MISSION
By collaborating with communities disproportionately impacted, Build Green Now drives sustainable growth and innovation in Hemp-lime Insulation and supply chain / market development.
About Build Green Now
Our innovative approach centers on Public Benefit Contracts, tools and digital services, ensuring projects deliver significant community benefits and promote social equity. We emphasize reciprocal mentoring relationships and use Collaboration Engineering to accelerate the adoption of regenerative best practices informed by the wisdom and desires of the communities we serve.
Video by Ty Chee
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your tax-deductible donation directly powers our work.
History:
ICC-11 is the team of industry experts that presented Hemp-Lime as Residential Insulation to the International Code Council in 2022. The 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) includes Appendix BL. Our team is co-founded by Henry Gage, Jr. (former President of the USHBA & ICC-11 member), Dr. Sally Warren (ICC-11 member & Board Certified Naturopath) and Jeff Gagnon (Hudson Valley's leading natural materials builder).
Our team witnessed Cornell develop an Industrial Hemp cultivar for NY over a 3 years period. We were honored to deliver the NY Industrial Hemp Road map at the Cornell Field day in September 2025 (contact us for speaking engagements). We are the state’s first certified spray-applied Hemp-Lime Insulation team in NY (in collaboration with Cornell). In Q4/2025 we became members of the Cornell Bio-Economy Advisory Board, and are focused on increasing market activity in all 62 NY counties.
ICC-11 is the team of industry experts that presented Hemp-Lime as Residential Insulation to the International Code Council in 2022. The 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) includes Appendix BL. Our team is co-founded by Henry Gage, Jr. (former President of the USHBA & ICC-11 member), Dr. Sally Warren (ICC-11 member & Board Certified Naturopath) and Jeff Gagnon (Hudson Valley's leading natural materials builder).
Our team witnessed Cornell develop an Industrial Hemp cultivar for NY over a 3 years period. We were honored to deliver the NY Industrial Hemp Road map at the Cornell Field day in September 2025 (contact us for speaking engagements). We are the state’s first certified spray-applied Hemp-Lime Insulation team in NY (in collaboration with Cornell). In Q4/2025 we became members of the Cornell Bio-Economy Advisory Board, and are focused on increasing market activity in all 62 NY counties.
A legacy of community work
2025-12-20 Empowering Communities
Ulster County, New York 2025-12-09
Fields of Opportunity Conference
Communities need solutions now.
When you support Build Green Now, you are expediting the creation of solutions that are better, delivered faster and shared with more transparency.
New York Industrial Hemp - Gallery
(Hudson Valley - A place to Grow!)
People can Change the Law
Think about it - your support today powers an initiative where 3,144 counties can collaborate and change their local and state laws (creating new laws) in less than one year.
Your donation will take our local success nationwide. I personally commit to working with the USHBA as a Senior Project Manager on a national collaboration to introduce hemp-lime, straw bale, 3D-printing, and new insulation materials proposals to over 3,144 county councils in 2025.
That's potentially thousands of communities with greener, healthier, more affordable building options.
Your donation will take our local success nationwide. I personally commit to working with the USHBA as a Senior Project Manager on a national collaboration to introduce hemp-lime, straw bale, 3D-printing, and new insulation materials proposals to over 3,144 county councils in 2025.
That's potentially thousands of communities with greener, healthier, more affordable building options.
ICC-11 (International Team)
Creating New Building Rules: Henry's volunteer leadership as former Certifications Director and President (2022) of the US Hemp Building Association (USHBA) and Sally (Board Certified Naturopath), assisted with getting hemp-lime recommended for adoption by the International Code Council (ICC), ensuring that hemp-lime projects are "State of The Art," improving the quality of hemp-lime projects world-wide.
This was work. We were all volunteers. We proved that determined volunteers can transform industries.
This was work. We were all volunteers. We proved that determined volunteers can transform industries.
USHBA to Cornell Bio Economy Advisory board (62 Counties Hub and spoke)
From National Leadership to New York's Bio-Economy Hub-and-Spoke Model Vision
Henry's leadership as Certifications Director and President of the US Hemp Building Association (2022) successfully integrated hemp-lime into the International Building Code through the ICC-11 team effort—achieving national policy success. Dr. Sally Warren, Board Certified Naturopath and VP of Build Green Now, reported there are over $1 billion in lawsuits in construction due to damp, mildew, and mold. Hemp-lime is a candidate solution to remedy this crisis. We are working with community leaders to onboard them to the platform and scale up insulation services business opportunities.
