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Hempcrete Revolution: Lower Sioux and Patagonia Team Up!

In the heart of Minnesota, a remarkable story of innovation, sustainability, and indigenous resilience is unfolding. The Lower Sioux tribe, led by visionary builder Danny Desjarlais, is pioneering a hempcrete revolution to construction that could change how we think about sustainable housing. The Journey Begins The story of these groundbreaking hemp homes started unexpectedly. When author Judith Madoff followed the tribe’s crew for a few days and wrote an article for Grist, little did they know it would catch the eye of Patagonia. Yvonne Chouinard’s daughter read the piece and sparked a chain of events that would bring their innovative work to global attention.

A Technological Marvel in Extreme Conditions

Minnesota is notorious for its extreme climate – a perfect testing ground for innovative building techniques. With temperature swings from brutal -20°F winters to scorching, humid summers, the region presents unique challenges for any construction method. The University of Minnesota’s Center for Sustainable Building Research has recognized the tribe’s location as an ideal proving ground for alternative building technologies. The Hemp Home Experiment Danny Desjarlais shared a remarkable demonstration of hempcrete’s potential. During one particularly cold night when temperatures plummeted to -20°F, their experimental hemp home performed extraordinarily. Without a traditional furnace and using only passive solar heating, the interior maintained an impressive 59 degrees. This test showcased hempcrete’s incredible thermal properties – storing heat from sunlight and providing exceptional insulation.

The Hempcrete Revolution: Representing More Than Just a Building Technique

For the Lower Sioux tribe, this is more than just an architectural experiment. It’s a statement of environmental stewardship, indigenous innovation, and sustainable living. Ingrid Fay, a board member of the US Hemp Building Association, emphasizes the educational importance of their work, spreading awareness about hemp building’s potential.

A Message of Resilience During the Q&A

Mark Rainbow Walker, a Pamunkey tribe member (one of Virginia’s federally recognized tribes) beautifully captured the spirit of the project, blessing the tribe with wishes of “seven generations of prosperity” – a traditional Native American concept of long-term sustainability and community well-being.

Derrick Gooden, Courtney Kusterer, Prof. Nate Miller & Bruce Harmon

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Looking Forward: The hempcrete homes represent more than just an alternative building method. They symbolize hope – a fusion of traditional knowledge and modern sustainable technology. As climate change continues to challenge our traditional approaches to shelter, innovations like these offer a glimpse of a more resilient future. Key Takeaways:

  • Hempcrete can maintain interior temperatures in extreme conditions
  • Indigenous communities are at the forefront of sustainable innovation
  • Passive solar design can significantly reduce energy consumption
  • Sustainable building techniques can work in the most challenging environments

The Lower Sioux Indian Community isn’t just building houses; they’re building a blueprint for a more sustainable future.

Freshly processed hemp stalks into hemp hurd
The hurd is then mixed with lime to create hempcrete
The Lower Sioux are utilizing the hempcrete spray application
This appliacation is packed down and allowed to dry before adding the next layer
The Lower Sioux\'s hempcret duplex on the reservation
Danny Desjarlais hempcrete construction team

Hemp: More Than a Crop

At Redfern Hemp Co., we believe hemp is more than just a plant—it’s a catalyst for community transformation, economic innovation, and cultural revival. Every workshop, every event, every conversation about hemp is an opportunity to demystify hemp’s potential beyond its intoxicating attributed.

As a company we’re committed to showcasing all of hemp’s economic opportunities for local farmers. we promise to continue highlighting sustainable solutions for construction, energy, and manufacturing while preserving Virginia’s rich agricultural heritage.Join us in cultivating that future, one hemp product at a time. Shop Local. Support Local. Grow Virginia’s Hemp Future.

Visit Redfern Hemp Co.’s online store today.

From Seed to Bird Feed!

PIERCE REDFERN

Sales & Production

I am native to Richmond and attended Collegiate School and The University of Alabama. I am married to my wife, Lauren, and we have two children together, Palmer and Hendley. Graham is my older brother and I have been with the company since the fall of 2022.

I enjoy hunting, fishing and just about anything outdoors. Graham’s strong passion for this industry motivates others to excel, including myself. I love the team we have together now and can’t wait to see what the future holds for Redfern Hemp Co.!

GLORIA RAMIREZ

Kitchen Production

Gloria is from Guatemala. She moved to Virginia in 2023 and began working with the Redfern Team.

Gloria plays a pivotal role in ensuring that our products are precisely packaged using our quality control SOP guidelines.

ROB UJEVIC

Outside Sales

I’m from Reston, VA currently living in Richmond and Engaged with no kids yet… I began working for Redfern after my original venture, Gourmet Hemp Foods, partnered with them. I love Redfern cause they offer freedom and flexibility to grow.

