#1 The Inspiration for ENaBL

Welcome, and thank you for joining me at the founding of the Evensong Natural Building Lab. I couldn’t be more excited to embark on this impactful journey with all of you. Together, we’re working to design and develop a campus of natural buildings that truly showcase the benefits of agriculturally grown materials. Materials like straw, hemp, cordwood, earth, mycelium, and more aren’t just eco-friendly—they represent a shift toward healthier, more sustainable living. These materials create efficient homes while supporting local farmers, sequestering carbon, promoting sustainability, and strengthening regional building supply chains.

Future site of the ENaBL campus on Evensong Farm in Sharpsburg, MD. We will utilze materials grown on our farm, as well as other farms in our region, to provide a "farm to shelter" educational experience.

My Inspiration for Starting ENaBL

The idea for ENaBL began right here at Evensong Farm. For over 20 years, I’ve grown food for local farmers markets, and it’s been one of the greatest honors of my life to connect with my community in such a meaningful way. From the first-time customer to the loyal, long-term families who return season after season, I’ve loved seeing relationships grow over time—watching children grow from infants to teens, hearing stories of healing through healthy food, and knowing that I’ve helped nourish both bodies and spirits.

Throughout those years, I’ve been inspired by the strength and creativity of the farming community. Farmers face immense challenges, and yet they adapt, innovate, and persevere in incredible ways. Natural building has always been an interest of mine, but in recent years, it became clear to me that farms can play an even larger role in community well-being. I began to lean in to the idea that farms aren’t just for food. They can grow building materials too—helping to create local supply chains that support healthy living. That’s how ENaBL came to life—a way to unite my passions for farming, sustainability, and community building.

To make this vision a reality, I’ve brought together an incredible team of friends, colleagues, and experts in the field and formed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Guided by the belief that "a rising tide lifts all boats", this nonprofit will allow us to reach more people and expand our impact. We are assembling a collective of talented individuals with backgrounds in natural building design, construction, education, farming, manufacturing, and more. This will help us spread the word and turn ENaBL’s mission into a shared movement.

Future Site of the ENaBL Campus

The future ENaBL campus will be located on my farm, Evensong Farm, in Sharpsburg, MD. It will serve as the heart of what could be called a “farm to shelter” educational experience. Here, we’ll use materials grown on this farm and others in the region to showcase what’s possible when we integrate agriculture with the built environment. This campus will bring the concept of local building supply chains to life, demonstrating how farmers can be key players in regional sustainability.

A Bright Future

Let's dream big. Our vision is to create modern, visually stunning buildings that challenge perceptions about natural materials. These materials—straw, hemp, earth, and more—aren’t just for niche projects. They’re versatile, beautiful, and incredibly practical for homes. By sourcing them locally, we’re not only fostering a more sustainable economy but also supporting farmers and businesses right here in our communities. Together, we can redirect resources back into the hands of our neighbors instead of far-off corporations.

Exploring Natural Materials

Our work at ENaBL will spotlight not only familiar materials like straw, hemp, earth, and wood but also introduce innovative resources like mycelium, bamboo, water reed, wool, and flax. We’ll explore how to merge these materials with advanced construction methods that are tailored for the Mid-Atlantic climate. We will utilize our structures for education and research, helping various stakeholders understand the benefits and differences they can expect with various applications. The goal is simple: sustainability combined with high performance.

Join in the Mission

As ENaBL grows, we’ll document every step of the journey and create opportunities for you to get involved. Workshops, events, volunteer days—you name it. Your participation, whether through time, expertise, or financial support, will be what makes this vision a reality. Together, we can reimagine how farms serve communities, not just by feeding them but by helping to shelter them too. Let’s create a future where agriculture and architecture meet in harmony, shaping the world one natural building at a time.