Route 66 Natural Building Heritage Project

Route 66 Hemp Heritage Project — Hands-On Building Workshop

What if some of the materials we use to build our homes could begin on a local farm?

Join us in Lebanon, Missouri, October 14–16, 2026, for a three-day, hands-on workshop exploring the bridge between agriculture and construction.

This is not a sit-and-watch seminar. Participants will get hands-on with natural, plant-based building materials and learn alongside experienced instructors while exploring how agricultural crops and fibers can become part of the building industry.

The bigger idea is simple: create new markets for farmers, keep more dollars circulating in local communities, teach practical building skills, and explore healthier, more attainable ways to build homes.

The workshop is designed for farmers, builders, contractors, tradespeople, architects, students, educators, landowners, homeowners, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about natural and bio-based construction. No previous construction experience is required.

Workshop Details
October 14–16, 2026
Lebanon, Missouri
$309 for the complete three-day workshop

A host hotel with reduced-rate accommodations will be available for participants. Booking information will be provided as arrangements are finalized.

The workshop is part of the larger Route 66 Hemp Heritage Project, culminating in a FREE Community Building Event October 17–18, where we will invite the public to learn, participate, and experience these ideas firsthand.

Come ready to learn, build, ask questions, meet people from agriculture and construction, and help us explore what can happen when we connect the people who grow our resources with the people who build our homes.

Honoring where we’ve been. Growing what comes next. Building it together.

Make your workshop a full weekend getaway! Whether you want to roll up in an RV or kick back in a cozy bed, the Bennett Spring area has options for every style and budget.

Where to Stay Around Bennett Spring, MO:

• RVs & Campers: Park close to the action with full-hookup campsites, pull-thru RV pads, and peaceful riverside camping grounds along the Niangua River.

• Tent Camping: Pitch your tent under the Ozark stars! Enjoy budget-friendly primitive campsites, campfire pits, and serene natural settings just minutes from the venue.

• Cozy Cabins & Bunkhouses: Rent a secluded timber cabin, a rustic log home, or a fully furnished getaway equipped with outdoor decks and fire pits.

• Airbnbs & Local Lodges: Choose from private vacation rentals, family-sized farmhouses, or modern glamping stays right here in Lebanon and Bennett Spring, MO.

Turn Your Event Ticket into an Ozark Adventure:

Spend your days learning hands-on hempcrete building techniques, then kick back in nature! The local area offers premier outdoor recreation:

• World-Class Trout Fishing: Cast a line in the world-famous, cold-water streams at Bennett Spring State Park.

• Niangua River Float Trips: Rent a raft, kayak, canoe, or tube for a day floating down the pristine scenic riverways.

• Hiking & Nature Trails: Explore lush Ozark forestry, bluffs, and natural springs.

Spots fill up fast during peak season—book your lodging or campground early and grab your workshop tickets today!