Farrell Bryant first got involved with WSCAT in 2014 through the IDA program. After purchasing a home, she was not involved with the organization for many years.
In 2024, Farrell became involved in WSCAT again through the workforce development program. After spending 20 years providing oral health care at IHS, she was ready for something new. In March 2024, she enrolled in a hemp internship with WSCAT. She completed two internships over the span of six months and learned a lot about hemp creation and usage.
Hempcrete is a material that can be used to renovate homes and Farrell sees this as a big opportunity for Warm Springs. She visited someone who built their home entirely out of hempcrete, using donations and only $300 in materials.
She pursued different opportunities related to hemp since the internship, taking a class with the Columbia Gorge Community College and going to the OSU global hemp innovation center, where she took a workshop of how to make hempcrete out of hemp herd. She then worked at Lazarus Naturals and was trained in processing industrial hemp for urban fiber. Now she hopes to use the knowledge to create job opportunities and renovate homes in Warm Springs. She developed hemp-making skills during each experience, which included working on a farm. She learned how to process, cultivate, and grow hemp.
While she was participating in the various workforce experiences, she also began meeting with WSCAT business staff and began developing a business around hemp. She learned about different business types and is beginning to make her hemp dreams a reality.
Currently, she is working with Earth Merchant and WSCAT to make a facility for hemp block production in Warm Springs. Earth Merchant has been vital in mentoring Farrell and is providing hands-on training to builders on how to mix and make hempcrete. Farrell is motivated and excited to teach people about hempcrete and make it available in Warm Springs.