Land Use Strategy
Conservative, phased approach to hemp cultivation
Property Overview
Secret Trees Gardens
Location: Brocēni, Latvia
Total Area: 14 hectares
Status: Owned by founders (Ilvers & Ilze)
Commitment: 50-year dedication to sustainable hemp cultivation
The Strategy
Why Conservative Approach?
Problem: Many hemp projects fail by trying to do too much too fast.
Our Solution: Prove the model thoroughly with 1 hectare Phase 1, then scale systematically.
Benefits:
- ✅ Lower risk (realistic budget)
- ✅ Complete demonstration (seed to cottage to revenue)
- ✅ Under-promise, over-deliver
- ✅ Scalability proven (13 hectares available)
Phase 1: Bootstrap (€130K)
1 Hectare Demonstration
Timeline: October 2025 → December 2026 (14 months)
Land Use:
- Cultivation: 1 hectare hemp
- Construction: 1 demonstration cottage
- Infrastructure: MRV device installation
- Remaining: 13 hectares for future expansion
CO₂ Target: 14 tonnes sequestered
Why 14 tonnes:
- Scientific range: 8-22 tonnes CO₂/ha/year
- Average: 14-15 tonnes CO₂/ha/year
- Conservative target: 14 tonnes (achievable)
Budget Breakdown:
€130,000 Total (Complete Infrastructure):
├── €10,000: Land preparation (excavation, drainage, access)
├── €28,000: Cottage structure (hemp biomass, hempcrete, timber frame)
├── €11,000: Roofing (structure, materials, insulation)
├── €5,000: Windows & doors (energy-efficient)
├── €12,000: Water/sewerage (well, pump, septic, plumbing)
├── €25,000: Solar & electrical (7.5kW panels, 15kWh battery, wiring)
├── €5,500: Heating system (wood/pellet stove, chimney)
├── €9,500: Interior finishing (flooring, bathroom, kitchen)
├── €10,000: Construction labor
├── €5,000: Permits & legal
├── €10,000: MRV testing (device, installation, validation)
├── €30,000: Platform & legal (development, compliance, marketing)
├── €1,500: CRCF certification (group certification - 70% savings)
└── €12,500: Contingency (10%)Deliverables:
- ✅ 1 operational cottage (eco-tourism ready)
- ✅ 14 CCT tokens minted (corporate buyers)
- ✅ MRV device validated (blockchain tracking)
- ✅ Complete model proven (seed to revenue)
Phase 2: Careful Expansion (Self-Funded)
2-3 Hectares Total
Timeline: Year 2 (2027)
Land Use:
- Cultivation: 2-3 hectares hemp
- Construction: 2-3 cottages total
- CO₂: 28-45 tonnes cumulative
- Remaining: 11-12 hectares
Funding: Self-funded from Phase 1 profits
Revenue Sources:
- Eco-tourism: €9-25K per cottage per year
- Carbon credits: €45-60 per tonne
- Subscriptions: €10/month per subscriber
Why Self-Funded:
- Phase 1 proves model
- Eco-tourism generates cash flow
- No additional investment needed
- Reduces investor risk
Phase 3: Scale (Self-Funded)
5-7 Hectares Total
Timeline: Years 3-5 (2028-2030)
Land Use:
- Cultivation: 5-7 hectares hemp
- Construction: 5-7 cottages total
- CO₂: 70-105 tonnes cumulative
- Remaining: 7-9 hectares
Growth Model:
- Each cottage funds next cottage
- Exponential growth after Year 2
- Positive cash flow throughout
Phase 4: Mature (Self-Funded)
10-14 Hectares Total
Timeline: Years 5-10 (2030-2035)
Land Use:
- Cultivation: 10-14 hectares hemp
- Construction: 10-25 cottages total
- CO₂: 140-350 tonnes cumulative
- Remaining: 0-4 hectares
Platform Expansion:
- Open to other communities
- Proven model documented
- Templates and processes ready
- Network effects begin
Why This Works
Demonstrates Scalability
14 hectares total shows:
- ✅ Room for 25+ cottages
- ✅ No additional land acquisition needed
- ✅ Expansion capacity proven
- ✅ Long-term vision clear
Reduces Risk
1 hectare Phase 1 proves:
- ✅ Hemp cultivation works
- ✅ Hempcrete processing works
- ✅ Cottage construction works
- ✅ Eco-tourism revenue works
- ✅ Carbon credit generation works
Builds Credibility
Conservative approach shows:
- ✅ Professional planning
- ✅ Realistic budgeting
- ✅ Under-promise, over-deliver
- ✅ Investor confidence
Land Preparation
Zone 3 Renovation (€28K)
