Tag: Carbon Negative

4th Annual Hemp Harvest Party!

After 4 years the US hemp industry is finally starting to lose its baby-fat… Look how many more farmers and how many more acres of hemp were grown in Colorado and across the U.S. in just a single year!

At the 4^th Annual Hemp Harvest Party, on Saturday, October 14^th you can experience the living U.S. hemp movement in action, presented by Lilu’s Garden.

Join industry leaders CoHempCo and Colorado Hemp Project as they host at the Oak Room at Oskar Blues Brewery in Longmont, CO, from 8pm-midnight to celebrate “an industry of trail blazers and leaders who have worked hard to accelerate the progress made during this year’s planting, growing and harvesting season.”

Growers, processors, distributors, and even users are all pioneers in the hemp movement. Enjoy live entertainment with big screen hemp movies, network with hemp enthusiasts, and satisfy in amazing Oskar Blues beer flavors, hemp mulled wines, whiskey and vodka. Grab a special hemp cappuccino or latte from SteepFuze, and savor tasty hemp baklava desserts from Satya Creative.

Meet Chef Kent of Z-Catering who will be creating special hemp-harvested goodies for purchase, featuring “Hemp Rocks” a German-style krautburger made with farm-to-fork fresh veggies and meats, spiced with a hemp-infusion, and topped with Colorado Hemp Company’s Hemp Green Chili. (Vegan and GF Options)

The hemp industry itself is gaining weight quickly with more consistent planting of stable genetics; its firming-up muscle from another season of harvesting and processing; and more and more knowledge and experiences are gained and shared each day.

The Oak Room is a wonderfully-warm event space with lots of tall solid tables, leather cushion booths, and high brewery ceilings. Purchase tickets today as this event is always a lot of fun and generally sells out!

Right now, we are all pioneers in the movement. We are all leaders in our own individual hemp projects. We all have something to offer.

Come celebrate and encourage each other as equals in the larger hemp community. For right now, the success of the community depends not on just one person, but on the endurance of all its members.

Thomas Ivory, Jr.

October 11, 2017
Shop Eco-Conscious Fashion at NoCo Hemp Expo 4

Don’t let all the other exciting and innovative uses for hemp at NoCo Hemp Expo 4 distract you. Even though hemp textiles and fashion have been around for a long time (millennia in fact!), wearing your hemp is still an excellent way to support the industry while enjoying a superior product over cotton.

To highlight the importance of hemp fashion and introduce consumers to some of the many innovative companies making high quality hemp clothing and other goods, NoCo 4 has created a Fashion Alley where you can pick out the latest in hemp gear. If you follow the “green carpet” down to the interactive green screen you can vogue it up and get your picture taken in your new hemp gear thanks to the Digital Workshop Center.

While cotton has been the undisputed textile king for the past several hundred years (for sometimes controversial reasons), the challenges of growing and processing cotton have taken a toll on the environment and have made alternative fabrics an urgent need for our planet.

Cotton uses 50% more water to grow as hemp (and 4 times as much once production is factored in!) which is leading to water scarcity and even desertification in some places where cotton is grown.
Hemp plants can be grown very close together which means a greater yield in addition to eliminating the need for herbicides due to the inability of weeds to compete with such a densely grown crop.
Cotton needs twice as much land to produce the same amount of fiber as hemp and accounts for 25% of all pesticide use worldwide.

And this just scratches the surface! Hemp is also much more durable than cotton and just as versatile, which means longer lasting clothes. These facts alone make hemp a better choice for the eco conscious consumer looking to break free from the low-quality fast fashion culture of today.

Furthermore, hemp clothing is great for the whole family. Kristen Kunau, co-owner of Freida Farms and avid hemp consumer, says, “I love that I feel good when my family wears hemp because it doesn’t destroy the earth, it lasts forever, and when it’s worn in it gets really soft and comfy.”

While you may not find much in the way of hemp clothing at your local mall just yet, a quick internet search will lead you to a vast array of hemp clothing options. Many makers are selling their wares via company websites and Etsy, such as some of the retailers that will be at the NoCo Hemp Expo like Satori Movement, Hemptique, Recreator, and many others.

Fashion Alley is sponsored by Hempy’s and EnviroTextiles. Hempy’s sells 100% hemp products that are 100% made in America. They offer hemp t-shirts, hats, wallets, craft supplies, and even jeans! One of their core values is long-term sustainability in all aspects of what they do and they have a total commitment to environmental consciousness and workforce responsibility.

