iHemp Michigan Podcast

Hana Gabrielová and Robin Destiche of KonopiUS will join us this week. Hana Gabrielová is a 20-year veteran within the hemp industry. In 2010 she founded Hempoint in Europe. Hempoint is involved in many parts of the supply chain – planting seed distribution, farming, harvesting, processing, manufacturing, and sales. In 2021 Hana co-founded konopiUS in the US. konopiUS distributes EU and OECD certified industrial hemp varieties to North American farmers. Hana provides invaluable experience and agronomic experience for the konopiUS team.  Robin is one of the co-founders of konopiUS which has locations in North Carolina and Tennessee. konopiUS distributes EU-certified industrial hemp varieties for fiber and grain. This year konopiUS sent farming seeds to 25 states and is working with a number of universities on research studies.   Join us on Facebook, YouTube, our website, or through Zoom!   ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~   This year’s Expo theme is “The Power of Hemp & Cannabis” and this year’s Expo will encompass all aspects of hemp and cannabis.   On Thursday, May 19th, there will be a pre-Expo networking event at the Radisson.    On Friday May 20th, we will focus on business-to-business activities and education.   On Saturday, May 21st, the Expo Hall opens with a free admission to the public as well as a variety of free educational content.   For more information about the Midwest iHemp Expo on May 20-21, 2022, you can visit the website at MidwestiHempExpo.com.

UniSeeds Inc. is a professional seed business that develops and distributes high-quality industrial hemp seed. We are farmers serving farmers, with a goal to improve life through plant genetics by working collaboratively with our peers to serve the agricultural market, increase hemp production and generate agronomic knowledge that maximizes productivity.  Join us on Facebook, YouTube, our website, or through Zoom! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~  This year’s Expo theme is “The Power of Hemp & Cannabis” and this year’s Expo will encompass all aspects of hemp and cannabis.  On Thursday May 19th, there will be a pre-Expo networking event at the Radisson.  On Friday May 20th, we will focus on business-to-business activities and education.   On Saturday, May 21st, the Expo Hall opens with a free admission to the public as well as a variety of free educational content.  For more information about the Midwest iHemp Expo on May 20-21, 2022, you can visit the website at MidwestiHempExpo.com.

Tonya Mora is a lifelong resident of Michigan other than her time spent in the United States Navy where she worked with the military police as well as taught sailing skills to midshipmen at the Naval Academy. After her honorable discharge, she attained the position of Corrections Officer with the Michigan State Department of Corrections. Upon leaving her state position in 2011 she developed an interest in essential oils through the loss of a friend’s mother and the inheritance of her books regarding this subject. This was near the same time in which Ms. Mora had begun working behind the scenes in the medical marijuana industry trimming plants, learning more about organic growing and the therapeutic benefits of cannabis oils. She began blending topical oils for use by herself and then family and friends with great success in achieving high levels of relief from a variety of ailments. Word of mouth spread and she started her company Sweed Dreams LLC in 2015.  Join us on Facebook, YouTube, our website, or through Zoom! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~  This year’s Expo theme is “The Power of Hemp & Cannabis” and this year’s Expo will encompass all aspects of hemp and cannabis.  On Thursday May 19th, there will be a pre-Expo networking event at the Radisson. On Friday May 20th, we will focus on business-to-business activities and education. On Saturday, May 21st, the Expo Hall opens with a free admission to the public as well as a variety of free educational content.  For more information about the Midwest iHemp Expo on May 20-21, 2022, you can visit the website at MidwestiHempExpo.com.

We are visiting with Crop Scout Christie Apple on this week’s iHemp Hour! Get the Dirt on Soil with this expert. Join us on Facebook, YouTube, our website, or through Zoom!  ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~  This year’s Expo theme is “The Power of Hemp & Cannabis” and this year’s Expo will encompass all aspects of hemp and cannabis. On Thursday, May 19th, there will be a pre-Expo networking event at the Radisson.  On Friday, May 20th, we will focus on business-to-business activities and education. On Saturday, May 21st, the Expo Hall opens with free admission to the public as well as a variety of free educational content.  For more information about the Midwest iHemp Expo on May 20-21, 2022, you can visit the website at MidwestiHempExpo.com.

