Lower Sioux Community to Host 13th International Hemp Building Symposium

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Jan 19

Written By Jean Lotus

*Lower Sioux’s hemp processing facility hosted a Field Day and Open House in September, 2024. Photo courtesy of Danny Desjarlais*

Lower Sioux Community to Host 13th International Hemp Building Symposium

By Jean Lotus

An international gathering of hemp building experts will host its annual conference and expo in the United States for the first time at the Lower Sioux Indian Community in Morton, MN in October, 2025.

The Ireland-based International Hemp Building Association announced this week that the group’s 13th annual event will focus on the entire industrial hemp supply chain from growing hemp in local farms to processing and then building with hemp materials. The Lower Sioux are among the first hemp processors in the United States who have built multiple homes using local hemp grown and processed by the same community. The event will be co-hosted by Pennsylvania-based Americhanvre Cast Hemp, who license the Ereasy spray hempcrete system used by the Lower Sioux hemp builders who built four structures on the Lower Sioux reservation last year.

“Materials derived from hemp crops have been shown to provide a range of sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions for building comfortable homes,” a press release from IHBA’s founder Steve Allin said. “On the Lower Sioux Reservation, processing facilities havebeen established to produce these materials as part of the “Seed to Sovereignty” project. This initiative aims to build and upgrade homes, offering genuinely affordable housing for members of the tribal community.”

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*Family members pose at the Lower Sioux Field Day in September, 2024. Photo courtesy of Danny Desjarlais*

Americhanvre

South Bend Industrial Hemp

Sativa Building Systems

Hillside Center for Sustainable Living

Gradek Contracting & Designs

CannaVision

US Heritage Group

Right Coast Hemp

In September last year, the US Environmental Protection Association announced an almost $5 million award to the Lower Sioux to build or retrofit 30 homes on the reservation with industrial hemp and install 70 heat pump heating systems. Additionally, Lower Sioux’s hemp building crew were featured in a feature documentary “GreenBuffalo” released by the clothing company Patagonia.

*A hempcrete panel home being assembled on the Lower Sioux reservation with Hemeland Hempcrete panels. Photo courtesy Homeland Hempcrete*

Aaron Grail Construction

IND HEMP

Hemp Building Directory 2025

HempBLOCK USA

The International Hemp Building Symposium has traditionally been held at European sites, including last year at the Ekolution AB hemp insulation factory in Saffanstorp, Sweden and in 2023 in Amsterdam.

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Parsons Healthy Materials Lab

Hemp Building Institute

Hempitecture

Hempire

*A demonstration of the Ereasy Spray machine at the Lower Sioux Field Day and Open House. Photo Courtesy of Danny Desjarlais.*

*The 12th Annual Hemp Building Symposium was held in Saffanstorp, Sweden. Photo courtesy of IHBA.*

Homeland Hempcrete

Verdant Structural Engineers

Hemp Build School

Boardwurks

“The IHBA Symposiums have a well-earned reputation for uniting experts across the sector,” a statement from the IHBA announced. “Academic researchers present the latest test results, construction industry leaders share insights from completed projects, and innovators showcase new products and developments. As the U.S. begins adopting hemp-based building materials and systems, bringing together international experts with experience in successful projects worldwide is essential to guide this emerging field.”

The event will take place at the Jackpot Junction Hotel in Morton. Demonstrations and site visits will take place around the reservation. The event will also feature a Gala Dinner with a charity auction in aid of the Lower Sioux School MC’d by a celebrity (to be announced) followed by an awards ceremony, the last day will wrap up the symposium with an after party.

All profits from the event will be shared equally between the International Hemp Building Association and the Lower Sioux Indian Community, the IHBA announced.

To find out more or register: https://internationalhempbuilding.org/events