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News, Newsletter

New oils & creams by Hemp Collective gaining rave reviews!

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Hemp Collective Face Serum Glow & Calm Face Serum Most recent customer review: I’ve been using the Glow & Calm Serum and Botanic Glow Face Oil for just over a week, and my skin has never looked better. I have cystic acne, combination dry skin, and I’m in my 40s—so most acne products aren’t quite right for me. After the first serum application, my skin looked amazing, and even my partner noticed. That night, a painful cyst started forming, but by morning it had almost vanished, my skin felt soft, and a stubborn dry patch on my cheek had disappeared. Over the next few days, more dry patches cleared, revealing calm, healthy skin instead of the usual irritation. I alternated between the serum and oil, both of which glide on beautifully and smell incredible. I’d feared oil might cause breakouts, but instead it reduced inflammation, soothed dryness, and left my skin silky smooth—something I’ve never experienced before. After nearly two weeks, I tried my old moisturiser again. The next day, I had two cysts, an erupted pimple, enlarged pores, and that awful dry-yet-greasy feeling. Why go back when your products give me truly amazing skin? These facial products are an absolute winner—hugely impressed!” Verified Customer – Mel Visit Hemp Collective.

Building, News, Newsletter

Rethinking the Future of Australian Homes with Prefabricated Hemp SIPs

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Written by Amanda Marsh | Co-Founder, Otetto® August 2025 As someone deeply invested in creating sustainable, high-performing homes, I’ve become increasingly aware of a hard truth: the built environment accounts for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions. It’s clear that if we want to create a climate-resilient future, the way we design and construct our homes must change—and fast. That’s where Otetto comes in. At Otetto®, we’re proud to be pioneering the use of hemp in residential construction across Australia. Our mission is to reimagine how homes are designed, built, and lived in—by making healthy, climate-resilient housing more accessible and achievable for all Australians. We’ve developed Living Canvas®, a prefabricated hempcrete wall system designed to integrate regenerative materials into everyday building projects. As builders and designers ourselves, we knew the barriers—hemp has often been seen as niche, labour-intensive, or experimental. Our goal was to remove those barriers and prove that hemp not only belongs in the mainstream but can outperform traditional materials in comfort, health, and sustainability. Fast-growing, fire-resistant, and naturally insulative, hemp requires no synthetic inputs and supports the creation of healthier, more energy-efficient homes. But for us, it’s not just about the material—it’s about the system. We’ve developed a modular approach that allows for faster delivery, greater precision, and significantly less waste. This system empowers architects, builders, and homeowners to confidently incorporate hemp into their projects without compromising on design or performance. Our Living Canvas Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are made from locally grown Australian hemp and include wall, floor, and roof cassettes—offering a full building envelope that regulates heat and moisture, while also meeting high bushfire performance ratings and achieving a 7-star NatHERS energy rating. Looking beyond materials, we’re also passionate about changing how Australians think about homebuilding. We’ve launched two architecturally designed off-the-plan homes—Corymbia and Mulloway—to showcase what’s possible when you pair regenerative materials with thoughtful design. Created in collaboration with award-winning architects, these homes reflect our belief that beautiful, high-performance homes can also be accessible, sustainable, and built for the future. Mulloway House Renders: Choi Render Mulloway House Renders: Choi Render (Living Canvas SIPs): Photo by: Gary Parker (Living Canvas SIPs- Crane): Photo by: Otetto