We will be joined by Kim Croes and Rachel Berry to talk about the use of Hemp-Lime (hempcrete) in the building. Jacob Waddell of the USHBA will also provide an update on the recent ICC trials. Both Kim and Rachel have hands-on experience building with hemp. On Saturday, April 30th you can get your hands dirty in Hemp Lime at our demonstration as Roman Vyskocil helps us build a hemp dog house! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ This year’s Expo theme is “The Power of Hemp & Cannabis” and this year’s Expo will encompass all aspects of hemp and cannabis. On Friday May 20th, we will focus on business-to-business activities and education. On Saturday, May 21st, the Expo Hall opens with free admission to the public as well as a variety of free educational content. For more information about the Midwest iHemp Expo on May 20-21, 2022, you can visit the website at MidwestiHempExpo.com.

ABKO Labs is an ISO 17025 certified cannabis testing facility located in Warren, dedicated to providing its clients with accurate results in a prompt manner.  Its high-touch service and standards ensure its clients succeed from seed to sale. On the show, ABKO’s Lab Director, Josh Smith, has more than 15 years of experience in pharmaceutical R&D and highly regulated clinical fields. He has been running Hemp, CBD and Cannabis labs since 2018. Josh also sits on the method development committees of the ASTM and AOAC.

On this week's episode of the iHemp Hour, we speak with Bob Moore of https://bobmoorefinancing.com/ in Oklahoma. Bob is an avid fan of the hemp industry and is actively working with companies in the US and Canada. Learn about the unique challenges and what to avoid when financing your hemp business.

Founded the same year the US Farm Bill legalized the production of industrial hemp, Homeland Hempcrete entered the market utilizing the traditional cast-in-place build method.  After years of trial and error, Homeland Hempcrete decided there must be a more effective solution that will decrease install time and get more hempcrete to more customers.  The solution they have embraced is pre-made, pre-cured, high-quality modular hemp panels, which allow for consistent quality, customized design, variety of finishes, quick and easy install, and finishes can be applied immediately after installation.  Learn more about Homeland Hempcrete here: Homeland Hempcrete.

Jacob Waddell is the Interim Executive Director of the US Hemp Building Association. He has been working with the USHBA for two years.  Before this challenge, he has worked for a testing lab, as a musician, as an engineer and program manager in marine and automotive parts manufacturing companies, and as COO of Ology Essentials — a CBD cosmetics company.   Learn more about the USHBA here: USHBA.   ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~   This year’s Expo theme is “The Power of Hemp & Cannabis” and this year’s Expo will encompass all aspects of hemp and cannabis.   On Friday, May 20th, we will focus on business-to-business activities and education.   On Saturday, May 21st, the Expo hall opens with free admission to the public as well as a variety of free educational content.   For more information about the Midwest iHemp Expo on May 20-21, 2022, you can visit the website at MidwestiHempExpo.com.   Cooking with Hemp! Check out our many Hemp recipes that have been shared on the iHemp Hour.   Have a recipe you would like to share?  

Because of recent regulation changes in Michigan with the MRA becoming the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA), and parts of the industrial hemp regulation being moved from MDARD to the CRA, we have Andrew Brisbo, the Executive Director of the MRA on this week’s iHemp Hour to answer questions about those recent changes. If you have questions you would like addressed by Director Brisbo, send them to info@ihempmichigan.com. Director Brisbo was appointed by Governor Whitmer to lead Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) in April 2019. In addition to overseeing licensing and regulation for the medical and adult-use marijuana industries in Michigan, the MRA also runs the state’s medical marijuana registry card program. MRA’s mission is to establish Michigan as the national model for a regulatory program that stimulates business growth while preserving safe consumer access to marijuana. Andrew has worked in licensing and regulation with the State of Michigan since 2004, including with the Michigan Gaming Control Board, Department of State, and occupational and health professional licensing. Andrew is also active in the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA), a national organization of more than 40 US state and territorial regulatory agencies that provide policymakers and regulatory agencies with the resources to make informed decisions when considering how to approach the legalization and regulation of cannabis. He currently serves as CANNRA’s president, having been elected to the role in 2021. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ This year’s Expo theme is “The Power of Hemp & Cannabis” and this year’s Expo will encompass all aspects of hemp and cannabis. On Friday, May 20th, we will focus on business-to-business activities and education. On Saturday, May 21st, the Expo hall opens with free admission to the public as well as a variety of free educational content. For more information about the Midwest iHemp Expo on May 20-21, 2022, you can visit the website at MidwestiHempExpo.com.

