Hemp Farming, Processing & Construction Campus

The Lower Sioux Indian Community Council identified hemp farming, processing and home construction as an important economic development strategy in the tribe’s comprehensive Strategic Plan and Housing Action Plan in an effort to promote the long-term well-being of the community’s political integrity, economic security, health, welfare and environment. The tribe had previously piloted hemp farming, processing, and home design but wished to expand its capacity.

Seven Generations Architecture + Engineering and Steelhead Engineering collaborated with Loeffler Construction to design and build a new hemp campus to house a hemp farming, processing, and home construction enterprise.

Elements of the campus include a 8,000 SF insulated and heated pole barn to store farming equipment and bales of hemp hurd and fiber, a grain bin to store and dry hemp seed, and a 6,000 SF facility to house and operate hemp processing equipment.

Another 6,000-square-foot facility will be designed to make and store hurd-based materials for home construction.

Road access with two entrances will be provided for equipment and employees. In addition, the campus will incorporate landscaping that promotes a non-industrial look and consideration and care for the surrounding environmental and cultural features of Lower Sioux land.