SEEDS & Nature’s Grace Deli to Host Hempcrete Workshop May 12-16

HONESDALE – SEEDS (Sustainable Energy Education and Development Support) and Nature’s Grace Health Foods & Deli have partnered to bring an extensive, hands-on workshop on hempcrete,  a sustainable, innovative building material. 

A seminar will be hosted on Thursday, May 12 at 7pm at the Cooperage Project in Honesdale, followed by an all-day hands-on workshop on Friday, May 13 from 8am to 5pm at 168 Church St. in Prompton. The seminar will be led by hempcrete expert Cameron McIntosh, founder of Americhanvre Home Building Solutions (americhanvre.com)  and the hands-on workshop will continue each day through Monday. 

Workshop attendees will learn to build a hempcrete structure, including forming the walls and roof, mortar-mixing the hempcrete and details on finishing walls and electrical.  The concrete pad has already been placed and the building is framed out and ready for electricity. The hands-on component will continue throughout the weekend, with a goal of finishing the walls and roof by Monday. Lunch will be provided by Nature’s Grace (naturesgrace.net). 

This educational experience will be of interest to construction contractors as well as potential home builders and do-it-yourselfers. Interested attendees are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the event, or any part of the experience. 

More information and registration can be found at bit.ly/SEEDSHempcrete. 

Hempcrete is an upcoming material that is quickly gaining attention for many good reasons, including its environmental friendliness.  Hempcrete breathes, allowing moisture to evaporate (no mold), does not off-gas, and is avoided by termites. The non-toxic and lightweight properties of hempcrete also ensure it is easy to move around a job site. Hempcrete does not shrink, maintains a steady temperature, and can also increase in strength over time.  In addition, hemp and lime based biocomposite insulation, known as “hempcrete”, can be produced sustainably from a highly renewable resource that sequesters carbon as it grows. The resulting insulation is carbon negative, yet also has considerable thermal, acoustic and fire resistance properties. This material can be incorporated into walls, floors and even roofs.

SEEDS is a nonprofit environmental education organization based in Honesdale, promoting sustainable energy and sustainable living in Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Upper Delaware region. Its goals include improving the health of our environment and local economy through energy efficiency and sustainability practices, such as conservation and recycling. For more information about SEEDS, visit www.seedsgroup.net.