Hempcrete Building Learning Experience

Join us at Diggers Co-op in Acton, ME to learn about building with hemp - including sourcing the materials, mixing the recipe, & installing it to form a livable structure. We’ll be co-creating the structure for a Solviva Greenhouse, which will enable Diggers to grow food year round!
Opt to participate in our hempcrete building interactive ONLINE COURSE before attending the in-person workshop, to learn from John Patterson.
Learn more about the online course: permatours.org

SLIDING SCALE PRICING:
Abundance - $555
Ideal for those who can comfortably afford this ticket and typically have enough to spend on vacations. This amount not only covers the cost of the workshop but also helps Permatours continue hosting additional educational events.
Sustaining - $444
Suitable for those who can generally cover their basic needs without financial strain. This fee covers all workshop costs.
Accessible - $333
Designed for those who may struggle to meet their basic needs, making participation possible. This contribution covers the cost of food and workshop materials.
Work trade & Scholarships also available. More below.

ABOUT THE PRODUCERS: Permatours is a non profit focused on increasing food and housing security by creating joyful learn-by-doing experiences that teach people how to grow food and build structures regeneratively. Additionally, through hosting events at community centers throughout the U.S., we’re weaving together a network of hubs that provide opportunities for people to contribute and share their gifts in exchange for food & housing.

Do you have a desire to learn more about natural building? Would you like to be involved in co-creating a remarkable, sustainable structure? Are you looking to enter the natural building industry?

Join us for 3 days of education centered around building with hempcrete - from sourcing the materials to mixing the recipe and installing it - you’ll apply your newfound learnings, meet people who share a common interest, celebrate the epic structure we’ll create together, and leave with skills to build your own structure or business! We will be casting hempcrete & installing it onto a wall of a Solviva greenhouse, located on a beautiful 26-acre forested property - home to Diggers Cooperative. People of all ages 18+ & of all abilities are welcome to attend. Healthy meals are included in the ticket price!

MORE ON WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
Hemp/lime recipes, mixing & application
The history of hemp & its many potential uses for our modern society - in materials, science, and technology.
Construction 101
A shuttering/forming system designed by John Patterson
Retrofitting
Planning a hempcrete build
Foundations, framing & roofing
Permitting structures using natural material
Permitting for tiny houses
Fitting into the construction schedule
Cost of materials & how to source them
Application methods & scaling up tools for larger projects
Current opportunities in the natural building industry sector
The natural building economy!

JOIN US TO:
Start your own hemp construction company or other kind of hemp business that serves a sub-sector or supplier niche
Become part of global network of hemp builders/entrepreneurs
Learn to build your own home
Learn about starting a small hemp farm
Learn about hemp processing on a small scale

BENEFITS OF HEMP/LIME CONSTRUCTION:
Cleaner indoor air
Fire resistant
Energy efficient
Money savings
Less maintenance
No mold or mildew
No pests
Sequesters carbon
Reduced illness

FEATURED SPEAKERS:
John Patterson of Tiny Hemp Houses
Scott Guzman of Diggers Cooperative & Permatours
Djini facilitating an ecstatic dance on Saturday evening
Erica Sproul leading a mini Kombucha Making Class
Sara Lentz leading Yoga on Saturday & Sunday morning

SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY:
2 PM: Check in, set up your camp & get ready for fun!
6 PM: Opening Circle, followed by dinner
7 PM: Fireside jams
FRIDAY:
9 AM: Breakfast
9 AM - 10 AM Breakfast & Hempcrete Building Slideshow
10 AM - 12 PM - First official build day, focus on getting our build site ready & install first few batches of hempcrete. Learn about safety, history of hemp building, & background of the movement
12 PM - Lunch
1 PM - 5 PM: Continue what's noted above.
6 PM: Dinner
7 PM: Fireside jams
SATURDAY:
8:15 AM: Yoga
9 AM: Breakfast
10 AM to 1 PM: On day 2 we’ll learn the process of building the forms, preparing the recipes, mixing & installing
1 PM: Lunch
1 PM - 5 PM: We will hone our skills as we work on the wall application system.
5 PM: Light snacks available before dance
6 PM - 8 PM: Ecstatic Dance
8 PM: Dinner, Campfire, & fireside jams
SUNDAY:
8:15 AM: Yoga
9 AM: Breakfast
10 AM - 12 PM: Study the many ways and places to install our system, including installing floors and ceilings.
12 PM to 1 PM: Lunch
1 PM to 4:30 PM: Plaster & finishing, Learn how to mix & apply the finish plaster to our wall
5:30 PM: Closing Circle
Visit eventbrite to register & find worktrade / scholarship applications.