After building New York State's first hemp-lime retrofit and achieving national building code success, Henry transitioned to state leadership by joining several local farms and the Cornell Bio Economy Advisory Board. This strategic shift focuses on building New York's Bio-Economy through a hub-and-spoke model: Cornell and RPI serve as research and processing hubs at the center, with SUNY, CUNY, and BOCES campuses as spokes extending into all 62 counties.
Cornell sought Build Green Now's guidance on equipment selection and purchased the EREASY spray-applied hemp-lime system we recommended. The first project using this shared equipment model is already completed, demonstrating how the hub-and-spoke approach reduces risk for local contractors while accelerating market development statewide.
See the video below.
Henry's leadership as Certifications Director and President of the US Hemp Building Association (2022) successfully integrated hemp-lime into the International Building Code through the ICC-11 team effort—achieving national policy success. Dr. Sally Warren, Board Certified Naturopath and VP of Build Green Now, reported there are over $1 billion in lawsuits in construction due to damp, mildew, and mold. Hemp-lime is a candidate solution to remedy this crisis. We are working with community leaders to onboard them to the platform and scale up insulation services business opportunities.
After building New York State's first hemp-lime retrofit and achieving national building code success, Henry transitioned to state leadership by joining several local farms and the Cornell Bio Economy Advisory Board. This strategic shift focuses on building New York's Bio-Economy through a hub-and-spoke model: Cornell and RPI serve as research and processing hubs at the center, with SUNY, CUNY, and BOCES campuses as spokes extending into all 62 counties.
Cornell sought Build Green Now's guidance on equipment selection and purchased the EREASY spray-applied hemp-lime system we recommended. The first project using this shared equipment model is already completed, demonstrating how the hub-and-spoke approach reduces risk for local contractors while accelerating market development statewide.
See the video below.
NY's First Hemp-Lime Spray Applied Project
We are honored to continue this collaboration with Cornell, focusing on $5 million in capital equipment to accelerate New York State's industrial hemp markets—cultivation, decortication, insulation, textiles, food, animal bedding, and fiber. We are advocating with Cornell for state-level funding.
In 2025, Build Green Now became the fiscal sponsor for the Esopus Agriculture Center in Ulster County, which is becoming a community bio-economy and agriculture crucible of innovation. We are building a vision for the region and planning to grow industrial hemp.
This shift from national policy to regional bio-economy development required new collaboration tools, beyond the capacity of email and phone calls.
A state-level project affecting 62 counties is only efficient when governed using a custom-built working group-focused platform that include task at a time project management. Because none existed, we started Voices for Progress and built a tool we will announce at the historic Fields of Opportunity Hemp Conference.
In 2025, Build Green Now became the fiscal sponsor for the Esopus Agriculture Center in Ulster County, which is becoming a community bio-economy and agriculture crucible of innovation. We are building a vision for the region and planning to grow industrial hemp.
This shift from national policy to regional bio-economy development required new collaboration tools, beyond the capacity of email and phone calls.
A state-level project affecting 62 counties is only efficient when governed using a custom-built working group-focused platform that include task at a time project management. Because none existed, we started Voices for Progress and built a tool we will announce at the historic Fields of Opportunity Hemp Conference.
New York - Industrial Hemp - Videos
The power of collaboration
With this approach people can create "State of The Art" projects from coast to coast, by The People, For the People. Check out: MaayaData and see Voices for Progress.
Your donation will help people build the future they actually want. Through the genius of AI Supervised by Community People, we have the power (by design) to improve laws.
Your donation will help people build the future they actually want. Through the genius of AI Supervised by Community People, we have the power (by design) to improve laws.
Build Green Now has a Plan.
In the words of Dr. Smart: "Build Green Now has a Plan." Our strategy establishes deep market connections starting in the Hudson Valley, then expands the hub-and-spoke model across all 62 New York counties.
Build Green Now is co-creating a hub-and-spoke approach where every high school, BOCES, CUNY, SUNY—with Cornell and RPI at the core—open their existing labs and facilities for citizen scientists to do their best work. This is the Eco Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center Model that BGN recommended to Ulster County Legislators, starting in 2022.
Through collaboration, we can increase affordable housing and create warming/cooling centers in every county within 3 years if we work together. As we engage community leaders from NYC to Buffalo, our role is to build consensus for growing markets that benefit many.
Build Green Now is co-creating a hub-and-spoke approach where every high school, BOCES, CUNY, SUNY—with Cornell and RPI at the core—open their existing labs and facilities for citizen scientists to do their best work. This is the Eco Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center Model that BGN recommended to Ulster County Legislators, starting in 2022.