EnviroTextiles is a pioneer in sustainable textiles, specializing in hemp and other natural fibers. They are industry leaders in the effort to improve corporate responsibility and transparency in manufacturing processes and labeling. They currently provide wholesale hemp fabric and finished promotional products to over 65 countries.

These companies are on the forefront of the growing hemp clothing market. Buying hemp textiles and fashion is a great way to make an ecological choice (and look great too!). Be sure to visit the Fashion Alley at this years NoCo Hemp Expo to see the cutting edge styles and pick up a few essentials to round out your wardrobe.

Laurie Hanselmann is a writer, nonprofit management guru, and lover of the natural world. She enjoys exploring how to find more meaning and connection in her life as a ‘Type B’ person through self improvement and productivity hacks. You can find her at persistentlybetter.com.

March 27, 2017
Hemp Harvest Party: A Celebration of the Season

By: Thomas Ivory – Colorado’s third harvest of regulated outdoor industrial hemp is soon complete, just like the dwindling hot days of summer. The cool autumn nights ask for much work still to be done, but time for celebrating the bounty of hard work and dedication is also appreciated.

We are lucky in Colorado to have grown as a community and industry in so many prosperous and innovative ways over the past few years. Our continued professionalism is more than setting an example for other States; it is creating aristocratic conversation for all States and governments to participate.

Let us not forget those less fortunate by continuing support for individual and State rights to grow industrial hemp and uphold the constitutions and the Bill of Rights.

To celebrate Colorado’s (and the whole country’s) 2016 outdoor industrial hemp harvest, Colorado Hemp Company and Colorado Hemp Project is hosting its third annual Hemp Harvest Party!

They are collecting pictures from the 2016 season, from planting to harvesting, to be displayed in a video released at the party.

The hemp harvest of 2014 in Sterling, Colorado, with Bill Billings and his daughter Dani, set the stage for the first CHC harvest party. This event was epic — right out on the farmland, hemp field swaying directly behind live musicians, skateboarders on a half-pipe, hemp vendors under shade, and in the middle of it all: a hemp maze.

Walnut Room in Denver brought the party to the city in 2015. Now, more of the State was represented with easier access to the countrywide celebration. CHC honored all industrial hemp participants by gathering photos of the second year’s outdoor hemp season and presenting a video at the party.

The capitol city was so good to the Hempsters last year that CoHempCo is excited to host again the third annual Hemp Harvest Party 2016 at the Globe Hall in Denver, Colorado, Friday, October 14th, from 8pm-close. This will be an intimate opportunity to network, listen to live music, watch a photo-video, and celebrate the progress of sustainable agriculture.

The Taylor Scott Band will be headlining the party featuring Dave Beegle. Check out the sound recently recorded in Old Town, Fort Collins, by RAYBURN MEDIA. Also taking the stage will be Rob Drabkin, and Colorado local Rob Trueblood (who has opened the event the past two years) will again grace the stage first.

General admission and sponsorship tickets are on sale now. Get them online HERE

Again, we are blessed in Colorado to have a conscientious community where we demand our statewide right to grow industrial hemp and practice sustainable agriculture. Lets celebrate together and show the rest of the country there are gifts and rewards from our communal efforts.

And please remember, for the industry to function properly, we need the whole country participating in progressive living. Contact State representatives; e-mail Senators, Congressmen, Lobbyist; sign petitions to let those in charge know: the people of America want healthier and happier lives. We want to grow industrial hemp.

October 10, 2016
The Rebirth of Industrial Hemp: Processing and Bio-refineries
Hemp is on the rise today, and facilities like Pure Hemp Technology and contributing to what Carl Lehrburger calls, “the thrust of the hemp revolution”.

By: Abbie Marks
With the passing of the federal Farm Bill and supporting state pilot programs, local businesses are providing farmers an opportunity in industrial hemp while manufacturing eco-friendly products.

Pure Hemp Technology, a hemp processing plant and bio-refinery located in Fort Lupton, CO is doing just that, promoting sustainable agriculture by converting industrial hemp into useable products.

As of last year, Colorado Department of Agriculture reported 3,675 acres of hemp grown in 2016, nearly tripling in volume of growing space and in number of participants last year. According to the National Hemp Association, hemp farming nationwide grew 1,000% in 2015.

Hemp farmers are driving the demand for companies like Pure Hemp Technology to process hemp today.

