Building the Future: How Old Pueblo Hemp is Leading the Way in Sustainable Construction
Old Pueblo Hemp founder Micaela Machado poses with hemp blocks at the Tucson workshop. Photo courtesy Micaela Machado.
The Hemp Industry Trade Association of Arizona (HITA) is proud to support Old Pueblo Hemp Company as they continue to pioneer hemp-based construction and education right here in Arizona. This March, founder Micaela Machado and her team are hosting a three-day Hemp Building Workshop in Tucson, Arizona, bringing together experts, enthusiasts, and innovators to explore hempcrete and sustainable building practices.
This event is more than just a workshop—it's a rallying call to grow Arizona’s hemp industry. As we push for greater adoption of hemp materials in construction, this is an opportunity to learn, connect, and take part in shaping the future of sustainable building.
The Hemp Building Workshop – March 28-30, 2025
This hands-on workshop will run daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM MST, featuring expert discussions, live demonstrations, and even a hemp fashion show. It’s a chance to see, touch, and work with hemp-lime (hempcrete) a material that is fire-resistant, mold-resistant, and incredibly energy-efficient.
Featured Speakers & Special Guests
Micaela Machado – Founder of Old Pueblo Hemp Company, leading the charge for hemp education and construction in Arizona
Kori Farmer – Sustainable building expert and advocate
Sergiy (Dr. Hemp House) – Hemp-lime building expert
Lawrence Serbin – President of Hemp Traders, one of the largest suppliers of industrial hemp materials in the U.S.
Lucas Evans – Founder of E3 AG, bringing sustainable agriculture to the hemp industry
Alejandra Diaz – Hemp Fortex, sustainable hemp textiles expert
A screening of “The Green Buffalo” with members of the Lower Sioux Tribe
Families are encouraged to attend, with discounted rates available for children.
Meet Micaela Machado: Arizona’s Leader in Hemp Construction
At the forefront of hemp-based sustainable construction in Arizona is Micaela Machado, the passionate founder of Old Pueblo Hemp Company.
Micaela isn’t just talking about the future of hemp—she’s building it. Through education, hands-on training, and real-world applications, she is proving that hemp-lime can be a game-changer for the construction industry.
Recently, Micaela partnered with the University of Arizona and the Tucson Unified School District on a groundbreaking project at the Cooper Center for Environmental Learning. Her team is applying hemp-lime insulation to six cabins, demonstrating how hemp can create safer, more energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly buildings.
📖 Read more about this project here: KGUN9 News
Why This Matters for Arizona’s Hemp Industry
HITA fully supports initiatives like this that bring hemp into the mainstream. Events like this strengthen Arizona’s position as a leader in hemp construction, providing education, networking, and real-world applications that will help grow the industry.
This is our moment to push for more hemp farming, more processing, and more innovation—right here in Arizona.
🌱 Let’s come together to support sustainable building and rally behind the hemp industry!
Join us in March to see firsthand how hemp is shaping the future of construction.