5 people standing in a crop of hemp.
News, Newsletter

A hemp industry update from the Tassie Hemp Co

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By Tim Schmidt | August 2025 Tasmania is now re-emerging as the powerhouse of hemp seed for food production in Australia.  The massive stockpile from 5 years ago has disappeared and there is now a national shortage.  The 2024 harvest was from a mere 34ha of hemp seed food crops, being the lowest area since 2017, the 2025 harvest jumped to 300ha and still that was not enough.  The new season coming up, is forecast to be greater than 300ha. An urgent issue for the hemp seed food industry is the expiring of the spray permit for bromoxynil, an essential broadleaf herbicide which is required to help maintain profitable yields.  Without this tool for production, the industry will quickly fold.  This permit will expire early next year, so next year’s planting is at risk, we can only hope that the AHC will be successful in requesting an extension for the permit until work undertaken by Agrifutures produces the data required for the longer term permitted use of bromoxynil. The Tassie Hemp Co is looking to work with local wine producers and the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture in running hemp mulch trials to show the beneficial impact on production and quality of wines using hemp mulch.  There had been work conducted here 20 years ago on hemp mulch for pink lady apples which showed a distinct improvement in fruit quality, we hope to show the same for Tasmanian wines. We are very fortunate to have Hemp Harvest processing our hemp seed here near Deloraine, they have been perfecting their processes and are producing above average yield results, which is an important improvement on our industry viability in Tasmania. Checking out the crop. L- R: Tim Schmidt, Phil & Kiley Warner, Arthur Wajs and Tim Crow. Stephanie Cameron, Tim Schmidt and Senator Richard Colebeck in Tim’s last season crop.

News, Newsletter, Rural Supplies

Winter Dryland Hemp Trials Steal the Show

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By John Muir, Agronomist | August 2025 The  iHemp NSW Field Trip on September 11, 2024, visited the University of Sydney’s Narrabri Research Station and a cotton farm in Moree as part of the annual winter crop field day. Among the many crops on display, hemp emerged as a standout feature for the 300 guests in both field observations and presentations. Included in one of Narrabri’s many alternate winter species dryland cover crop projects, hemp had been sown in addition to the AgriFutures summer sown irrigated crop variety trials. Traditionally a summer crop, hemp often struggles to establish in high air/soil summer temperatures. Recognising this, Professor Guy Roth, Director of Northern Agriculture from the Sydney Institute of Agriculture, extended sowing dates into winter – and the results were surprising.As part of the broader winter green manure /cover cropping program preceding dryland summer cotton, the trial featured a mix of cereals, brassicas, legumes, and hemp. All crops were sown no-till, into 5 tonnes per hectare of wheat stubble on June 22. Around three months later, on September 11 – following a frosty winter – the field day showcased an unexpected standout leader: hemp. By 60 days after sowing, the HFA Ruby variety had reached mid-flowering, stood approximately 0.75 meters tall, and had achieved an estimated biomass of 3 tonnes per hectare. Hemp’s frost tolerance in its vegetative stage proved advantageous. As long as flowering occurs after the winter frost, hemp can fill and finish, just like a winter crops, into spring and completing grain fill before the hot, dry summer sets in. The trial yielded over 500 kg/ha of grain, despite a significant portion of seed shattering prior to harvest. Like canola, hemp is indeterminate and tends to have uneven maturity, making timely harvest critical. Even with some losses, at a market price of $3,000 per tonne, the return equated to approximately $1,500/ha. This result is just the beginning. With further improvements in genetics, agronomy, and environmental understanding, the potential for winter-sown hemp in southern Australia is immense. And new trials are already in this year including dryland winter commercial crops in NSW to South Australia. Further Information: For additional insights, refer to the April 2024 extract of a presentation at Australian Industrial Hemp Conference, written by John Muir, Polish breeder of Henola and Don Telfer DPIRD WA, and AgriFutures Knowledge Hub.