Redfern is family oriented and serves the community and customers with utmost diligence. Graham Redfern is the hardest working leader I’ve ever had the privilege to work for!

WHITNEY MORGAN

Market Manager

I’m from Caroline County, Virginia and I am married to my husband Ryan. I’ve worked with Redfern Hemp Co. a little over two years. Before that I was a nanny and I worked as a pediatric dental assistant.

I handle online sales and a few outside wholesale accounts. Working with Redfern is a dream job I never thought I’d have.

We are a true family. We work like one, and argue like one. As a team we are flexible and have a real love for the plant and what it can do. There is no limit for the plant so there is no limit for us.

For example, my mom suffered from hair loss after Covid. She started to add Redfrn’s Whole Plant Tincture into her shampoo and conditioner and it helped her hair regrow. The plant is magic!

TIFFANY OBLINSKY

HR & Administration

Tiffany is the anchor of our team, ensuring that we stay organized and that the company’s operations are always running smoothly. During her free time, Tiffany enjoys taking her family to Lake Anna while simultaneously keeping Graham in line from her smartphone!

Corey Reed

Social Media Manager

Hi, I’m Corey. Originally from Charlotte, NC, I’ve called Virginia my second home for over 12 years. With a 10-year background in healthcare and nursing, and 5 years in content creation and social media, I’ve developed a diverse skill set. In my free time, I enjoy creating content, writing music, fishing, and being the best father I can be. Working with Graham and the Redfern team has been a dream come true. It has allowed me to pursue my passions for content creation, health and wellness, community morale, and making meaningful connections. At Redfern Hemp Co, I oversee the social media side of the business. You can also catch me at Redfern Market, so feel free to stop by and say hi!

COURTNEY KUSTERER

Production / Sales / Event Manager

Knowledgeable and passionate about the hemp plant, Courtney is an all around asset to our company. Since her early days with Graham in Waynesboro, she has acquired invaluable insights and business knowledge to help the success of our small business. Her ability to tell the Redfern story is unmatched. If you’ve ever seen one of our event setups, you can tell that Courtney had her creative ideas flowing. She has built a strong wholesale portfolio, while strengthening our network of industry connections. Her expertise in directing customers to the right products is undeniable, playing a pivotal role in assisting Graham in building the company from the ground up. In her free time, Courtney enjoys moments on the farm with Graham and their farm family of cat, cows, chickens, ducks, and dogs. She also values family time at Virginia Tech football games and moments on the boat or at the beach.

GRAHAM REDFERN

Owner & Hemp Farmer

Before I became an American hemp farmer and entrepreneur, I first heard of the hemp industry during a period when my construction business thrived, but the housing crash of 2009 changed everything. While visiting Asheville, North Carolina, I encountered a groundbreaking green building – a house made 90% from hemp, from the flooring to the walls, excluding only electrical components and appliances.

Intrigued, I consulted with Andrea Herman, president of the Hemp Industries of America, spending an hour and $150 to understand the challenges of building such houses in the U.S.. When Andrea explained the steep costs preventing widespread use of U.S.-grown hemp, it ignited a passion in me. I questioned, “Why not?” This moment became a catalyst for my deep dive into the hemp industry.

Passage of the Farm Bills

In 2014, the passing of the Farm Bill allowed universities to grow hemp, prompting me to shift from the car industry. Initially unsure of my path, I invested in penny hemp stocks and connected with the Virginia Industrial Hemp Coalition, working with universities such as JMU, UVA, VSU, and Virginia Tech to explore potential markets.

For four years, restricted by regulations to work with universities, I delved into the banking industry. When the 2019 Farm Bill dismantled barriers, allowing American farmers to cultivate cannabis plants with less than 0.3% THC, my dream took a leap. Redfern Hemp Co. was born, marking the legal sale of hemp products in Virginia for the first time in over seventy years. With my girlfriend Courtney, we hustled – attending state fairs, cultivating hemp on our 42-acre Caroline County farm, and navigating the burgeoning industry. Fast-forward to 2023, and despite being one of the few companies remaining, we face challenges.

Unfortunately, Virginia lawmakers have strained our efforts, declaring federally legal cannabinoid-derived hemp products illegal unless sold by a select few medical marijuana operators.

In the face of Virginia’s attempt to monopolize medical marijuana, we persist in expanding cannabis job opportunities for all Virginians.

We champion Virginians’ rights to affordable, high-quality products, battling against restrictive legislation. It’s disheartening to see the government hindering the benefits of this plant, including job creation and increased taxation.

Restoring Virginia’s Hemp Farming Legacy

There was a time when Virginian hemp farmers paid taxes with hemp. Reintroducing low-dosage, safe cannabinoid products in smoke shops, convenience stores, and local markets could restore this tradition on a broader scale than a handful of licensees. We’re committed to reclaiming this birthright, enabling Virginians to pay their taxes with hemp once again.

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