Ep. 11 - Is Hempcrete the Secret to a Fire-Resistant California? With Hemp Building Experts – GBL TV

Times like these test our resilience and unity, especially in Southern California, where wildfires have caused unimaginable loss. But as we rebuild, hope lies in innovative solutions. Could hemp be one of them?

In this episode of Just Say KNOW! with Maria, we hear from hemp-building experts Sergiy Kovalenov from Hempire and Chris Magwood, zero-carbon builder and author, about hemp's game-changing potential in construction. We also hear from cannabis activist Patrick H. Moore and Dan Herer, the son of the legendary Jack Herer, acclaimed author, of The Emperor Wears No Clothes, about the importance of investing in hemp as a society. Press play to learn how this fast-growing, carbon-negative crop is being used to create fire-resistant, mold-resistant, and energy-efficient building materials like hempcrete.

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Guests

Sergiy Kovalenov, Founder of Hempire, an expert in hempcrete construction
Chris Magwood, Zero-carbon builder, author, and advocate for sustainable materials
Patrick H. Moore, Cannabis activist and advocate for hemp legalization
Dan Herer, Son of Jack Herer, cannabis and hemp industry advocate

Sources

California Wildfire History and Statistics - Frontline Wildfire Defense
How the Los Angeles Wildfires Compare to Historic Wildfires - by Solcyre Burga, Time (Jan 2025)
Climate Whiplash - by Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker -(Jan 2025)
World Green Building Council _ Reports materials and emissions
U.S. Hemp Building Association – Statistics on hemp homes in the U.S.
U.S. Department of Agriculture – Data on industrial hemp acreage
Berkeley’s Verdant Structural Engineers – Insights on natural building materials
Chris Magwood's Website Builders for Climate Action: Co-founded by Chris Magwood, this organization focuses on reducing carbon emissions in construction.
Hempcrete Information by Natural Building Alliance: Provides insights into hempcrete as a sustainable building material
Data on Hemp's Carbon Footprint in Construction: Discusses hempcrete's carbon sequestration properties.

Resources

The Emperor Wears No Clothes by Jack Herer – A foundational book on hemp’s history and uses
South Bend Industrial Hemp Processing – U.S.-based hempcrete supplier
Lower Sioux Community Hempcrete Building Program – A case study on cost-effective hemp construction
Hempire – Company specializing in hemp-based building materials
Fiber Fort – Detroit-based natural building company focused on sustainable construction
GBL Learning Center _ Hemp Articles

Extras

Sergiy Kovalenkov Hemp Build Mastermind Contributor (YouTube Video Interview)
U.S. companies that specialize in manufacturing and supplying hempcrete building materials:
- Hemp Block USA: The sole supplier of interlocking load-bearing hempcrete blocks across North America, offering sustainable building solutions for various construction projects.
- Hemp Building Company: Based in Lafayette, Colorado, this company provides hemplime insulation services, natural building materials, and training workshops, promoting eco-friendly construction practices.
- HempStone: Specializing in natural building materials, HempStone offers hemp hurd, lime binders, and plasters, supporting sustainable construction with a focus on hemp-lime applications.
- Hemp and Block: As the first company dedicated to producing hemp blocks made in the USA, they remain committed to building the domestic supply chain for hemp-based construction materials.

For a comprehensive list of companies involved in hemp construction, you can refer to the International Hemp Building Association, which provides a directory of its member companies. Additionally, HempBuild Magazine has published a Hemp Building Directory that features over 400 contacts and businesses from around the world in the hemp-building industry. These resources are valuable for identifying and connecting with leading manufacturers and suppliers of hempcrete building materials.

*FDA Disclaimer: The content in this video is meant for educational purposes only. The FDA has not evaluated the statements in this video and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.