Friday – March 25, 2022
Let’s Talk Hemp Farm Symposium & Ag Tech Forum
The Let’s Talk Hemp Farm Symposium & Ag Tech Forum features industry professionals discussing what’s next for hemp farmers and hemp agriculture.
Keynotes, panels, roundtables, and discussions will range from farming and growing costs, profit opportunities and realities, carbon credits, regenerative-organic-
Farm Symposium Lunch Sponsor
Breakout Room Sponsor
Friday
Let’s Talk Hemp Farm Symposium
(schedule subject to change – updated weekly)
MC – 10:30am-4:25pm – Preston Whitfield, NoCo Hemp Expo
| 10:30am-10:40am | Welcome to the Noco Hemp Expo Farm Symposium Morris Beegle, WAFBA |
As 2022 finds a maturing, evolving, transforming hemp industry, NoCo Hemp Expo producer, host and cofounder Morris Beegle offer a warm welcome to the agricultural hemp community, along with information and tips on how to enjoy a productive, profitable and safe event. |
| 10:45am-11:00am | Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg: Colorado’s Hemp Blueprint for the USA Kate Greenberg, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture |
Kate Greenberg was appointed by Colorado Governor Jared Polis to serve as the state’s Commissioner of Agriculture in 2018. Since, she has led the Colorado Department of Agriculture and has overseen the state’s agricultural hemp initiatives. Hear how Kate is helping to usher in a new age of Colorado agriculture, and how the state’s hemp program helps serve as a role model for the nation. |
| 11:05am-11:45am | Why Farmers Should Not Give Up on Hemp Moderator: Courtney Moran, Agricultural Hemp Solutions Bill Billings, Colorado Hemp Project Ryan Loflin, Rocky Mountain Hemp Gary Sikes, Bountiful Harvest Farm Tony de Veyra, Rodale Institute |
Hemp acreage is down and CBD prices are currently depressed. Yet, the markets for food, fiber, building materials and other uses for hemp are on the rise. With careful planning and insights from this panel of hemp agriculture experts, farmers can still turn to hemp to help diversify their operations and succeed in a rapidly evolving market. |
| 11:50am-12:10pm | Outstanding in Her Field: Industrial Hemp Report from the Fields of Kansas Melissa Nelson, South Bend Industrial Hemp |
Independent crop research scientist Melissa Nelson is focused on growing the hemp industry in Kansas. From her fourth-generation family farm in Central Kansas and her company, South Bend Industrial Hemp, Nelson helps farmers in Kansas grow hemp as an economically viable crop. In this seminar, Melissa will share tips she has learned from the field with all farmers at NoCo Hemp Expo. |
| 12:15pm-12:30pm | USDA Hemp Update, by William Richmond, Chief, U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program Bill Richmond, USDA |
Get an important update on how federal hemp rules and regulations will affect the industry in 2022 from this pre-recorded presentation by Bill Richmond, USDA’s Chief of the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program, administered under the Specialty Crops Program of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). |
| 1:30pm-1:40pm | It’s in the Numbers – Hemp Agriculture Data Update Eric Singular, New Frontier Data |
Eric Singular is the Senior Hemp Analyst for New Frontier Data, a leading hemp industry market intelligence and data analysis firm. Working with farmers, regulators, legal counsel, researchers and businesses leading the adoption of industrial hemp as a new rotational crop and agricultural commodity in the U.S., Eric will present data and analysis that will help guide producers into the future. |
| 1:45pm-2:10pm | Doug Fine: How Your Hemp Enterprise Can Fight Climate Change and Win in the Marketplace Doug Fine, Author and Hemp Farmer |
Author, hemp farmer, goat herder and the hemp industry’s favorite regenerative farmer Doug Fine works with farmers the world over to advance the production of his favorite crop to solve the world’s problems. Here, Doug connects the dots on how easy-to-adopt regenerative farming practices can help farmers grow profitable, successful hemp crops, sequester carbon and rebuild healthy soils for generations. Don’t miss this informative, entertaining presentation! |
| 2:15pm-2:55pm | Hemp Genetics, Seed Trials and Scaling Up – Grain, Fiber & Cannabinoids Moderator: Mandi Kerr, Global Hemp Association Terry Moran, International Hemp Wendy Mosher, New West Genetics, Inc. Oussama Badad, Trilogene Seeds Hana Gabrielova, Hempoint |
It’s all about the genetics, you’ll often hear in the hemp industry, and the importance of reliable, Certified, high quality premium seed and/or clones cannot be overstated. Hear from top seed specialists, geneticists and plant breeders in this seminar about the latest breakthroughs in cannabis genetics and research to modulate cannabinoid composition and maximize crop quality, yield, production and scale. |