Current State: Needs preparation for hemp cultivation
Work Required:
- Soil testing and amendment
- Drainage system installation
- Irrigation infrastructure
- Access road improvement
- Fencing and security
Timeline: 3-4 months (October 2025 - January 2026)
Why Zone 3:
- Optimal soil conditions
- Good drainage
- Easy access
- Suitable for demonstration
Hemp Cultivation
Scientific Methodology
Species: Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)
CO₂ Sequestration:
- Range: 8-22 tonnes CO₂/ha/year
- Average: 14-15 tonnes CO₂/ha/year
- Our Target: 14 tonnes (conservative)
Growing Cycle:
- Planting: April-May
- Growth: May-September (120-150 days)
- Harvest: September-October
- Processing: October-November
Yield:
- Biomass: 10-15 tonnes dry matter per hectare
- Hempcrete: Enough for 1-2 cottages
- Seeds: Additional revenue stream (future)
Cottage Construction
Hempcrete Buildings
Size: 40-60 m² per cottage
Materials:
- Hempcrete: Hemp hurd + lime binder
- Timber Frame: Structural support (€10K per cottage)
- Roof: Traditional or green roof
- Windows/Doors: Energy-efficient
Features:
- Carbon-negative construction
- Excellent insulation (R-value 2.5-3.5)
- Breathable walls (humidity regulation)
- Fire-resistant (Class B-s1, d0)
- Pest-resistant (natural properties)
Timeline: 3-4 months per cottage
MRV Device Integration
IoT Sensor Network
Installation: One device per cottage (€1,195)
Measurements:
- CO₂ concentration (real-time)
- Temperature (ambient + internal)
- Humidity (relative humidity)
- GPS location (tamper detection)
Data Storage:
- Blockchain hash (every 15 minutes)
- Encrypted transmission
- Redundant backups
- Third-party verification
Purpose:
- Verify CO₂ sequestration
- Track cottage performance
- Ensure data integrity
- Enable carbon credit certification
Environmental Impact
Positive Outcomes
Carbon Sequestration:
- Phase 1: 14 tonnes CO₂
- Phase 2: 28-45 tonnes CO₂
- Phase 3: 70-105 tonnes CO₂
- Phase 4: 140-350 tonnes CO₂
Biodiversity:
- Hemp cultivation improves soil health
- No pesticides needed (natural pest resistance)
- Attracts pollinators (bees, butterflies)
- Creates wildlife habitat
Soil Improvement:
- Deep roots (2-3 meters) break up compacted soil
- Adds organic matter
- Improves water retention
- Reduces erosion
Regulatory Compliance
EU Regulations
Hemp Cultivation:
- ✅ EU-approved varieties (< 0.2% THC)
- ✅ Registered with agricultural authorities
- ✅ Annual inspections
- ✅ Seed certification
Carbon Credits:
- ✅ Working towards EU CRCF certification (Q3-Q4 2026)
- ✅ Third-party verification
- ✅ Blockchain transparency
- ✅ MRV device tracking
Construction:
- ✅ Building permits obtained
- ✅ Fire safety compliance
- ✅ Energy efficiency standards
- ✅ Accessibility requirements
Future Expansion
Beyond Secret Trees Gardens
Platform Model:
- Open to other communities (after proof)
- Proven templates and processes
- Replicable across Europe
- Network effects
Target Communities:
- Family businesses (like Secret Trees Gardens)
- Disaster relief projects
- War recovery initiatives
- Hemp innovation hubs
Scalability:
- Each community 1-50 hectares
- 100-200 communities by Year 5
- €690B+ total addressable market
Investment Implications
Why This Matters for Investors
Risk Mitigation:
- Conservative Phase 1 (1 hectare)
- Proven before scaling (13 hectares available)
- Self-funding after Year 2 (no dilution)
Scalability Demonstrated:
- 14 hectares = 25+ cottages potential
- No land acquisition needed
- Clear expansion path
Professional Planning:
- Realistic budgeting (€130K for Phase 1)
- Phased approach (de-risks investment)
- Under-promise, over-deliver (builds trust)
Contact
Questions about land use strategy?
Email: ilvers.sermols@secrettrees.io
Phone: +371 25285999
Visit: Secret Trees Gardens, Brocēni, Latvia (by appointment)
14 hectares. 1 hectare Phase 1. 13 hectares expansion. Proven scalability.