didn't get a chance to meet yet, thank you for sharing your time, stories, and spirit. Together, we’re not just building with hemp-lime; we’re rebuilding a relationship with the way we build, using the past to shape a stronger, wiser future.

Written from Chicago, with gratitude to the Lower Sioux Indian Community, the IHBA, and everyone carrying this work forward.