In this video with Ed Lehrburger, Founder of Pure Hemp Technology and Dani Billings, Co-Founder of Colorado Hemp Project and Nature’s Root discuss the role of the hemp plant in Colorado’s’ booming agricultural economy.

“Processing represents the thrust of the hemp revolution.” –Carl Lehrburger, Executive Manager of Pure Hemp Technology

Pure Hemp Technology is a wet processing plant which distinguishes them in their approach and represents a key “central supply chain” that simply doesn’t exist for whole plant processing.

(media credit: www.purehemptech.com)

This allows plants like Pure Vision to refine hemp into higher value products and strains in addition to fiber, pulps for paper, and other materials like lignin which consists of 20% of the plant. These materials are processed into several applications from chemicals and plastics to sugars, sweeteners, alcohol, and more.

Pure Vision/Pure Hemp Technology is a registered R&D facility in Colorado, producing different grades of pulps and stalks/hurd, long fibers, into useful products for green businesses.

Processing these co-products into these higher value products is critical to growing hemp.

“A company looking into textiles, processing, seed, etc, that only represents a fraction (of the market value),” says Lehrburger, “it makes growing it (hemp) more valuable (for American farmers).”

Facilities like Pure Hemp Technology provide farmers a means to commodify their harvest as well as readily available sustainable alternatives and to everyday consumer goods.

“Farmers have to be successful, pricing of commodities has to also be successful to buy seed, specialized equipment, etc.”

In light of the decline in opportunity and the challenges faced by Rural American farmers today, Lehrburger discussed the potential for jobs not only in the growing and agricultural sectors but in processing and manufacturing.

“The start of the hemp industry seems to represents a significant opportunity for revitalizing rural America, where the bigger picture is replacing oil-based products with bio-based products.”

In this article from Environmental Health News, Jessica Knoblauch reports that “evidence is mounting that the chemical building blocks that make plastics so versatile are the same components that might harm people and the environment. And its production and disposal contribute to an array of environmental problems.” 1.

Supporting the Industrial Hemp Farming Act, urging businesses to consider go green, and reaching out to congress is a huge push away from plastics and a way to help surge the rebirth of industrial hemp.

For more information on hemp processing and bio-refineries like Pure Hemp Technology, join Ed Lerhburger and Carl Lerhburger at NoCo Hemp Expo on April 1-2 at The Ranch Events Complex in Loveland, CO. Ed will be speaking at the Let’s Talk Hemp stage along with several key industry experts and business leaders during Saturday, April 2. To learn more about the expo and view a full schedule of events click here!
1. Knoblauch, Jessica A. “The Environmental Toll of Plastics.” Environmental Health News. N.p., 2 July 2009. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.
April 1, 2016
Driving Hemp into the Future: BMW Goes Biodegradable

Lighter-weight, fuel-efficient vehicles with hemp are right down the road.

By: Brad Shannon

Why use hemp to make automobiles? For a number of reasons. Hemp is lighter than steel or fiberglass, resists dents and is not brittle like carbon fiber, and it is biodegradable. Most importantly, hemp is carbon negative, says Bruce Dietzen of Renew Sports Cars.

(BMW door panel – media credit: Redspiderfish/Flickr)

Work is ongoing in Australia and Europe to create plant-based materials to replace parts that today use plastic and metal. A reduction in weight of 30% for such parts provides an instant boost in fuel economy, with a higher strength-to-weight ratio than steel. When it reaches the end of its useful life, just bury it and let it biodegrade.

You may have come across the story of Henry Ford’s hemp car online. Unfortunately, it seems that there is a lot of myth to that tale, according to The Angry Historian – at least when it comes to how much of the car was actually made of hemp. Rather, the plastic body panels used standard resin binder combined with natural materials such as hemp fiber as fill material. That popular image of Ford taking a whack at a car with an axe? It was a soybean-based material.

(media credit: Ford archives)

A sleeker, safer, faster modern take on a hemp car is a slick sports car built on a Mazda Miata chassis by Dietzen. The car’s body is made of hemp, and runs on biofuel that is a closed carbon loop in that it does not add any new carbon to the atmosphere when burned. It made an appearance down the road from us in Denver late last year. The next big step, it appears, could be vehicles with 3D printed hemp bodies; but some find it hard to beat the Lotus Eco Elise prototype from the 2008 British Motor Show, or the i3 and i8 concepts from BMW that incorporated hemp.