Through collaboration, we can increase affordable housing and create warming/cooling centers in every county within 3 years if we work together. As we engage community leaders from NYC to Buffalo, our role is to build consensus for growing markets that benefit many.
Our Proof of work
We practice what we preach and have become the change we wish to see. Please join in - if you see a better plan, let us know so we can collaborate with them. Also donate today and share this page with friends who care about creating a better tomorrow faster.
In 2019 we pioneered New York States first hemp-lime retrofit and establish the start of what would become the New York State Industrial Hemp Community Working Group, building relationship with leaders and legislators.
In 2022, as President and Certifications Director of the U.S. Hemp Building Association (USHBA), Henry Gage Jr. and Sally Warren, Ph.D. joined forces with Executive Director Jacob Waddell and an international team to successfully advocate for the inclusion of hemp-lime in the International Code Council's (ICC) Residential Building Code, leading to its adoption in 2024. Recognizing the need to efficiently promote these standards across over 3,000 U.S. counties, Henry left the USHBA Board of Directors in 2023 to focus on a solution by utilizing his expertise as an algorithm designer to develop a comprehensive roadmap.
Currently, we are collaborating with 15 organizations to develop a Train-the-Trainer model aimed at empowering local communities to address their unique challenges through scientific approaches. Our collaboration partners include the Multi-Craft Apprenticeship Preparation Program (M.A.P.P.), State University of New York (SUNY) Buffalo, the College of Architects and Landscape Architects of Puerto Rico, the University of Puerto Rico School of Architecture in San Juan, Cornell University School of Agriculture Science and the USHBA.
This grassroots initiative focuses on equipping local teams with the skills to teach hemp related best practices that include cultivation, processing, construction, climate zone based building science and updates to county and building codes necessary to streamline implementation projects.
We value your input to identify potential partners and prioritize our efforts. Please see the survey, review our list of collaborators and share your thoughts. Our work is for Public Benefit. Your generous donations support this work.
In 2019 we pioneered New York States first hemp-lime retrofit and establish the start of what would become the New York State Industrial Hemp Community Working Group, building relationship with leaders and legislators.
In 2022, as President and Certifications Director of the U.S. Hemp Building Association (USHBA), Henry Gage Jr. and Sally Warren, Ph.D. joined forces with Executive Director Jacob Waddell and an international team to successfully advocate for the inclusion of hemp-lime in the International Code Council's (ICC) Residential Building Code, leading to its adoption in 2024. Recognizing the need to efficiently promote these standards across over 3,000 U.S. counties, Henry left the USHBA Board of Directors in 2023 to focus on a solution by utilizing his expertise as an algorithm designer to develop a comprehensive roadmap.
Currently, we are collaborating with 15 organizations to develop a Train-the-Trainer model aimed at empowering local communities to address their unique challenges through scientific approaches. Our collaboration partners include the Multi-Craft Apprenticeship Preparation Program (M.A.P.P.), State University of New York (SUNY) Buffalo, the College of Architects and Landscape Architects of Puerto Rico, the University of Puerto Rico School of Architecture in San Juan, Cornell University School of Agriculture Science and the USHBA.
This grassroots initiative focuses on equipping local teams with the skills to teach hemp related best practices that include cultivation, processing, construction, climate zone based building science and updates to county and building codes necessary to streamline implementation projects.
We value your input to identify potential partners and prioritize our efforts. Please see the survey, review our list of collaborators and share your thoughts. Our work is for Public Benefit. Your generous donations support this work.
Industrial Hemp insulation
Carbon Storage: Hempcrete insulation stores significant carbon within structures like walls, supporting a carbon credit market. Industrial hemp captures 1.2 to 3.6 metric tons of CO2 per acre annually. Climate solutions have risks; unregulated spray foam insulation in NYS could cause 225 million tons of damage, while Hempcrete insulation could achieve 7 million tons of benefits.
Expert Training: Build Green Now offer NYS's first hempcrete training classes, provided complementary market updates to the Ulster County Legislators and State Legislators, led NYS's first Hemp-Lime retrofit and contributed to integrating it into the International Building Code as President and Certification Director for the US Hemp Building Association.
As the first NYS team trained in spray-applied Hemp-Lime, we provide training for municipal leaders, including building and fire safety, architects, and contractors, ensuring efficient and safe implementation.
Expert Training: Build Green Now offer NYS's first hempcrete training classes, provided complementary market updates to the Ulster County Legislators and State Legislators, led NYS's first Hemp-Lime retrofit and contributed to integrating it into the International Building Code as President and Certification Director for the US Hemp Building Association.
