Building a hemp market

Hemp processors in South Dakota, Iowa invest in new building-block facility

Janelle Atyeo
May 21, 2026
1 hr ago

Hemp is harvested on the Vonk farm near Rock Valley, Iowa, last year. In their first year growing hemp, the Vonks grew 100 acres. This year, they planted 1,500.
Submitted photo

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Janelle Atyeo

Hemp remains a fledging industry since the 2018 farm bill made it possible for farmers to grow once illegal crop.

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Hemp factory 1.jpg — A structural hemp block, like those that will be manufactured in Rock Valley starting later this year. A hemp and line base makes the building block fire, mold and wind resistant, along with providing insulation. The structural component does away with the need for a wood or metal frame for the building.
Submitted image

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The Vonk’s HempAgra will install a HempTrain like this one at their processing facility in Rock Valley, Iowa. It’s designed to make high-quality hemp fiber, superior in length and cleanliness. The Vonks plan to send samples overseas as a potential market.
Submitted photo

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Hemp is planted this spring on the Vonk farm in northwestern Iowa. The Vonks have opted not to grow soybeans in light of poor prices and a diminishing export market. They instead dedicated more acres to hemp.
Submitted photo

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Steve and Dawson Vonk stand by their tall hemp crop at harvest time last year. The Vonks are opening a hemp processing facility and investing in a hemp building block manufacturing business that will operate next door on the eastern edge of Rock Valley, Iowa.
Submitted photo

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Raised in small town South Dakota, Janelle is enjoying her time as editor of Tri-State Neighbor and Midwest Messenger while raising kids, chickens and no till vegetables in central Sioux Falls. Reach her at janelle.atyeo@lee.net.