(media credit: Renew Sports Cars)

If you’re like most, though, your budget may run more along the lines of the electric Kestrel with hemp body panels promised by Calgary, Canada-based Motiv Industries (a neighboring market with more enlightened views on hemp cultivation that puts companies there at an advantage).

(media credit: Motiv Industries)

Not ready for a hemp-based car body? How about a nicer, more natural interior? Mercedes led the industry with jute-based door panels in its E-class, and BMW and Audi VW have followed in the use of plant fibers in their vehicles.

(media credit: Lotus)

Learn more about hemp and its future in the automotive and other industries from a wide variety of experts at the NoCo Hemp Expo 2016 at The Ranch Events Complex in Loveland, CO April 1-2.

March 31, 2016
The Future of Sustainable Building: Eco-Friendly Insulation, HempCrete and More

John Patterson of Tiny Hemp Homes and Joy Beckerman of Hemp Ace International describe how hemp is an ideal material for construction and see its application in commercial and home building growing in 2016.

By: Brad Shannon

Hemp as a building material has roots that stretch back millennia. Buildings constructed thousands of years ago using hemp still stand today at Ellora Caves in India, a testament to the plant’s suitability and durability as a construction material.

“Hemp as a building material is not a new idea,” notes Joy Beckerman of Hemp Ace International. “It’s an ancient trend proven over thousands of years, and there’s no need for new research to find ways to use it – we already know.”

Including the long list of benefits from green building, the versatility and sustainability of hemp is perhaps best showcased in the myriad ways it can be used as a building material today.

John Patterson of Tiny Hemp Houses notes that “A hemp wall replaces the combination of drywall, insulation, exterior boarding, house wrap, siding, caulk and paint all in one thermal wall system. It’s great at keeping a more comfortable constant temperature, is fire resistant, breathable, mold-, pest- and mildew-resistant, and over time extremely affordable.”

This helps create a home where, as Sergiy Kovalenkov’s company Hempire UA notes, hemp insulation and a high thermal mass helps regulate temperature and humidity to reduce heating and cooling costs; hemp materials create naturally vapor-permeable walls reduce or eliminate the need for ventilation; and hemp helps create a quiet living space that is non-flammable, resists mold and mildew, and repels pests. Using natural materials eliminates the possibility of toxic off-gassing from manmade materials, which could have a positive impact on our health.

(Hemp stalks showing the interior hurd media credit: HempCrete WorkShops)

Beyond being a versatile building material, using hemp for building is also good for the earth. Growing hemp helps not only reduce CO2 emissions, but actively removes CO2 from the air.

(Hemp hurd ready for use media credit: HempCrete Workshops)

Tiny Hemp Homes notes that industrial hemp is only grown on about 100,000 hectares globally, producing a crop valued at about $600 billion across industries that use hemp as a raw material.

That market will no doubt grow in the footsteps of what Beckerman describes as “a tremendous surge in projects globally and in the U.S., including commercial projects like the Marks & Spencer Cheshire Oaks store and The Triangle Project, a 40-unit housing complex, both in the UK. They use much less energy than traditional construction, and that is one thing that is making this something that is not just for tiny homes or pods.”

(HempCrete, Hemp Insulation, and Hemp Chip Board media credit: HempCrete Workshops)

Learn more about building with hemp from local, national, and global experts like Frank Wetenkamp, a Natural Building Professional with Tiny Hemp Houses, Joy Beckerman of Hemp Ace International, John Patterson of Tiny Hemp Houses, Sergiy Kovalenkov of Hempire UA, David Neisingh of Reakiro Labs, Anndrea Hermann of Hemp Technologies and many others at NoCo Hemp Expo 2016 at The Ranch Events Complex in Loveland, CO April 1-2.

In particular, don’t miss the Building with Hemp sessions featuring all of these folks in a panel discussion. Plan to catch one of these sessions:

April 1

Hempcrete Mixing with a Natural Plaster Finish
1:00 to 2:30 pm on the Quicksilver Scientific Workshop Stage

April 2

Hempcrete Mixing with a Natural Plaster Finish
Noon to 1:30 pm on the Quicksilver Scientific Workshop Stage

2:45 to 3:25 pm in the Hemp Business Journal Summit Room

(media credit: HempCrete Workshops)

March 28, 2016
Introducing the NoCo Hemp Expo HempWall!

By: Rachel Jackson

2016 has been a monumental year for hemp, and especially big for the NoCo Hemp Expo! As the largest, smartest hemp expo in the country, we want to connect our message with people in every way we can. That’s why this year the NoCo Hemp Expo is unveiling a brand new interactive social media platform, the Tweetwall!

