Code, Carbon and Hemp-Lime Construction with Jake Waddell

Code, Carbon and Hemp-Lime Construction with Jake Waddell

Author: Eric Hurlock, Digital Editor November 12, 2025 Duration: 51:49

This week on the Hemp Show, we're talking to Jake Waddell from the Hemp Building Institute about the future of hemp construction, building codes and embodied carbon.

Hemp-lime construction has come a long way — from early experiments in a garage to an officially recognized building material in the International Residential Code.

Environmental Product Declarations, or EPDs, are changing how sustainability is measured in construction and what that means for hemp-based materials.

And even when government funding for climate-forward projects gets cut, the people driving this industry keep finding ways to move forward.

"Now we have codes. We've had a lot of progress and movement into making hemp-lime construction more of a realistic prospect rather than just a really good idea," Waddell said.

We also discussed why EPDs are critical if hemp is going to be recognized for what it does best. Waddell explains that when hemp-based materials lock carbon into a building, that carbon stays out of the atmosphere for decades — a measurable climate benefit that current systems often overlook.

"Trapping carbon in a building keeps it out of the atmosphere — and that's a real benefit," he said.

All that and more.

Learn More

Hemp Building Institute

hempbuildinginstitute.org

International Code Council – Appendix BL

codes.iccsafe.org

NYSERDA – Energy Research & Development Authority

nyserda.ny.gov

HempToday.net

hemptoday.net

Americhanvre Cast Hemp

americhanvre.com

Hemp Education and Marketing Initiative (HEMI)

hempinitiatives.org

News Nugget from HempToday

New Zealand fiber-materials venture shifts processing line to streamline production logistics

hemptoday.net/new-zealand-fiber-materials-venture-shifts-processing-line-to-streamline-production-logistics/

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Americhanvre Cast Hemp

americhanvre.com

HEMI – Hemp Education and Marketing Initiative

hempinitiatives.org


There’s a quiet revolution happening in fields and factories, and it’s centered on a single, versatile plant. Industrial Hemp Podcast, guided by Eric Hurlock, the Digital Editor at Lancaster Farming, moves beyond the headlines to explore what’s actually happening on the ground. This isn’t just theoretical discussion; it’s a direct line to the people driving the industry forward. Each episode features conversations with the farmers who are planting and harvesting these crops, facing very real agronomic challenges and opportunities. You’ll also hear from researchers, processors, and policy experts who are shaping the future of hemp for fiber, grain, and other industrial applications. The dialogue digs into the practicalities-from planting techniques and harvesting equipment to market trends, regulatory hurdles, and technological innovations that are changing the game. It’s a clear-eyed look at an agricultural sector finding its footing, reported by journalists with deep roots in farming communities. For anyone curious about the business, science, and sheer hard work behind industrial hemp, this podcast serves as an essential, grounded resource. Tune in for honest talk that cuts through the hype and gets to the root of this growing field.
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Industrial Hemp Podcast
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