As the first NYS team trained in spray-applied Hemp-Lime, we provide training for municipal leaders, including building and fire safety, architects, and contractors, ensuring efficient and safe implementation.
Insulate Upstate: We're collaborating with community leaders to create insulation plans for community buildings. Albany released some funds to M.A.A.P.. We might start commercial insulation in 2024.
Hemp Farming
Our partnership with Cornell University and SUNY Morrisville provides farmers with essential research, science, and technical assistance for successful hemp farming and climate change adaptation. Cornell’s renowned agricultural expertise ensures you have access to the latest innovations and techniques to optimize your hemp cultivation. SUNY Morrisville's extensive experience with growing hemp provides invaluable insights.
Cover Crops: Starting with a cover crop is an excellent entry point for fall/winter 2024, laying the foundation for soil preparation and the development of local supply chain support services. We help farmers receive up to $82/acre for dual species cover crops after demonstrating that growth has progressed to about 80% (approximately 3-5 weeks) as proof of cultivar viability. Cover crops are essential for soil health and sustainability, enriching the soil and preparing it for future hemp cultivation. For more details, visit UCSWCD or, if you are in NYS, call (845) 883-7162.
Hemp Cultivars: There are many different hemp cultivars, each suited for specific climate and soil conditions. For example, some cultivars may not make it to seed if the weather turns cold too soon. Through our extensive network of universities and experts, we assist farmers with Industrial Hemp cultivar selection and planning, ensuring you choose the best varieties for your environment.
Choosing the right cultivar for your specific climate and soil conditions greatly enhances the chances of a successful hemp harvest.
Hemp Processing: Coordinating the timing for growing hemp with establishing local processing facilities is essential for optimizing the supply chain and reducing costs. Local processing minimizes long-distance transportation, preserving hemp quality and maximizing value.
Hemp Cultivars: There are many different hemp cultivars, each suited for specific climate and soil conditions. For example, some cultivars may not make it to seed if the weather turns cold too soon. Through our extensive network of universities and experts, we assist farmers with Industrial Hemp cultivar selection and planning, ensuring you choose the best varieties for your environment.
Choosing the right cultivar for your specific climate and soil conditions greatly enhances the chances of a successful hemp harvest.
Hemp Processing: Coordinating the timing for growing hemp with establishing local processing facilities is essential for optimizing the supply chain and reducing costs. Local processing minimizes long-distance transportation, preserving hemp quality and maximizing value.
Why Choose Build Green Now?
After 5 years of Research and Development, Build Green Now is establishing the Hemp-Lime Retrofit Guild to empower local teams and build a resilient foundation for the bio-based economy. Starting in our home state of New York, we are creating a network of municipal demonstration nodes and training centers where local teams provide hands-on education and lived-in experiences. This Guild-centered approach forms the beginning of a local products and services supply chain and provides a shareable blueprint that enables state leadership teams across the country to lead their own regional transformations by leveraging expert guidance.
Published Work, Sustainability Education and Action (Palgrave 2024).
Hempcrete has Zero Forever Chemicals and Does Not Burn!
This initiative goes beyond industrial hemp insulation; it sets the stage for exponential progress!
If NYS Insulates 2M homes with Industrial Hemp by 2030 - NYS Sequesters 7M Tons of CO2!
We are creating "A Future to Believe In" by getting every county building inspector and all first responder county captains trained in less than 3 years
Informed Decisions: Access to state-of-the-art best practices is invaluable for making critical decisions in response to new information and climate change realities. Our expertise and resources ensure you are equipped with the latest knowledge and techniques to adapt and thrive in the evolving agricultural landscape. With unique experience from our pilot projects in New York State and Puerto Rico, we are uniquely qualified to offer specialized services. By collaborating with Build Green Now, you join a transformative movement in progressive policy, regenerative agriculture, and green building, armed with the tools and support needed to excel in the emerging industrial hemp market. Together, we can cultivate a greener future.
Strategic Partnerships: Our collaboration with Cornell Ag and Markets, SUNY Morrisville Ag, and other leading institutions provides you with unparalleled access to resources and expertise. These partnerships ensure that you benefit from cutting-edge research and practical guidance tailored to the development of the industrial hemp market, including farming, processing, and sales of hemp products such as hurd for insulation and fiber for textiles.
Legislative Experience: With extensive experience working with legislators and policymakers, we help shape a favorable regulatory environment for hemp farming and processing. Our efforts ensure that the industrial hemp market is supported by robust policies that facilitate growth and sustainability.
