The Strawjet technology is a method for using agricultural byproducts to produce construction material. The process works like this; fibrous material such as wheat straw, hemp stalks, palm fronds, or any number of similar materials are processed by a Strawjet machine into a tightly packed cable, 2” in diameter. These cables are then woven into a mat which is used in much the same way as fiberglass cloth is used in combination with epoxy resin to produce rigid objects. However, the Strawjet system uses cement or adobe in place of the epoxy. By building up multiple layers of the mat material a panel is produced that is both structural and insulating at the same time. Such panels then can be used as wall sections for houses and buildings of all sorts.

In 2006 a company was formed to commercialize the technology and by the summer of 2008 the company had succeeded in producing two production grade machines. 2008 was also the year that the bottom fell out of the construction and construction materials industry.

From its inception ASET has been dedicated to the development of the Strawjet technology. We have identified two applications for the technology that will assist with projects key to ASET’s future.

First and foremost is the Railplane. Strawjet material made from hemp or palm fronds is used as the core of the rails that the Railplane rides on. The qualities of stiffness and flexibility makes this material uniquely suited for this application.

The second application is to introduce Strawjet as a building material to Costa Rica. There is an opportunity here for a number of reasons but the fundamental reason is termites. Since termites don’t eat palm fronds, houses can be made of Strawjet material that are immune to them.

Trees are abundant in Costa Rica but with the exception of a few varieties, termites devour the wood from them in short order. As a result a major percentage of the population is caught in a cycle of poverty brought on, in part, by a never ending process of building and rebuilding their homes. This in turn causes continuous pressure on the forests.

In the whole world there is no better material to process with the Strawjet equipment than palm fronds.

Another factor that makes Strawjet potentially viable in Costa Rica is that labor costs for collecting and processing palm fronds are low and building material costs are high.

We plan to use Strawjet material for the construction of all of the buildings related to educational activities at Garden Village; housing for interns, a workshop for industrial arts, an office building for administration and individual studies.

At the end of 2012 we were given a gift of $45,000 to make preparations to bring a Strawjet machine to Garden Village. The next step is to raise the funds necessary to ship the machine.

Book one of the “Jaguar Queen” series, “Lady Earth” tells the story of how the Strawjet technology was initiated by her. Then how it was developed with the help of David and the other members of the Strawjet team. This was no easy task and the perseverance and patience with which she pursued it is an indication of how important it is to her.

Book two, “Redemption”, describes how David and Susannah, (the founders of Garden Village) were challenged by Lady Earth to make a stand in Costa Rica. The challenge involved starting the learning community, working on the Railplane, and finding solutions for the disappearing forest habitat. The key to all of these intentions is a promise to bring the Strawjet machine to Garden Village.