News, Newsletter

Hemp & the power of perseverance

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Written by Connie Minos | August 2025 EO, iHemp NSW | Director, Ashford Hemp Industries     The picture (left) may resonate with many of our readers who have experienced drought and hardship on the land.  In 2020, Lonnie and I went to the aid of a farmer friend who needed cattle put down due to ongoing drought.  It was a traumatic time.  On one of our heart wrenching visits two of the cows unable to stand showed signs of being close to calving.  After euthanising the cows Lonnie quickly proceeded to remove the unborn calves.  One of the two calves born on the side of a dry dam next to her deceased mother, survived.  With low expectations after such a difficult welcome to life we took the calf home.  It wasn’t smooth sailing but after 8 months we ended up relocating the calf (Marmalade) to my brothers’ cattle farm near Yetman as her size and zest for life were becoming a bit much for me to manage as her surrogate mother.  My daughter Olivia and I just visited my brother and we checked on Marmalade and her third calf, both in pristine condition. Olivia is 19 now.  She was 15 when Marmalade was born.  She was two when Lonnie and I first entered the hemp industry in 2008.  Seventeen years ago. Marmalade is a reminder to me that even in the toughest of situations good things do happen, and it is worth persevering.  This has certainly been our experience in the Australian hemp industry.  Disappointingly Lonnie and I were unable to attend the Hemp Connect Forum in June.  It’s always a wonderful opportunity to engage with others passionate about hemp, whether we’ve known them for years or we become newly acquainted.  Thankfully we were able to watch the presentations online and I encourage others who were unable to attend the conference to review them.  For those who aren’t familiar with our business, our hemp processor is located in northwest NSW, close to the QLD border. The ingenious, beautiful, award-winning design of the University of Tasmanian Forestry and Timberyards redevelopment is inspirational to all, and we feel a strong sense of pride in knowing the hurd produced for that build came from a hemp processing machine we built and supplied to X-Hemp. The beautiful images and positive comments received from builders and homeowners after supplying over fifty homes and buildings throughout NSW and beyond encourage our continued perseverance in supplying the hemp building industry.  The regular and diverse range of alternative product options for bast, fines and hurd, who we send samples, give us hope for the future of the wider hemp industry. A small number of business owners within NSW and Australia continue to promote products from overseas while declaring their interest in promoting the Australian hemp industry.  Frustration from this fact is counteracted by the increasing engagement and action taken by the private sector and the government in the Australian Hemp Industry. As a member of iHemp NSW and the Australian Hemp Fibre Processing group, and as a small business in NSW, we have every intention of being in this industry for years to come.      

Manufacturers, News, Processors

Understanding Health Hazards in Hemp Processing

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By Dr Maggie Davidson MAIOH, Senior Lecturer, Environmental Health & Occupation Hygiene, School of Science, Western Sydney University. Farming is one of the most hazardous jobs. Farmers often live where they work, so there’s little time for rest — especially for their lungs. While accidents are common, long-term health risks from dust, noise, and chemicals often get overlooked. In hemp processing, dust and noise are big issues. But we still know very little about how much dust and noise are actually produced, or which tasks cause the most exposure. This information is important because it helps us find better ways to protect processors, farmers and workers and prevent serious health problems. Organic dust from hemp can cause serious lung issues. Inhaling a lot of dust can lead to: Airway irritation and allergies Byssinosis (“Monday morning fever”) Farmers’ lung (hypersensitivity pneumonitis) Chronic bronchitis What We Did From January to March 2025, we visited hemp processors to observe the work environment and measure dust and noise levels. We took dust samples from the air around workers during different jobs like loading machines, bagging products, cleaning, and maintenance. Dust particles we measured were tiny — less than one-tenth the width of a human hair — meaning they can easily reach deep into the lungs. Key Findings Dust levels peaked at 1.0 to 3.0 mg/m³ during dry sweeping and using air blowers. Loading hammer mills and decorticators produced 0.5 to 1.0 mg/m³ of dust. Safe Work Australia sets the exposure limit at 1.0 mg/m³ over an 8-hour shift. So, sweeping and blowing created dangerous levels. Some dust contained respirable silica, which can cause severe lung disease. Levels reached up to 0.045 mg/m³, close to the legal limit of 0.05 mg/m³. Biggest Risk Areas Loading hammer mills and decorticators Cleaning dust filtration systems Using blowers and dry sweeping What Needs to Change To protect workers: Stop using blowers and dry sweeping immediately — they create the most dust. Use wet cleaning methods and HEPA H-Class vacuums (AS/NZS 60335.2.69 standard). Apply the Hierarchy of Controls: Eliminate/Substitute: Only buy clean, quality hemp with no mould, dust, or contamination. Engineering/Isolation: Install barriers and dust extraction systems to trap dust before it spreads. Administrative Controls: Schedule regular cleaning and machine maintenance. Ban sweeping and air blowers. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Supply and train workers to properly use Class 2 or 3 respirators, fitted and tested for the right protection. Where to Find Help Safe Work Australia has excellent free resources: Managing Work Health and Safety Risks Managing Hazardous Chemicals Preventing Hearing Loss at Work What’s Next We are working with hemp processors to develop dust and noise management plans. We’ll revisit them in 2025–2026 to see how improvements are going and share updates at industry events later in 2025. Thank You A huge thanks to the farmers, businesses, and partners who welcomed us. Special thanks to the AIOH Foundation and Western Sydney University for funding this important work.    