Affectionately dubbed the HempWall, think of it as your interactive information stand. Throughout the Expo, we’ll be broadcasting the next big event, speaker, or panel happening up on screens all over the Expo! So when you are looking for the next hempcentric activity, look no further than the HempWall! You’ll be totally connected to everything happening around you, so you’ll want to check back frequently to make sure you’re not missing a thing.

But that’s not the whole reason we’re doing this. This is the 3rd year of the NoCo Hemp Expo, and we never would have gotten here if not for the loving support of all our attendees and volunteers. Without you we never would have gotten to be the biggest, baddest hemp expo in the country, and this year we want the spotlight to be on you! So we want to see YOU while you’re sampling, cooking, painting, jamming or just having fun at the #nocohempexpo! And we’re doing that through the magic of our HempWall.

It’s pretty simple. Log in to your Twitter account, follow @NoCoHemp, and simply tag your photo, thought, or friends with the hashtag #nocohempexpo. It will automatically pop up on the HempWall, which is being projected up on screens all over the Expo! So when you snap a selfie with Ben Franklin, or find your new favorite hemp snack, put it on Twitter and hashtag #nocohempexpo, so everyone can see! Maybe you’ll even see someone you know.

Nowhere near a Hempwall screen? Check your pocket. The Tweetwall also works on your mobile phone, if you pull up the website on your smartphone you’ve got the #nocohempexpo right in your hand. Send the link to your friend who couldn’t make it, and they can watch the #nocohempexpo livestream in front of their eyes. It’s almost as much fun as being there (almost.)

You can check out the HempWall in action over at nocohempexpo.tweetwally.com. Get those Twittering fingers ready, and we can’t wait to see you April 1st and 2nd!

Another great reason to check out the wall? We’re also going to be livetweeting the event! Think of it like your interactive information stand, we’ll keep you updated on speakers, panelists, workshops and more! You’ll want to check back to the screens frequently so you don’t miss a thing, and really get the whole expo experience!

March 28, 2016
How Building With Hemp Can Help Curb Climate Change
Between the manufacture of building materials, transportation of those materials and construction equipment, energy use and worker transportation, along with the final disposal of construction waste, the United States building sector is becoming one of the world’s largest threats to climate change.

Did you know?
- Half of the world’s energy goes into buildings throughout their lifetime – from construction, through use, and finally demolition.
- Buildings, and the construction and use of those buildings, also contribute to almost half of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions.
- Transporting the materials to a building site constitutes 6-8% of total greenhouse gas emissions for a project.
- Construction is one of the largest consumers of raw materials, using 25 percent of the world’s timber.
- The manufacture of concrete and reinforced steel account for 94-95% of greenhouse gas emissions for construction materials.
The U.S. Green Building Council reports that not only does the United States commercial and residential building sector consume 70 percent of electricity, but accounts for 39 percent of all CO2 emissions produced. In fact, U.S. buildings alone are said to be responsible for more carbon emissions annually than those of any other country, except China.

Hempcrete is made of the inner woody core of the hemp plant (called shiv or hurd) mixed with a lime-based binder and water. It is environmentally friendly, non-toxic, energy-efficient and resistant to fires, mold and insects.

Hempcrete, and other hemp building materials, have the ability to transform the building sector into a more energy-efficient and climate-friendly industry, playing a major role in reducing our ecological footprint. Here’s how.

Manufacturing

The manufacture of concrete and reinforced steel accounts for 94-95 percent of greenhouse gas emissions produced from construction materials. These materials are often made using poisonous chemicals and continue to release toxins into the environment even after the buildings are constructed.

Contrary to these traditional construction materials, hemp is typically a low-maintenance, fast-growing agricultural crop that thrives in both temperate and tropical climates. While it grows, it absorbs carbon emissions and helps replenish the soil with nutrients. Once mature, it can be harvested and processed into a concrete-like mixture called hempcrete.

Hemp processing is much less destructive to the environment than traditional concrete production. It requires less energy to produce, and it is a sustainable, annually renewable industrial resource.

HempFlax is a company focused on the production and processing of sustainable resources, semi-finished and finished products made from ecologically grown fibre hemp and flax. They discourage unnecessary logging and deforestation by producing hemp wood for paper, construction material, sawdust and many other environmentally damaging consumer goods.

