[Photo: event in the space]
Convening space
Meetings and events for growers, makers, researchers and buyers.
[Full-width photo: SouthWorks campus or showroom interior, pending permission]
Coming to SouthWorks · Ithaca, NY
Using hemp to advance housing and housing to advance hemp
AFARE is a 501(c)(3) biomaterials incubator bringing hemp and biomaterials companies, researchers and buyers together at SouthWorks, minutes from Cornell. Our first focus is affordable housing built with hemp.
Be a memberApply for membershipFor material producers, builders, growers, manufacturers and researchers.Get involvedSponsor or mentorBack the events, testing and training that move hemp into buildings.EventsBook the convening spaceMeetings, workshops and architect continuing education at SouthWorks.
About AFARE
One home for a fractured, emerging industry
Alliance for a Regenerative BioEconomy (AFARE) is a 501(c)(3) organized to advance regenerative agriculture and the regenerative bioeconomy through education, research, technical assistance, outreach, workforce development, market development and partnerships.
Farmers
Industry
Public health
Planetary health
Why SouthWorks
AFARE is based at SouthWorks, the 95-acre former Morse Chain plant in Ithaca that SHIFT Capital is redeveloping into a campus for manufacturing, research and housing.
One location
Hemp industry and academic participants from across the country and around the world, convened in Ithaca.
Next to Cornell
Close to Cornell University's research, faculty and facilities.
Project pipeline
Development projects that members can take part in.
The Hempcubator at SouthWorks
What we're opening
[Photo: hemp block wall]
Materials showroom
Member products on display, with specs, demonstration videos and brochures.
[Photo: member desks]
Member space
A desk in Ithaca and a New York mailing address.
[Photo: production line]
Hempcubator
Production and lab space AFARE subleases to members.
See and handle hemp materials before you specify them
Architects, builders, developers and code officials can book a free visit to the materials showroom. Member blocks, insulation and panels are on display with brochures, specs boards and demonstration videos.
[Hemp block]
[Insulation]
[Hemp hurd]
First projects
Affordable housing gives growers, processors and material makers a buyer they can plan around.
Affordable hemp housing
First project in the City of Ithaca on underused land, with a growing pipeline of other developments.
Building code pathway
Code officials, testing labs and engineers working to get hemp block accepted under the NY Uniform Code and NYC codes.
Demonstration builds
Pilot structures that produce the New York performance data lenders and developers ask for.
Why now
The market is growing, the codes allow hemp, and New York is already paying for testing. Local supply is the gap.
14.9%Yearly growth of the global hempcrete market, from $570M in 2024 to a forecast $2.24B by 2034.Source: GMI
150Acres of hemp planted in New York in 2025. AFARE exists to grow that number.Source: Hemp.com on USDA
Member benefits
A New York base to display, sell and make hemp products
Presence and market access
Display space
Your products on display at SouthWorks, with brochures for visitors and a wall board showing your company story and specs.
Desk and address
A desk at the AFARE offices and a New York mailing address. More office space is available at a separate cost.
AFARE presentations
A place in AFARE presentations to developers, builders, engineers, architects, investors, universities and officials.
Direct sales
AFARE brings members into specific deals from its network. A referral fee applies to sales AFARE originates.
Production, capital and policy
Production space
Sublease space in the Hempcubator at SouthWorks, where AFARE holds the lease, to run a production line.
Incentives and investment
Introductions to local and state officials on grants, tax incentives, and nondilutive and equity investment.
Advocacy
AFARE speaks for its members on the policy issues that decide how much hemp building material New York uses.
Market intelligence
Quarterly briefings on codes, policy, project pipelines, funding rounds and Northeast hemp supply.
Research and projects
Cornell research and genetics
Access to Cornell's hemp breeding program and the USDA hemp seed bank at Cornell AgriTech.
New York code pathway
Code officials, testing labs and engineers working to get hemp block accepted under NY and NYC codes.
Demonstration builds
A place in AFARE pilot structures, producing the New York performance data lenders and developers ask for.
Grant co-applications
Joint applications for state and federal programs that favor or require a nonprofit partner.
Who joins
Builders and building materials
Hemp block, hempcrete, insulation, panel, flooring and truss producers, plus the developers, architects and contractors who use them.
Manufacturers and brands
Companies replacing PFAS and petroleum-based inputs in packaging, coatings, adhesives and more.
Farmers and processors
Growers, co-ops and fiber processors who supply the raw material.
Research, testing and workforce
Universities, campuses, testing labs and trades programs.
Land, environment and capital
Remediation and engineering firms, foundations, impact investors and lenders.
How membership works
- Tell us about your company
- Agree on the terms of membership
- Sign a membership agreement
Onboarding
- Install products, brochures and specs board
- Set up your desk and New York mailing address
- Join AFARE presentations
- Introductions to state and regional officials and developers
- Hempcubator walkthrough and production space scope
- Quarterly market briefings begin
Annual dues from [$500] for startups and growers to [$5,000] for manufacturers.
Help hemp get built in New York
Become a sponsor
Founding sponsors support the opening of the hub at SouthWorks, the first industry events and the materials showroom.
Talk to us about sponsorshipMentor a member
Architects, engineers, developers and lenders can advise member companies on codes, financing and getting into projects.
Volunteer as a mentorSupport our programs
Grants and gifts fund material testing, builder training and demonstration homes that help every member.
Support AFAREEvents
2 industry events a year, with continuing education for architects
Member products on display, speakers, funders and policymakers. Sessions will be registered so they count toward New York's 36-hour requirement for architects.
SouthWorks factory exterior95 acres on Ithaca's South Hill · photo pending permission
Join growers, makers, builders and researchers at SouthWorks
Tell us about your work. Dana Thompson, Executive Director, will be in touch.