Building, News

Hemp Building Directory

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Thinking about building with hemp? A good place to start is the Hemp Building Directory! Launched in July 2023 as a social enterprise, the Hemp Building Directory (HBD) connects people keen to build with hemp with the professionals who can make it happen. From designers and suppliers to builders and installers. Whether you’re looking to live in a hempcrete home, design one, or help build it, HBD is your go-to resource. Founded by tech savvy Jeremy Thomas and award-winning designer Kirstie Wulf, the directory is proving invaluable for those passionate about sustainability, performance building, and locking carbon into our built environment. HBD is highly active in the hemp building industry online and at live events. Jeremy and Kirstie regularly attend, speak at and document events, functions and conferences such as Building Smarter, Sydney Build and monthly People Plant Pint. HBD is proudly sponsoring the Hemp-Connect Forum in Melbourne, 25-27 June.   If you’re part of the iHemp community, the next step is simple: Head to hempbuilding.au for practical info, inspiring projects, and expert connections. And don’t forget to sign up for the monthly newsletter. It lands on the first Friday of every month, packed with the latest in hemp construction. If you’re in the industry get your free listing first before we connect about becoming a member and supporting our work.  Let’s grow the hemp building movement together.

Growers, News, Rural Supplies

Navigating Challenges in Hemp Farming

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By Connie Minos, iHemp NSW Executive Officer Director, Ashford Hemp Industries.  What a wet month we’ve had impacting on so many of us. It’s been a relief to hear that many farmers have been able to get their hemp crops harvested and off the field. I’m sure there are many others who weren’t so lucky. Over the last few months, I have spoken to a number of farmers either experienced in growing hemp or just considering hemp as an alternative crop option for soil regeneration and income diversification. For several years Ashford Hemp Industries have had challenges in meeting hurd orders due to a limited, quality supply of retted hemp. Thankfully this turned around for us over the past year and our production line has been working steadily. While the increase in the number of people growing, or wanting to grow hemp, is an encouraging sign in this industry, it does not come without a warning. While those of us in the know clearly understand the benefits of building with hemp, the harsh reality is there is a slump in the building industry and hemp building has not avoided costly delays and a reduction in new builds. To avoid damaging our hemp farming industry we must ensure that there is a clear understanding of where the market is at before choosing to take on hemp growing, which is neither cheap nor easy. Ideally, we can build up our farming network in coordination with processing facilities across the state, while simultaneously developing the building industry to ensure the quality of hemp is maintained, and that the supply chain keeps moving to the benefit of all players. As always, effective communication is the key, and accessing the supports available through iHemp NSW and other sources is a great place to start.

