Lisa Duchene

Competitors and judges react to the announcement of the winning teams in the College of Agricultural Sciences’ 2021 Ag Springboard business pitch contest. A pair of recent graduates planning to manufacture and sell crop row covers made of hemp fiber won the top prize of $7,500 to support their venture.
 IMAGE: COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
 
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A pair of recent Penn State graduates planning to manufacture and sell crop row covers made of hemp fiber — instead of the typical plastic — won $7,500 toward their venture in the College of Agricultural Sciences’ 2021 Ag Springboard student business pitch contest.
Louis Waryanka and Sam Hackman competed as Irwin Innovation Group. They pitched their plan to produce and sell a row cover made of biodegradable fiber from hemp that sequesters carbon as it grows, helping to solve the problem of 11 billion square feet of damaged plastic row covers annually discarded by vegetable growers.
 
Full Article:
https://news.psu.edu/story/661887/2021/06/18/academics/team-pitching-hemp-crop-row-covers-replace-plastic-wins-ag

By Tim Nelson

The Traveler is a DIY prefab cabin kit that focuses on ushering hemp-based construction into the mainstream.All images are courtesy of Coexist Build
 
Since last March, changes to how we live and work have forced many of us to squeeze an increasing number of tasks into the same square footage. While looking for a new home is always an option, it’s perhaps become more trouble than it’s worth in the current real estate climate. But what if there was a way to boost your property’s square footage while using sustainable materials? As it turns out, there is—as long as you’re willing to build it yourself.
That’s the premise behind the Traveler, a DIY prefab cabin kit offered by Coexist Build, an architect-led business focused on ushering hemp-based construction into the mainstream. Brought to life by a team including architect of record Anastasiya Konopitskaya with engineering from Jellen Engineering Services, the Traveler aims to turn your extra backyard space into a multifunctional sanctuary. Capable of functioning as a quiet, secluded office, the cabin has sliding door panels that make it easy to bask in nature by letting the outdoors in. At 140 square feet, its ground level offers enough space for multiple queen-size beds, while a lofted area provides even more potential room for bedding if you’re in need of a cozy guest house.
Full Article:
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/best-designed-diy-tiny-home-uses-hemp

Dan Herer, son of legend Jack, has pledged his support for Genevieve’s Dream (Credit: Skunk Mag)
 
Combining both the history of hemp and the future of it at one time was the name of the game as the founder of the Jack Herer Foundation – his son Dan – gave his commitment to Genevieve’s Carousel Challenge and her journey in a very unique way. “I’m here to offer my support, I want to help anything good that’s going on in relation to the plant” Dan Herer told researcher Mike Robinson, Genevieve’s Dad, in a recent discussion over how both non profits benefit from working together.
Genevieve has Severe Autism and Severe Intractable Epilepsy – or at least that’s what the diagnosis are for her. From her Dad’s internet activity it’s easy to see that the child he once gave away oils to and then took on as his own daughter that she’s doing very well. “She’s made over a decade of cognitive gains in 4 years – Cannabis has changed her life and it did so in the beginning right before my eyes” the researcher stated.

At one time the 17 year old young lady was a Cannabis Compassion Patient – until Robinson and her mother Anne Mari united and they became a family many have read about on their website Cannabis Love Story.  “There were so many kids back in the days of Prop 215 and Dennis Peron” he stated, “our family was built upon the backbone of compassion and love and my mission includes making sure people remember legends like Dennis and Jack Herer – it’s important we know our roots.”
“Right after she turned 2 the Autism diagnosis came but It was never very clear about Epilepsy until right before I met Mike” Genevieve’s mom Anne Mari went on, “I didn’t know what I was going to do. First my child loses her ability to talk and even walk okay and then the seizures came on. I knew about cannabis but thought it was going to cost 3,000.00 a month to use the oils she needed. I didn’t have good information so I sought out advice from leaders in the world of Autism. I was told to look into Medical Marijuana and when I did I found the man that’s now Genevieve’s Daddy.”

“I’m cautiously excited about our future. I know there’s so many families that have hopes their child will do well with cannabis, they need to learn more about Genevieve” said her mom. Both Anne Mari and Mike Robinson are also very well known in the world of addiction and recovery where both celebrate freedom from substances due to cannabis.
“I spent 24 years hooked on opioids and was the first patient my doctor gave Purdue Pharmaceutical drugs to in the late 90’s. I can remember being told how they’d make me feel good but in January of 2019 after a lengthy Cancer battle I said goodbye to those deadly drugs. I didn’t truly feel good about myself and the pills didn’t control pain well, quitting was a gift to myself” he stated. Robinson was a professional racecar driver in his younger years and was critically injured in a career ending wreck back in 1995.
“The plant gives everyone a future, it’s given Genevieve a second lease on life. This is why we decided to do the Inaugural Genevieve’s Dream Golf Tournament. We need to have a venue in which many can gather and enjoy a day at the course with the ability to consume cannabis as well while learning more about Genevieve and others. It’s exciting to know that Landon Riddle will be there with mom Sierra – both of them inspire me and carry such a strong message as well that the world needs to hear about how this plant heals.” Robinson said.