Community Collaboration: We excel in fostering strong relationships with community leaders, ensuring that your hemp initiatives are supported at every level. This collaborative approach ensures that local communities benefit from the economic opportunities created by the hemp industry.
Senior Project Management: Clients gain access to senior project management with unmatched experience in the industry. Our experts guide your projects, from hemp farming to processing and market development, ensuring a connected and efficient supply chain.
Build Green Now founded the NYS Hemp Fiber Community Working Group to help all of New York State accelerate CO2 sequestration initiatives through industrial hemp. We invite you to apply our knowledge and experience in your community. Please contact us if we can assist you in moving forward.
As a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing our expertise widely, at cost, we only request verifiable community benefits. You can find our schedule on the events page.
Hempcrete has Zero Forever Chemicals and Does Not Burn!
This initiative goes beyond industrial hemp insulation; it sets the stage for exponential progress!
If NYS Insulates 2M homes with Industrial Hemp by 2030 - NYS Sequesters 7M Tons of CO2!
We are creating "A Future to Believe In" by getting every county building inspector and all first responder county captains trained in less than 3 years
Informed Decisions: Access to state-of-the-art best practices is invaluable for making critical decisions in response to new information and climate change realities. Our expertise and resources ensure you are equipped with the latest knowledge and techniques to adapt and thrive in the evolving agricultural landscape. With unique experience from our pilot projects in New York State and Puerto Rico, we are uniquely qualified to offer specialized services. By collaborating with Build Green Now, you join a transformative movement in progressive policy, regenerative agriculture, and green building, armed with the tools and support needed to excel in the emerging industrial hemp market. Together, we can cultivate a greener future.
Strategic Partnerships: Our collaboration with Cornell Ag and Markets, SUNY Morrisville Ag, and other leading institutions provides you with unparalleled access to resources and expertise. These partnerships ensure that you benefit from cutting-edge research and practical guidance tailored to the development of the industrial hemp market, including farming, processing, and sales of hemp products such as hurd for insulation and fiber for textiles.
Legislative Experience: With extensive experience working with legislators and policymakers, we help shape a favorable regulatory environment for hemp farming and processing. Our efforts ensure that the industrial hemp market is supported by robust policies that facilitate growth and sustainability.
Community Collaboration: We excel in fostering strong relationships with community leaders, ensuring that your hemp initiatives are supported at every level. This collaborative approach ensures that local communities benefit from the economic opportunities created by the hemp industry.
Senior Project Management: Clients gain access to senior project management with unmatched experience in the industry. Our experts guide your projects, from hemp farming to processing and market development, ensuring a connected and efficient supply chain.
Build Green Now founded the NYS Hemp Fiber Community Working Group to help all of New York State accelerate CO2 sequestration initiatives through industrial hemp. We invite you to apply our knowledge and experience in your community. Please contact us if we can assist you in moving forward.
As a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing our expertise widely, at cost, we only request verifiable community benefits. You can find our schedule on the events page.
Rooted in New York, Built for Every Community
Collaboration Engineering
Build Green Now applies collaboration engineering to improve life in Communities Disproportionately Impacted (CDIs). We design systems tailored to CDI needs, develop technologies that address local challenges, and deploy sustainable infrastructure.
Our approach facilitates partnerships between community leaders, experts, and stakeholders, implementing data-driven solutions for environmental and social issues.
By combining technical expertise with community engagement, we ensure our solutions are both effective and culturally appropriate.
Our approach facilitates partnerships between community leaders, experts, and stakeholders, implementing data-driven solutions for environmental and social issues.
By combining technical expertise with community engagement, we ensure our solutions are both effective and culturally appropriate.
Declaration of Sustainability
PROGRESSIVES / GENERATION Z LEADERSHIP
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We encourage collaboration with Student Body leaders and local partnerships. Contact us to discuss speaking engagements and education event planning
Planning now sets the stage for initiatives we can develop through collaboration, leading to statewide opportunities and community impact. We're eager to engage with college students and share our insights. Contact us about bringing our message to your campus. |
We welcome invitations to speak at college events. Your involvement in student government can influence fund allocation towards impactful sustainability organizations.
During Build Green Now's 2024 "Tell Me What You Mean by Green" visit to SUNY New Paltz, we joined with Multicultural United Students Empowered (SUNY New Paltz) Students to view this deck and offer solutions based on decades of experience, plus our experience leading Industrial Hemp policy and funding innovation in New York State.
During Build Green Now's 2024 "Tell Me What You Mean by Green" visit to SUNY New Paltz, we joined with Multicultural United Students Empowered (SUNY New Paltz) Students to view this deck and offer solutions based on decades of experience, plus our experience leading Industrial Hemp policy and funding innovation in New York State.