Because of recent regulation changes in Michigan, we have asked Americans for Safe Access to join us at this year’s Expo. The mission of Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is to ensure safe and legal access to cannabis (marijuana) for therapeutic use and research.  This year’s Expo theme is “The Power of Hemp & Cannabis” and this year’s Expo will encompass all aspects of hemp and cannabis.  On Friday, May 20th, we will focus on business-to-business activities and education.  On Saturday, May 21st, the Expo hall opens with free admission to the public as well as a variety of free educational content.  Brandy Zink is a Cannabis Activist – AND a medical cannabis patient advocate AND an educator. She has served as the former Executive Director of both the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association and the Ohio Patient Action Network.  She has worked closely with Americans for Safe Access, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, and other cannabis organizations since 2000.  Today, Brandy continues to work to protect patient rights through organizing the ASA, Michigan Chapter. Politically Active for a myriad of social justice issues, she has cultivated positive relationships with community leaders, professionals, legislators, their staff, and other influential policymakers at all levels.  You can learn more about Americans for Safe Access here: ASA.

Jeff is known for his ‘real-life experience in the field as a pedigreed Hemp seed grower and having a strong applied research background providing benchmarks in the hemp industry. Jeff has assisted in the success of producers, Industry, and colleagues in the burgeoning hemp industry over the last 23 years.  Jeff studied Agriculture at the University of Manitoba and in 2012 obtained a BGS from Athabasca University where he graduated with distinction. He is a Certified Crop Advisor and is a member of the Manitoba Institute of Agrologists. Jeff is the Chair of the National Hemp variety Testing committee with the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance, and also the chair of the Seed and Grain Committee, with the Hemp Industries Association in America.

Annie Rouse is co-founder and COO of OP Innovates, innovative formulations and sustainable manufacturing company offering improved bioavailability through its patent-pending organic delivery system, Naturia+™.  OP Innovates offers Naturia+ in bulk and private/white label services and through its brands including Hemp Mellow, Overcome, and Anavii Relief.  Annie wrote and produced the podcast series “Anslinger: The untold cannabis conspiracy” and is on the Board of Directors of Friends of Hemp and the Hemp Industries Association. She has an MBA and Masters's in international environmental policy.  To explore more about Annie and her journey visit her blog, Think Hempy Thoughts.

Carbon credits are rapidly developing in the US, and hemp and other specialty crops are especially suited for the challenge of sequestering carbon in US soils.  PanXchange’s carbon program is farmer-friendly and uniquely suited for hemp carbon credits. They aim to educate hemp participants about how carbon programs operate and inform the world that they are already working with hemp industry leaders and ready for more!  Follow PanXchange here: PanXchange.

Jody has worked for membership nonprofits for more than 20 years, helping organizations to transform in order to better serve their members and their missions.  He is passionate about the potential for hemp to bring value to rural communities, help heal the planet, and open opportunities to underserved communities. Follow The Hemp Industries Association here: HIA.

