three weeks to choose from May 5, May 12, May 19
HANDS-ON NATURAL BUILDING AT
Located in East Tennessee, Haven Village is a Permaculture and Vastu inspired Masterplan including plans for over 30 Healthy Hemp Homes with Natural Plasters and additional structures incorporating Super Adobe (Earthbag), Cob as well as other building technologies and techniques.
We are pioneering a healthy way to return to the land while sharing our model through mentorship with skilled builders and master artisans. Our trade school offers a holistic approach to learning natural, innovative, and off-grid systems, solutions and materials, with a focus on Healthy Hemp Homes.
FILL OUT OUR ENROLLMENT FORM TODAY
This is a unique opportunity to experience a full array of natural building techniques on site with multiple build projects happening simultaneously at the Haven Village in East Tennessee.
Please Note: Due to limited space, you must complete the pre-registration form to enroll.
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
HEMP DESIGN & BUILDING
Worked for over 2 decades in the professional world of Architecture and Construction internationally, designing, and implementing projects from individual custom homes to high-end 5-star hotel projects.
In 2017 River moved toward natural building materials studying SuperAdobe (EarthBag) and DIY Aircrete construction in Africa. He designed and built the first permitted SuperAdobe project in Turkey in 2018 featured on the cover of Vogue magazine and International news.
In 2019 River worked with veteran Hemp build company Hemp Eco- Systems in Switzerland to design a modest hemp home in the US. He led the full build-out and hosted his first Haven Earth hemp training. The project was documented by Discovery Network and has become an iconic Hemp project in the US. Since then, River has designed, built and taught numerous Hemp Build projects across the US and recently started the build-out of the Haven Village with his partner Imani. He continues to share his knowledge and passion for natural building with a focus on Hemp as he believes this building material is set to change the construction industry and shift our focus back to natural and healthy building materials.
SPRING SEMESTER 2024: May 5th through May 25th
for those looking to make a career in building with hemp
We have 5 discounted tuition spots for the Spring Semester for those looking to build a career within the hemp industry. Join our Hemp Build Team once you have completed the training this Summer. Build experience is required and you must be able to attend all three weeks.
Complete Apprenticeship Application HERE.
3 one week training opportunities
Immerse yourself in the world of hemp building like no other. Learn all of the essential aspects of building with hemp-lime (crete), starting with understanding the specific construction details and materials, proper mixing processes, ratios, curing times, and other important hemp-building considerations. Experience both classroom time reading blueprints, informative talks as well as hands-on Hemp-lime installation with forms and hemping walls of our 12 x 12 ft Vastu Hemple structure. You will also have the opportunity to observe the groundbreaking of the first 4 of 12 architect-designed 900 sq ft hemp homes demonstrating Hemp-Crete as the primary building material.
This is so much more than a Natural Builder Training! Not only will you get to learn a variety of natural building techniques, you will also benefit from seeing simultaneous build projects in process from design to finish. Please make sure you listen to this full explanation video so you understand how our Spring Semester program works and how we will run it before securing your spot.
Our “Hemp Temple” is designed according to the traditional ancient practice of Vastu Shastra which is a Sanskrit term that translates to the “science of architecture.” This Hemple serves as an energetic anchor point for the future build-out of all permanent Hemp Homes and together we are going to Hemp this first permanent structure during our Spring Semester program. HEMP is revered as a high-frequency material and is the perfect material to build this sacred structure - the first of its kind.
We are incorporating essential Vastu principles into the Haven Village Masterplan and have been working with Dr. Jessie J. Mercay and the American University of Mayonic Science and Technology to build our Hemple. This temple built with measurements from this ancient Science of Architecture will serve as the "North Star" on the land that is in perfect alignment with True North. You can learn more about Dr Jessie and Vastu Shastras at aumscience.com
Listen to Dr Jessie explain some of the foundational Vastu principles of this ancient Mayonic Science and Technology which is the precursor to Feng Sui. Buildings constructed using the principles of Vastu Shastra bring peace and harmony to those who inhabit the structure.
In addition to the Hemple structure, we will be building an energy fence around it using another Natural Building Technique known as Super Adobe. You will learn how to work with this robust and cost-effective building technique with this application. Check out the video below of River's Off-Grid Earthbag Design and Building Project in Bodrum, Turkey: Lucky Spring Farm.
All around the world, Syntropic Agroforestry has successfully demonstrated that degraded land can be rehabilitated into abundant, food-producing forest systems, regenerating the soil and increasing biodiversity, enhancing the future potential of each land parcel. This is best achieved by observing and imitating syntropic patterns in nature, which allows us to speed up the natural processes of ecological succession, producing quality food, fibres, timber and fuels. while also regenerating degraded lands.
Founder of the Australasian Syntropic Agroforestry Research Institute (SARI), Souvereign is a student teacher in applied Regenerative Agricultural practices, eco-holistic community development and Syntropic Human Ecology. Souvereign is a well-known Syntropy expert in the Regenerative Practitioner world and during his time at Haven Village he will share the Foundations (Practices & Principles) to Applied Syntropic Agroforestry for Haven Village in Tennessee.
Off-Grid Solutions - Learn the theory and application of a fully off-grid solar system installed on our Tiny Hemp Home. Evening Talk and comprehensive Q & A session to becoming more resilient.
Vermicomposting - We will build a vermicomposting system to handle the composting toilet solids that can be implemented as part of a flush toilet system where zoning allows. Populated with composting worms, we build bins from IBC totes and create a habitat to support our worm populations. Excess water and “worm juice” is filtered through the specially constructed drains to a greenfilter system built to utilize the super beneficial effluent. Students will learn about vermicomposting, bin construction, maintenance, selecting the rights worms, and troubleshooting.
Shawn has worked in and around the power generation industry since 2000 and decided shortly after the Great Recession to build a more self-sufficient lifestyle. He has lived on his off-grid homestead with his wife and two children since 2012 utilizing solar pv and rainwater catchment systems he designed and installed himself. In 2017, Shawn started his own consultation company hackmyhomestead.com to help others demystify solar and other alternative energy systems to implement them in their own lives. His clients include new construction projects, remote hunting properties, exiting homes and outbuildings with a variety of installation types. Shawn’s designs are based on the overall goals of his client and offer a holistic view of energy use and cost of implementation where sometimes the “appropriate” answer is generator and gasoline rather than newer and more expensive technology. In 2022 Shawn expanded the scope of his business to include off-grid living, homestead automation design, vermicomposting and rainwater catchment with cost-effective implementation of those systems.
Sunday
2pm Arrivals & Tours
4pm Meet & Greet
6pm Dinner
7pm Welcome Overview
Monday-Friday
7-9am Breakfast on your own
9am-12pm Morning Session
1-2pm Lunch
2-5pm Afternoon Session
6pm Dinner
7pm Evening Talk (Tues & Thurs)
9pm Community Bonfire (Friday)
Saturday
10:30am Brunch
12pm Closing Circle
2pm Departures
Complete our Pre-registration form to secure your spot for your preferred week. Please note on-site accommodations and meals are not included in the tuition price (additional $550-$900). Additional information and directions to complete registration will be emailed to you once we receive your application.
On-site accommodations and meals are an additional charge. There are several private and shared accommodation options for staying with us on the land depending on your budget. Learn more at havenvillage.net. Once you complete our pre-registration form you will be sent a detailed email outlining our accommodations so you can choose the one that is right for you.
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