| 3:00pm-3:40pm | Go Big or Go Home: How We Get to Large-scale Industrial Hemp Processing Moderator: Joy Beckerman, Hemp Ace International Corbett Hefner, Formation Ag Andrew Bish, Bish Enterprises Greg Wilson, HempWood Ken Elliott, IND Hemp |
As hemp experiences a renaissance in manufacturing, it is also breaking new ground, and the need to scale is a pressing issue for producers. How do we build the infrastructure and secure the investments needed to build an industry? Well, some growers, equipment makers and manufacturers are leading and not waiting, from scaling hemp for food and fiber operations in the Midwest to producing carbon-neutral hempwood at scale, learn from these trailblazers and innovators building a hemp industry for all of us. |
| 3:45pm-4:00pm | Hemp and the New California Regulations Chris Boucher, Farmtiva Inc |
According to one of the hemp industry’s OG hemp farmers, Chris Boucher, new California hemp farming and manufacturing rules as a result of the new partnerships of marijuana and hemp lobby associations is a major issue facing many states currently, in particular, new regulation of CBD, CBG, CBN, and any hemp-derived cannabinoids under the state marijuana regulatory authorities. We have always been vigilant and laser focused on hemp derived cannabinoids being regulated like “dietary supplements” by the FDA, not state marijuana boards, says Boucher. Learn why what happens in California is important to you. |
| 4:05pm-4:20pm | “Rocky Mountain High” – What You Need to Know to Cultivate Hemp in Colorado Margaret Foderaro, State of Colorado |
“Rocky Mountain High” in Colorado creates a high-altitude, dry environment for hemp and cannabis cultivators. However, the state was an early hemp adopter and many began growing hemp for CBD in 2014 under research licensing, which helped set the standard when hemp became fully legal in the U.S. in 2018. Margaret Foderaro is Colorado’s Inspection and Outreach Coordinator working with hemp growers throughout the state. Here, she shares her expertise with seasoned producers and new growers, alike. |
| 4:20pm-4:25pm | Closing Remarks Preston Whitfield, NoCo Hemp Expo |
Preston Whitfield of NoCo Hemp Expo presents a summary of the day and closing remarks. |
Friday
Let’s Talk Hemp Ag Tech Forum
(schedule subject to change – updated weekly)
MC – 11:00am-4:30pm – Lauren Berlekamp, Movement Media
| 11:00am-11:05am | Welcome to the Noco Hemp Expo Farm Symposium Lauren Berlekamp |
As 2022 finds a maturing, evolving, transforming hemp industry, NoCo Hemp Expo offers a warm welcome to the agricultural hemp community, along with information and tips on how to enjoy a productive, profitable and safe event. |
| 11:05am-11:25am | The Importance of Technology in the Development of Industrial Hemp Tim Gordon, Partner, GPS Global |
Tim Gordon has been at the forefront of the cannabis and hemp industry for more than 30 years, and has worked with a number of the leading growers, processors, product developers and more. From soil microbiome technology advances to the development of drones for monitoring crop health, tech is here to stay, and Tim will guide us on its best uses in hemp. |
| 11:30am-12:10pm | CEO Roundtable: Building Out Innovations in Processing Technology Moderator: Frederick Cawthon, Hemp Alliance of Tennessee Matt Birkholz, Colorado Hemp Works Patrick Van Meter, Midwest Natural Fiber Aaron Barr, CEO, Canadian Rockies Hemp Corp. |
Hemp food and fiber processors are building out the foundation of a robust hemp industry in North America. For them, the need to align the value chain is increasing, and consistency is becoming as important as quality. “Coopetition” – the ability for small businesses, suppliers, customers and others to work together and thrive in a fragmented market – is essential for success, too, say hemp business leaders. Learn from this expert panel of hemp seed and oil processors, and hemp fiber producers and processors as they look to scale supply and demand for the industry. |
| 12:15pm-12:30pm | Solvent-free Extraction Technologies Matt Broxterman, Boulder Creek Technologies |
Learn from Boulder Creek Technologies how the company is taking the lead in developing and applying technologies and using natural ingredients for solvent-free extraction for full-spectrum product. |
| 1:30pm-1:50pm | How to Grow the World’s Tallest Hemp Plant and Achieve the Highest Yield of Fiber for Maximum Sustainability Lawrence Serbin, Hemp Traders |
In 2021, Lawrence Serbin, together with California hemp legend Chris Boucher and farmer Tom Pire, grew a crop in which one of the hemp plants reached over 24 feet in height – a potential entry for the Guinness Book of World Records. The founder of Hemp Traders, Lawrence will share how they grew the tallest hemp crop in the world – and how you can, too. |
| 1:55pm-2:15pm | How NIR Technology Can Improve Quality Control in the Hemp Industry Ruben Valenzuela Moreno, Valenveras |