The Jack Herer Foundation has endorsed an ‘open consumption’ Cannabis Golf event the family has planned for November 15th of this year at Porter Valley Country Club. “We’re working on getting our initial sponsors in place now that we know cannabis can be consumed at the event – we need to find the right people to provide the crowd with supplies” Robinson went on, “We’ve narrowed down many of the details but now we’re in a rush as we’ve got to secure that spot and then allow the folks at Elf Golf to do their job.” 
Robinson, with the help of Dan Herer, was able to get Elf Golf who’s recently began a nationwide tour of Golf Tournaments in the Hemp arena to agree to promote the event. But this extravaganza of an event being held by Carousel Challenge, the non profit Robinson created for Genevieve and her dream to have a carousel ride when the one she loved left town, is part of a much bigger plan he’s created to actually make her beautiful dream come true.
“I look forward to expanding our team as we work towards seeing the Genevieve’s Dream Farm and product line plan come to fruition. We’ve got a few people working on things, some shining stars, we’ll be talking more very soon.” According to Robinson his Dream Team is working away – and their presence online is starting to become apparent by the many that are just now learning more about Genevieve’s Journey – which was featured in High Times.
To find out more about the Golf Tournament – or to showcase your brand, product, or service and to be one of the sponsors – please visit Elf Golf’s Website.
“Genevieve and Mommy Anne Mari be at this event and we will finally be doing interviews together. I’ve had to be careful over the past 5 years as there were statutes of limitations about how I gave away oil – it’s a crime to help humanity. I’ve had to walk on eggshells waiting to tell the entire story – you know – write a book on it. Now that the time has elapsed we’re ready to let the world know how the Hemp plant has changed our lives.” Robinson said.
Just about anywhere and everywhere Robinson types you can find the same quote being spread about compassion and love as he pays homage to the legends of cannabis.
“Throughout the centuries there have been numerous people who have given up their freedom and life either dedicated to the plant or in jail for growing it or having it. It’s so important that we celebrate it’s legality and let the world know what it truly does. Why do you think they made the most wanted vegetable on earth illegal anyway – governments and others feared this plant knowing what it could and would do for the human race.” exclaimed the outspoken researcher.
“Compassion Is Love” -Dennis Peron
“If you substitute marijuana for tobacco and alcohol, you’ll add eight to 24 years to your life.” –Jack Herer, The Emperor Wears No Clothes

Christina Goodvin uses fibrous geothermal hempcrete blocks to insulate her tiny homes. (Submitted by Christina Goodvin – image credit)
 
An Alberta-based company is capitalizing on a budding hemp industry by turning the versatile plant into a main ingredient in the construction of tiny homes.
Christina Goodvin, owner of tiny homes and greenhouse design firm Goodvin Designs, uses hempcrete — a mixture of wood hemp shafts, a lime-based binder and water — as wall insulation in her tiny homes. Once it’s set, the fibrous blocks can be placed inside dry wall, under floors or beneath a roof.
“It’s basically a way to manage moisture in the walls,” she told CBC’s Edmonton AM on Thursday.
 
Full Article:
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/hempcrete-alberta-company-uses-hemp-120000714.html

New Zealand Hemp Industries Association Inc
“Hemp can be grown almost anywhere in any climate – from the deep south to the far north. It is an incredibly strong, fast-growing crop with so much potential. Not only is it naturally resistant to pests and weeds, it’s carbon negative and absorbs approximately four times more carbon dioxide than trees.
Full Article:
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2104/S00392/farmers-encouraged-to-look-to-hemp-to-improve-sustainable-farming-practices.htm

University Medical Center Groningen – Netherlands
 

COLIN KINNIBURGH | GRIST

(Illustration by Amelia Bates/Grist)
 
Winter in Paris is notoriously clammy, and this winter was no exception. But Gregory Ferembach didn’t need to turn on his heat much. One reason? The walls in his public housing building are lined with one of nature’s best insulation materials: hemp.
“We’re never cold in winter,” Ferembach said in French. “The kids walk around barefoot all the time, or even in their underwear.”
Ferembach says it helps that their apartment is on a middle floor, and their building is sandwiched between two others. But the coziness also owes to the unique material in their walls: “hempcrete,” a concrete-like blend made by mixing hemp hurd — the woody core of the cannabis plant — with water and lime. Despite the name, the material isn’t a direct substitute for concrete. But as an insulating material within walls, it holds the potential to transform the homes where we reside in ways that are healthier for people and the planet alike.
 
Full Article:
https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/the-secret-ingredient-in-paris-green-public-housing-hemp

• By Heather Collins

 
When hemp advocate Bruce Dietzen is cruising down the street in his hemp-based sports car, people think it’s just another vehicle trying to make a statement. And what a statement it is, especially when Bruce shares his story and reasons for wanting a more sustainably made and carbon neutral automobile on the road today.
“We can reduce the amount of carbon in the air with hemp. But what I am doing is more than just reducing carbon,” explains Dietzen, Founder of Renew Sports Cars and Carbon Negative Fiber. “Hemp has the potential to help everyone reduce their carbon footprint and live a life more carbon avoidant.”
 
Full Article:
https://www.yesweekly.com/cannabis/buckle-up-hemp-sports-car-drives-toward-sustainable-future/article_ef91e0ce-8d86-11eb-8dd6-237ff6d87e56.html

Full Article:
https://www.thekansan.com/story/news/2021/03/12/best-foot-forward-triathlete-uses-prosthetic-made-hemp/6940397002/?fbclid=IwAR3occDguLvymUxgOrRbJA2NfQ23EyUREYuOJXPvAW7g52LuCE2FWA00cPQ