Join Future Harvest, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension, Million Acre Challenge, and Mighty Thundercloud Edible Forest for an on-farm and hands-on workshop about hempcrete and on-farm structures, hemp trials, and associated nutrient management considerations.

Not having on-farm housing can make it very difficult for rural farms to attract workers or interns. Mighty Thundercloud Edible Forest farm owner, Thelonius Cook, is remedying this by constructing green, carbon storing housing on his farm property out of hempcrete, a natural substance made from industrial hemp.

In this workshop you will:

• Gain hands-on experience making hempcrete
• Tour the hemp variety trials farmer Thelonius is conducting in collaboration with Dr. Nadine Burton at University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension
• Discuss the nutrient management considerations involved with hemp
• Tour the rest of Mighty Thundercloud Edible Forest

We encourage participants to enroll their acres in the Million Acre Challenge, a region-wide regenerative agriculture initiative started by Future Harvest and partners. To learn more about the Million Acre Challenge, visit the website here and/or reach out to lisa@futureharvest.org.

About the farm

Mighty Thundercloud Edible Forest is a black-owned and operated farm located in Birdsnest, Virginia. Thelonius Cook, owner/operator, is a graduate of Future Harvest’s Beginner Farmer Training Program, serves on the Board of Future Harvest, and works with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s IT Department. Thelonius grows vegetables, herbs, and makes value-added products. He uses regenerative practices based on African methods and sells to 4P Foods, farmers markets, and co-ops.

This workshop counts as a BFTP hands-on day. There are 40 tickets available for the 2022 class of the BFTP and Future Harvest members, and there are 20 tickets available for the general public. The workshop will include a potluck lunch so please bring food to share! If you don’t feel comfortable sharing, due to COVID, just bring a packed lunch for yourself.

REGISTER HERE

Attendance Protocols

This workshop has limited spots available, please email Niamh (Neve) niamh@futureharvest.org if you need to cancel after ordering your ticket.

This BFTP Hands on Field Day is based on work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under grant number #: 2019-49400-30455. And it is also supported by funding from the Million Acre Challenge.