TELL ME WHAT YOU MEAN BY GREEN!
In this letter to legislators we explain why now is the time for a NYS outreach and engagement bus tour focused on sustainability solutions for everyone. To join the movement, fill this form: Interest List
BUILD GREEN NOW #BGN - 2024-02-24 UPDATE:
By gathering information, we can highlight what's important to you, our community, and what you want to see happen next. For instance, we believe that all SUNY campuses and other institutions funded by you the taxpayers, should open their lab spaces to us, the public.
Right now, there's a lot of equipment paid for by our taxpayer money that's not being used, and yet these universities and institutions keep asking for more funds. We think this money should go to community leaders instead.
Numbers make a difference, your support is crucial in urging lawmakers and county executives to amend the laws, making meaningful changes that will benefit our community. Together, we can make a compelling case for the reallocation of resources and open up new opportunities for public access and innovation. Let's unite our voices to advocate for transformation that directly impacts and improves our lives.
Right now, there's a lot of equipment paid for by our taxpayer money that's not being used, and yet these universities and institutions keep asking for more funds. We think this money should go to community leaders instead.
Numbers make a difference, your support is crucial in urging lawmakers and county executives to amend the laws, making meaningful changes that will benefit our community. Together, we can make a compelling case for the reallocation of resources and open up new opportunities for public access and innovation. Let's unite our voices to advocate for transformation that directly impacts and improves our lives.
Build Green Now #BGN - 2023-09-29 Update:
Cornell Hemp Field Day:
How did your garden grow this year? Living in farm country one gets closer to the cycle of the seasons. Industrial Hemp Harvest time is upon us. In this update we have some exciting content from “Cornell Hemp Field Day”. During this update we are sharing pictures from the event. Once we get budget approval, we will hire resources to process the video and audio content into a format that is easier to consume while in the field and or away from a computer screen.
How did your garden grow this year? Living in farm country one gets closer to the cycle of the seasons. Industrial Hemp Harvest time is upon us. In this update we have some exciting content from “Cornell Hemp Field Day”. During this update we are sharing pictures from the event. Once we get budget approval, we will hire resources to process the video and audio content into a format that is easier to consume while in the field and or away from a computer screen.
2023-03-31 Update (revised 2023-09-29):
Eco Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center - iPark 87 Ulster County
Good news! We have a sponsor for a resolution to open an Eco Entrepreneurship Center at the iPark 87 location. Even better, the Unfettered Arts team is part of this proposal.
Imagine a workshop that includes industry tools plus a team focused on innovation using regenerative materials like Industrial Hemp.
Revised 2023-09-29:
With a change in leadership of the Ulster County Economic Development team, we have been standing by. This week we have reconnected and plan to restart communications next week. We are working on a 3 years multi-million dollar budget to help stand up the industrial hemp industry in the County. Seems like a good investment and that we must protect our farmers from most of these start up risks. This means we need to advocate for subsidies just like any new industry.
Eco Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center - iPark 87 Ulster County
Good news! We have a sponsor for a resolution to open an Eco Entrepreneurship Center at the iPark 87 location. Even better, the Unfettered Arts team is part of this proposal.
Imagine a workshop that includes industry tools plus a team focused on innovation using regenerative materials like Industrial Hemp.
Revised 2023-09-29:
With a change in leadership of the Ulster County Economic Development team, we have been standing by. This week we have reconnected and plan to restart communications next week. We are working on a 3 years multi-million dollar budget to help stand up the industrial hemp industry in the County. Seems like a good investment and that we must protect our farmers from most of these start up risks. This means we need to advocate for subsidies just like any new industry.
2023-03-21 Update: Ulster County Legislative Meeting
Join us Tuesday, March 21, 2023 for the Ulster County Legislative meeting at the county building, to hear requests to the county legislators.
Legislators are finalizing the State budget. Let's ask for funding to accelerate investments in local workforce development to prepare and train our communities so we can design, test and refine solutions that save energy/time.
(Location: 244 Fair St. Kingston on the 6th floor, in the Legislative Chambers
Via Zoom: Meeting ID:831 8403 3102, dial in (646) 558-8556 7:20pm).
Join us Tuesday, March 21, 2023 for the Ulster County Legislative meeting at the county building, to hear requests to the county legislators.
Legislators are finalizing the State budget. Let's ask for funding to accelerate investments in local workforce development to prepare and train our communities so we can design, test and refine solutions that save energy/time.
