Hemp Voices: Sarah Stephens, Midwest Hemp Technology
Sarah Stephens is CEO of Augusta, KS-based Midwest Hemp Technology
Hemp building materials serve the spaces where we live and work so well. They create environments that are healthy. They contribute to wellness for people who spend time in them.
With that understanding as inspiration, I certainly believe in the proliferation of hemp building materials moving toward widescale adoption with increasing consumer demand. Like all parts of the hemp supply chain, we’re trying to keep the supply and demand moving up at a somewhat equivalent rate. We have to grow in order to become part of the domestic supply of industrial materials while we need scaled commitments from industry conducting R & D along the way in order to get there.
What was a win for your company in the past year?
Collaborating with New West Genetics and Lincoln University on the Climate Smart Commodity Grant is something we’re really honored to be a part of in 2024. We’re providing a lot of support throughout the season to producers growing for grain production. There is growing interest among row crop farmers and it means so much when they call us and want to work with Midwest Hemp Tech for grain handling.
Anyone who sees a beautiful, lush hemp stand on 40 or more acres will tell you that it is life-changing. Hemp crops are on the cusp of revolutionizing carbon sequestration efforts and we’re also excited about the relationship developing with Hemp Carbon Standard where hemp farmers in our network are earning carbon credits when possible through hemp production.
What is something about hemp building/construction/processing you didn’t know a year ago?
There are lots of right ways to build with hemp! Innovative products available now, in development and those yet to be ideated are all important to the success of the hemp building materials industry. They all lead to new opportunities for farmers and healthy products for consumers.
What challenges does the hemp building industry face that it must overcome?
There is still a long way to go in the push to ease regulatory burdens that slow growth and limit markets. Working at the state and federal level in collaboration with other producers, processors and advocates to present unified ideas and adoptable legislation, everyone has something to contribute. Let’s keep pushing together to make earth friendly food and building materials that grow on farms in the U.S.A.
It is so interesting and inspiring to see this come together. The industry leaders making it happen have my high praise. Despite any difficulties, there are small, medium and massive wins happening all over the country for hemp producers, processors and manufacturers. What a great time to be involved in agricultural hemp!
Contact: Sarah Stephens
Phone: 316-619-7612
Email: info[a]midwesthemptech.com