iHemp Michigan is a member-based organization representing hemp farmers, seed cultivators, processors, manufacturers, and hemp businesses statewide. Our members are engaged in defining industrial hemp’s path to success, from seed to sale and beyond. We are committed to empowering hemp farmers, fueling industry leaders, and educating consumers to ensure hemp flourishes in the Midwest. We work to promote responsible and fair regulation, provide grower education, and enable full access to the evolving marketplace. iHemp Michigan advocates for wellness in people and the planet through hemp…and it begins with the farmer. 🔊 Visit our website for more information about iHemp Michigan and to join the cause  iHemp Michigan broadcasts a weekly live streaming video show to help anyone involved with Industrial Hemp succeed. The show airs live each Thursday at noon and is hosted by IHemp Michigan’s Blain Becktold and Dave Crabill with special guest host Mike Brennan, Editor of Michigan Marijuana Report. The iHemp Hour will feature topics relevant to the industrial hemp industry. “We are committed to providing critically needed information and updates during these unprecedented times,” said Blain Becktold of iHemp Michigan. 🔊  Learn more by watching past iHemp Hour shows

Scott Colville Crop Insurance’s mission is the same today as when Jim Colville started back in 1967: To help farmers sleep better, regardless of what nature throws their way.  The Colville family has been insuring crops for small to medium farmers in the Midwest region since 1967. The level of personal customer service the Colville family built its business on continues to be their number one priority. They will happily come to your home or farm to discuss your insurance needs in detail and design a custom insurance plan that gets you the highest net crop insurance revenue possible.  Scott Colville Crop Insurance works with insurance providers that have over 400 years of combined experience in insuring crops for U.S. farmers. They are currently licensed in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Texas, Tennessee, California, and Florida.  Follow Scott Colville Crop Insurance here: Colville Crop.

iHemp Michigan is a member-based organization representing hemp farmers, seed cultivators, processors, manufacturers, and hemp businesses statewide. Our members are engaged in defining industrial hemp’s path to success, from seed to sale and beyond. We are committed to empowering hemp farmers, fueling industry leaders, and educating consumers to ensure hemp flourishes in the Midwest. We work to promote responsible and fair regulation, provide grower education, and enable full access to the evolving marketplace. iHemp Michigan advocates for wellness in people and the planet through hemp…and it begins with the farmer. 🔊 Visit our website for more information about iHemp Michigan and to join the cause  iHemp Michigan broadcasts a weekly live streaming video show to help anyone involved with Industrial Hemp succeed. The show airs live each Thursday at noon and is hosted by IHemp Michigan’s Blain Becktold and Dave Crabill with special guest host Mike Brennan, Editor of Michigan Marijuana Report. The iHemp Hour will feature topics relevant to the industrial hemp industry. “We are committed to providing critically needed information and updates during these unprecedented times,” said Blain Becktold of iHemp Michigan. 🔊  Learn more by watching past iHemp Hour shows

Heartland Industries is a biotech company that engineers hemp fibers as additives to plastics. Heartland’s hemp additives make plastics stronger, lighter, cheaper, and more sustainable.  The Heartland team focuses on creating a reliable supply chain of carbon-negative hemp materials that can be leveraged by manufacturers across market sectors.  Almost everything that can be seen or touched is made from plastic, rubber, foam, wood, paper, ceramic, and building materials.  Follow Heartland here: Heartland Industries.  Join us in the Zoom webinar for live Q&A and networking.  Also available live-streamed on FB, YouTube, and ihempmichigan.com.

iHemp Michigan is a member-based organization representing hemp farmers, seed cultivators, processors, manufacturers, and hemp businesses statewide. Our members are engaged in defining industrial hemp’s path to success, from seed to sale and beyond. We are committed to empowering hemp farmers, fueling industry leaders, and educating consumers to ensure hemp flourishes in the Midwest. We work to promote responsible and fair regulation, provide grower education, and enable full access to the evolving marketplace. iHemp Michigan advocates for wellness in people and the planet through hemp…and it begins with the farmer. 🔊 Visit our website for more information about iHemp Michigan and to join the cause  iHemp Michigan broadcasts a weekly live streaming video show to help anyone involved with Industrial Hemp succeed. The show airs live each Thursday at noon and is hosted by IHemp Michigan’s Blain Becktold and Dave Crabill with special guest host Mike Brennan, Editor of Michigan Marijuana Report. The iHemp Hour will feature topics relevant to the industrial hemp industry. “We are committed to providing critically needed information and updates during these unprecedented times,” said Blain Becktold of iHemp Michigan. 🔊  Learn more by watching past iHemp Hour shows