(Location: 244 Fair St. Kingston on the 6th floor, in the Legislative Chambers
Via Zoom: Meeting ID:831 8403 3102, dial in (646) 558-8556 7:20pm).
#BGN News 2023-03-01a - Presentation to the Ulster County Legislators
Here is a summary, download the files below for details:
- Project Management Services - Pathway to Accountability
- Prepare the Response to Executive Order 01-2023
- New York Hemp Insulation (Sell/Tax) - Before and After
- New York Hemp-Lime Products - Develop, Sell and Tax
- Cross-Silo Review of RFPs - More Local Funding
| ce_metzger_executive_order_1_-_climate.pdf |
Eco-Entrepreneurship Roadmap (2022-12-12)
In 2023 our collaboration partners are: Energy Conservation Services, Inc., GreenWay, Nubian Directions, Unfettered Arts, Seed Song Farm, and St. Mark’s AME Church (w/ Cho Shields Studio).
As part of our collaboration, we work with Sustainable Hudson Valley to define goals and missions that are mutually beneficial. We look forward to further developments as they apply for the Mosaic RFP. Our mission is strengthening the workstreams described below.
Our letter of support for the Mosaic RFP is provided below.
Eco-Entrepreneurship Workstreams:
I. Regional Training Collaboration
II. Eco-Entrepreneurship - Money Saving Services
III. Eco-Entrepreneurship - Project Management and Placement Services
In 2023 our collaboration partners are: Energy Conservation Services, Inc., GreenWay, Nubian Directions, Unfettered Arts, Seed Song Farm, and St. Mark’s AME Church (w/ Cho Shields Studio).
As part of our collaboration, we work with Sustainable Hudson Valley to define goals and missions that are mutually beneficial. We look forward to further developments as they apply for the Mosaic RFP. Our mission is strengthening the workstreams described below.
Our letter of support for the Mosaic RFP is provided below.
Eco-Entrepreneurship Workstreams:
I. Regional Training Collaboration
- Offer Hemp House #1 - New York as a training lab to study Hemp-Lime Thermal Design Considerations
- Continue work toward BGN Fund I, a $500K pool used to finance Eco_House #1.
- Co-create a "Regenerative Technology" Certificate Program (combining electrical, PV Solar-Battery, building sciences, construction content used by SUNY Ulster)
- Co-design the "Regenerative Technology" Certificate Program in collaboration with Nubian Directions, SUNY Ulster, SUNY Dutchess, SUNY New Paltz, Youth Build Kingston and Youth Build Poughkeepsie. The goal include ease of access, affordability recognition by employers/colleges.
- Work with Ulster Legislators and Dutchess Legislators to allocate funding for equipment, startup costs, student stipends and expenses (like travel) as approved by a project budget. The goal includes providing structure and accountability to work that is already needed across multiple departments and towns.
II. Eco-Entrepreneurship - Money Saving Services
- Create a learning experience focused on starting a business and encourage the students to pick one. The goal is to create customized experiences that help accelerate learning.
- Create 3 student let project teams (Audit Services and PV Solar-Battery and Eco Food Services). Work with each team to create basic planning and communication documents
- Perform at least one energy audit, design an energy/insulation solution and design 1 Eco Food solutions. In this case our goal is to test an implementation of Greenway's Zero Waste solution.
III. Eco-Entrepreneurship - Project Management and Placement Services
- In collaboration with Sustainable Hudson Valley, create project launch documents for all three projects (Statement of Work, Schedule, Budget, Resource Plan, Governance Documents etc.)
- Create educational experiences for the community based on the projects
- Create an investment pool to support a project launch process for students and the community
- Host a Project Launch Event where we arrange for investors to hear the pitches and then rank them (ranking determines funding from the pool that we pre announce
- Complete the Solar Apprenticeship Program Application to the US Department of Labor
- Offer PV Solar-Battery Project Management Services to Ulster County
- Design and launch a jobs board to support creation of job placement plans
- Strengthen the local tech economy by supporting a local technology development student team (AI and Metaverse and Metrics Presentation Services)
Introduction:
Build Green Now built New York’s first hempcrete retrofit, in the city of Kingston. As leading national advocates for industrial hemp, we are focused on creating jobs and opportunities, while building the supply chain for industrial hemp in our region.
Course Description:
Hempcrete 202 is designed for those interested in using hempcrete as a potential solution to damp and mold. We are the first team in New York to retrofit an existing house using hempcrete as insulation and will show you several different wall finishes as we tour the hemp house.
Your training covers the science behind hemp-lime insulation, moisture absorption/diffusion, thermal mass and humidity equilibrium.