News, Past Events, Rural Supplies

Success with Hemp at the 2025 Sydney Royal Easter Show

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By Colin Steddy, Hemp Inside This year, I had the great privilege of joining Happy Soils (Andrew Meseha), Hexcore, and Why Not Consulting at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, thanks to an invitation from Duncan Kendall and the team at the Woolworths Discovery Centre. We bumped in on April 9, ready for gates to open on the 10th, and the energy was electric from day one — in fact, it was the biggest opening-day crowd in the show’s history. The Discovery Dome display stood out for all the right reasons. The entire fit-out — walls, tables, chairs, and cabinets — was crafted from ply board and furniture made by Hexcore using hemp materials. Hemp Gallery supplied beautiful hemp-made items, and I brought along hempcrete bricks, weed matting, samples of hurd and fibre, and hemp seed oil for sale. It was an honour to represent Hemp Inside and the broader Australian hemp industry. Public interest in hemp was strong and genuine. People came eager to share what they knew and to learn more — from curious newcomers to returning visitors tracking industry progress. Many asked, “Can I grow hemp on my land?” My answer was consistent: “We need to develop more markets and attract more investment to grow demand. Once that happens, we’ll be looking for more growers.” Andrew, Anastasia, their baby, and I were there every day — and yes, standing and talking non-stop for nearly two weeks was exhausting! But the support we received made it worthwhile. Visitors were enthusiastic, firemen stopped to see our display (including a video of the Hexcore house being tested in fire conditions), and Happy Soils customers shared encouraging results and plans to expand their use of the products. Media coverage? Disappointingly, not a single photo. But meaningful conversations made up for it — including promising follow-ups and exciting developments in the pipeline for Hexcore. I also had a valuable hour-long call with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, where I shared views on key obstacles holding back the industry: We must collaborate to build a strong, sustainable industry. The shift from the Office of Drug Control to the Department of Agriculture would unlock growth. It would create the policy certainty needed to attract serious investment. Right now, the perception that regulations could change overnight by the narcotics division scares off potential backers. Encouragingly, DPI is calling for industry submissions to help shape a stronger future. I urge everyone to contribute. One of the best compliments came from other exhibitors, who said the energy from our display was inspiring. Andrew’s love of music and fun made for a lively space — we even had a few dance moments with the crowd. The positivity was contagious. We bumped out on April 23 — a long stint on our feet, but a truly worthwhile experience. Big thanks to the Royal Agricultural Society, Duncan Kendall and his team, and our amazing crew: Andrew, Anastasia, Why Not Consulting, and Happy Soils. Let’s keep pushing forward. Cheers, Colin Steddy Hemp Inside  

outside a hempcrete build i
Building, News

Lithgow Women’s Shed in progress

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Hempcrete features in large public building construction of the Women’s Shed Construction of the Lithgow Women’s Shed has just reached an important milestone — completion of all its hempcrete walls. The finish is beautiful, and a big achievement given the record time in which the many volunteers (mostly women), were able to install the 40 cubic meters of hempcrete that cloak what will be a high-performance building. The volunteers were guided by an experienced team of carpenters working under Master Builder James Isaacs from Belubula Hemp Homes Pty Ltd. Arguably one of Australia’s most experienced hempcrete builders, James Isaacs has designed a unique system for formwork that enables large sections to be effortlessly lifted in minutes by a series of jacks that can be operated by one person. This innovative approach gives the building a superior high-end finish while at the same time saves many hours of labour, reducing the cost of hempcrete builds. ‘Years of sailing and handling rigging on small boats helped me to come up with the system,’ said James. ‘After the first couple of builds where the formwork was heavy at heights and difficult to manage, I thought to myself there must be an easier way. So I developed an interlocking slipform that simply raises the formboard when its full of hempcrete to the next level. With the right foresight, this can be achieved in minutes, reducing downtime of volunteer labour, enabling us to get through as many as 20 hempcrete mixes per day.’ The building will also be built to passivhaus standards as part of the vision for a building that breaks new ground. Building Designer Dick Clarke from Envirotecture has said ‘It’s the first commercial building in Australia built to these standards and we’re hoping it will set new standards for both the use of hempcrete and Passivhaus design.’ The building sits in a prime position at Lithgow Showground and will be one of the site visits on the itinerary for the Lithgow Hempcrete Hub Workshop planned for Friday 22 November.  Read more about the workshop here.

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