Hemp Voices: Justin Loefler, Wyoming Hemp Company
Justin Loefler, owner operator at Wyoming Hemp Company, Hawk Springs, WY
My interest in hemp and hemp-based building materials is the driving force behind the establishment of Wyoming Hemp Company. As we witness a decline in traditional forestry and timber mills, I believe that industrial hemp represents a sustainable and innovative alternative for construction and building applications. This aligns with my vision of empowering American farmers to cultivate the materials needed for the future of construction. We are committed to processing industrial hemp in quantities sufficient to meet the demands of the building industry.
What was a win for your company in the past year? We celebrated significant milestones at Wyoming Hemp Company as we entered our fourth year of cultivating industrial hemp without any incidents. One of our key achievements was the successful implementation of several variety trials to assess and optimize different hemp strains for construction applications. Additionally, we launched our research farm, establishing a foundation for ongoing innovation and development in hemp cultivation and processing.
What is something about hemp building/construction/processing you didn’t know a year ago? One of the most surprising revelations over the past year has been the relative ease of using hemp in building construction, particularly when there is sufficient industrial hemp available to meet project demands. I had previously underestimated the potential of hemp as a viable material for large-scale construction. With increasing availability and interest from major manufacturers, we are now able to leverage hemp’s unique properties to create sustainable, high-performance building materials.
What challenges does the hemp building industry face that it must overcome? In my view, the hemp building industry faces two critical challenges that must be addressed for it to thrive.
First, there is a pressing need for an increased supply of processed hemp hurd that can adequately meet the growing demand from manufacturers. Currently, the hemp industry struggles to process the available biomass efficiently, which limits our ability to scale operations and fulfill larger orders. Developing robust processing capabilities is essential to ensure that we can provide the quantities needed for widespread adoption in construction.
Second, it is vital to establish solid, long-term contracts that encourage farmers to scale their operations from modest plots of 60 acres to significantly larger cultivations of several hundred to a few thousand acres. Many farmers are hesitant to invest in hemp cultivation due to the uncertainties in the market and the lack of guaranteed buyers for their commodity. To build confidence in the industry, we must demonstrate viable processing options and create a stable demand that assures farmers of a reliable return on their investment. By fostering these relationships and showcasing our processing advancements, we can cultivate a more secure and sustainable hemp supply chain that supports the industry's growth.
Contact: Justin Loefler
Phone: 307.222.9447