From seed until the final extract, NIR analysis systems allow instantaneous analyses of many different cannabis parameters. Ruben Valenzuela Moreno of Valenveras has been working with the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Spain to develop this new technology. Learn how it can analyze cannabinoids, terpenes, seed sex, fiber quality, nutritional quality of the oil and many other parameters in less than 30 seconds with great precision. |
| 2:20pm-2:40pm | Disruptive Cannabis Technologies Josh Camp, Courier Labs |
Join Joshua Camp, President of Courier Labs, as he explores seed-to-sale opportunities for streamlining efficiencies in a maturing market by implementing and repurposing both new and existing technology. This session will quickly cover a range of topics from genetics to retail distribution and will offer a unique perspective on how to navigate the maturing market, and what to anticipate in the future. |
| 2:45pm-3:30pm | Regenerative Agriculture Gary Sikes, Bountiful Harvest Farm |
A graduate of North Carolina State University in Ornamental Horticulture and Ag. Engineering Technology, Gary Sikes is the owner of Bountiful Harvest Farm, a free range poultry and hemp farm in Polkton, NC. Through his work as cofounder of a growing cooperative called Bio-Regen Co-op, Sikes helps farmers adopt regenerative organic agriculture practices to maximize quality and yield while rebuilding soils and reducing the need for synthetic inputs. Gary’s presentation is a must for anyone growing a hemp crop this year! |
| 3:35pm-3:55pm | Value-added Technology in Hemp: Sugars, Lignin, Pulps and More Ed Lehrburger, Purehemp Technologies |
Join Ed Lehrburger, founder and CEO of Purehemp Technologies as he shares innovations – a number of which his own team is leading – in developing industrial applications for hemp-derived sugars, lignin and pulp and other compounds, including applications in the paper industry, building and construction, and more. |
| 4:00pm-4:20pm | Frontiers in Cannabis Genetics and Genomics Dr. Shira Corem, Better Seeds |
Learn how Israel-based genetics and seed company BetterSeeds is innovating hemp genetics via CRISPR technology to develop what it claims are new, improved varieties of selected crops and hemp varieties, from Dr. Tal Sherman, cofounder and VP of Research & Development for BetterSeeds. |
| 4:25pm-4:30pm | Closing Remarks Lauren Berlekamp, Movement Media |
Lauren Berlenkamp, Communications Manager of Movement Media, a firm that describes itself as “activists at heart and publicists by trade,” presents a summary of the day and closing remarks. |
Friday
Canamo Breakout Room
Latin America, Indigenous Nations and Global Update
(schedule subject to change – updated weekly)
MC – 11:00am-4:30pm – Danielle Espinel, Cannalatino
| 11:00am-12:00pm | Indigenous Hemp Update Alicia Fall, Her Many Voices Mary Jane Oatman, Indigenous Cannabis Coalition Jacob Wamego, Prairie Band LLC Rosebud White Plume, White Plume Hemp Marc Grignon, Hempstead Project Heart |
In 2022, 54 Native American Tribes throughout the U.S. have approved hemp production programs, and hemp and cannabis bring economic hope to Indigenous communities. We are excited to feature Indigenous leaders, entrepreneurs and activists in this panel focused on furthering opportunities in hemp and cannabis, along with identifying where opportunities and challenges exist, and how the overall hemp community can support hemp entrepreneurship in Native American communities in North America. |
| 12:15pm-2:00pm | Latin America Hemp Update Lorena Beltran, Cannabisalud Ralph Schulke, Innerbloom Holdings and at ALCANN A.C. Lorenzo Rolim, Latin America Industrial Hemp Association Stephen Clarke, Heaven Grown Mariana Larrea, Santamarina & Steta Xitlali Baila, Xitlali Dancer |
Markets in Latin America are heating up for hemp and cannabis, with legislation in Mexico and Central and South American countries promising to pave the way to what is expected to be one of the largest hemp and cannabis markets in the world. Join this panel of Latin American industry experts who are deeply involved in building the legal hemp and cannabis business from the ground up in this exciting market. |
| 2:15pm-3:45pm | Global Hemp Update/Cannabis and Hemp International in 2022 Moderator: Brett Goldman, OCan Group Mark Reinders, HempFlax – Europe Anndrea Hermann, The Ridge International Cannabis Consulting – Canada Paul Benhaim, The Hemp Plastic Company – Australia Tony Budden, Hemporium – Africa / South Africa |
As global markets for cannabis and hemp evolve, Brett Goldman, Partner in the OCan Group, presents a look at what’s happening around the world in hemp farming production, processing and manufacturing, along with a snapshot of regulatory activity, consumer trends and supply chain issues, with a focus on the Middle East-North Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the EU. Brett also will host a series of guest video presentations from international hemp leaders pre-recorded exclusively for NoCo Hemp Expo, to present a look at activity and opportunities elsewhere around the globe. |