Within the presentations we discuss integrating hemp-lime into designs, building code, electrical wiring, HVAC consideration, plumbing details, wall finishing alternatives, the build process, costs and the material supply chain.
This course includes mixing hempcrete and installation of hempcrete into a wall assembly.
The Instructors:
Henry Gage, Jr. and Sally Warren, PhD are members of the team that presented the hemp-lime appendix to the International Code Council (ICC) in April of 2022, leading to approval as a building material for residential construction (announced in September 2022).
Sally is a board certified Naturopath and a research Analyst for Build Green Now.
Henry is a Senior Project Manager for Build Green Now and President of the US Hemp Building Association.
Build Green Now built New York’s first hempcrete retrofit, in the city of Kingston. As leading national advocates for industrial hemp, we are focused on creating jobs and opportunities, while building the supply chain for industrial hemp in our region.
Course Description:
Hempcrete 202 is designed for those interested in using hempcrete as a potential solution to damp and mold. We are the first team in New York to retrofit an existing house using hempcrete as insulation and will show you several different wall finishes as we tour the hemp house.
Your training covers the science behind hemp-lime insulation, moisture absorption/diffusion, thermal mass and humidity equilibrium.
Within the presentations we discuss integrating hemp-lime into designs, building code, electrical wiring, HVAC consideration, plumbing details, wall finishing alternatives, the build process, costs and the material supply chain.
This course includes mixing hempcrete and installation of hempcrete into a wall assembly.
The Instructors:
Henry Gage, Jr. and Sally Warren, PhD are members of the team that presented the hemp-lime appendix to the International Code Council (ICC) in April of 2022, leading to approval as a building material for residential construction (announced in September 2022).
Sally is a board certified Naturopath and a research Analyst for Build Green Now.
Henry is a Senior Project Manager for Build Green Now and President of the US Hemp Building Association.
Introduction:
Build Green Now built New York’s first hempcrete retrofit, in the city of Kingston. As leading national advocates for industrial hemp, we are focused on creating jobs and opportunities, while building the supply chain for industrial hemp in our region.
Apply to Join a Build Green Now Project Team - Click Here
Build Green Now built New York’s first hempcrete retrofit, in the city of Kingston. As leading national advocates for industrial hemp, we are focused on creating jobs and opportunities, while building the supply chain for industrial hemp in our region.
Apply to Join a Build Green Now Project Team - Click Here
June 2022 - Create News in your community with these messages:
- Conversations - Click Here for Details
- Liberate Hemp - Click Here for Details
- Buy Hemp Now! - Click Here for Details
Learn to show your elected leaders how they can "Buy Hemp Now". They will thank you for collaborating.
In the News:
- NEASDA Industrial Hemp Research Collaboration - Proposal
June 13, 2022 we delivered an open letter to commissioners of agriculture and markets for 10 states on the east coast. A key takeaway is that they are listening. Below is a link to the letter and 5 step plan. Please share this with your teams. Then register your opinion and support.
- Unity Walk 2022, Bring Hemp to The People - Click Here for Details
- Hemp House #1 meets Jersey City Unity Walk - Click Here for Facebook Page
- Spray applied hempcrete solutions are available - see below. Join the news letter to receive a summary.
- NYS Hemp Fiber and Grain Workgroup: On April 13, 2022 the the group held a meeting and discussed cultivars, early research finding, decortication innovations and plans to support farmers and innovators in NY. The next meeting is planned for July. Join the news letter to receive a summary.
ICC Testimonial - Henry
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ICC Testimonial - Sally
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Build Green Now, founded by Henry Gage, Jr. and Sally Warren, PhD, is an Industrial Hemp focused collaboration in Kingston, NY providing research, analysis, and education to strengthen the US Industrial Hemp market.
In a spirit of collaboration we have decided that now is the time for action. Today is the day we accelerate making a difference as we lengthen our strides toward a resilient and renewable economy.
My family has a legacy of community service including starting the African American Community Service Agency in San Jose California over 30 years ago. More recently I've donated over 10,000 hours to the community in Jersey City as project manager for the Unity Walk.
In a spirit of collaboration we have decided that now is the time for action. Today is the day we accelerate making a difference as we lengthen our strides toward a resilient and renewable economy.
My family has a legacy of community service including starting the African American Community Service Agency in San Jose California over 30 years ago. More recently I've donated over 10,000 hours to the community in Jersey City as project manager for the Unity Walk.
Downloads:
| neasda_industrial_hemp_collaboration_-_proposal_ver_3.pdf |
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