Transportation

Manufacturing building materials that are then transported to a building site to be constructed into a final structure, all emit large amounts of greenhouse gases and consume increasing quantities of energy. To reduce transportation costs and increase efficiency, hemp is often grown in close vicinity to the production facilities.

On farm processing methods have also been explored in an effort to decrease these costs. Hypothetically, all processing and transportation equipment could run on hemp biodiesel – but that’s down the road.

Pictured above: The Nauhaus Prototype Project, a hempcrete home in Asheville, North Carolina. Click here to learn more about our stay in The Nauhaus!

Construction

Hemp can replace traditional construction materials like concrete, timber, and steel with applications like hempcrete and other hemp-based construction materials like hemp fiberboard and hemp insulation.

Hempcrete is lightweight, non-toxic, and biodegradeable. It is usually mixed on-site, although precast walls and blocks are also available. Building with hempcrete offers design flexibility, because it has the ability to form around any shape, then set and support its own weight.

Energy Usage

A significant amount of emissions come from the combustion of fossil fuels to provide heating, cooling and lighting, and to power appliances and electrical equipment. Hempcrete regulates temperature and humidity; in some cases completely eliminating the need for heating and cooling systems, resulting in noticeable energy savings.

“Hempcrete is used as an environmental barrier for providing resistance to heat transfer and managing moisture of the building envelope,” says Kris J. Dick, an associate professor in the Department of Biosystems Engineering at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg and director of Alternative Village, its construction research facility. “Engineers and architectural designers practicing in the field of nonconventional material applications have clearly indicated a need for more design data regarding hempcrete.”

As time passes, the strength of hempcrete has shown to increase. The lime-binding agent that is mixed with the hemp hurd calcifies and gets harder over time. The average hempcrete building is expected to last several hundred years.

Pictured above: John Patterson from Tiny Hemp Homes showing Kentucky Hempsters, Kirstin Bohnert, his latest project in Berthoud, Colorado. Click here to learn more about our visit with John and his Tiny Hemp Home in CO !

What to learn more about Hempcrete?

Industry leaders and experts will gather together on April 1-2 in Loveland, Colorado for the NoCo Hemp Expo, the largest hemp-centric event in the country. Join John Patterson and Frank Wetenkamp from Tiny Hemp Homes for a “Building with Hemp” workshop from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm on April 1 or 12:00 – 1:30 pm on April 2.

Be sure to sign-up for our mailing list for future hempcrete building workshops this season!

—

Sources

Image source (top): https://www.facebook.com/alembicstudio/photos/a.1018396308179468.1073741829.150498734969234/1138901149462316/?type=3&theater

https://helix.northwestern.edu/blog/2011/03/construction-has-costly-carbon-footprint

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/10/hempcrete-hemp-house_n_1506662.html

http://www.eesi.org/files/climate.pdfhttp://www.collective-evolution.com/2013/02/03/hempcrete-worlds-strongest-building-material/http://hempflax.com/en/what-is-hemp/hemp-processing

https://www.asme.org/engineering-topics/articles/construction-and-building/green-alternative-to-insulation-materials

http://hempflax.com/
March 26, 2016
Growers and Natural Food Companies Seek Local Hemp Seed

Matt Birkholz, President of Colorado Hemp Works discusses how the Hemp Bill in Colorado has evolved the need for seed processing in the U.S.

By: Thomas Ivory, Jr.

Industrial Hemp seeds have a competitive nutritional value: second only to soy in protein, a better source of Omegas than fish oil, are dairy free, gluten free, vegan, non-GMO, and do not carry any allergens such as nut or tree-nut allergens.

“As the stigma begins to wear down that somehow people are going to get high by eating hemp seed,” said Matt Birkholz, president of Colorado Hemp Works, “you might start to discover that the hemp seed is a great alternative.”

Populations of vegetarians and vegans across the U.S. are steadily on the rise. The task of finding plant-based protein can be a challenge. For a long time, the best option has been soy. Hemp can be a great alternative that is more easily digestible by the human body.

Colorado Hemp Works, based out of Longmont, Colorado, is a local Industrial Hemp seed processing facility that aims at providing the best alternative product. “There are a good amount of natural food companies across the U.S. who have been using hemp in their products for years,” said Birkholz, “and there are new ones coming on-line all the time. Initially what we’re (CHW) looking at is trying to supply those types of companies with a fresher product.”

“Instead of the seed they buy from Canada, the hemp hearts or the by-products or the ingredients they buy, those seeds were processed months ago and in large batches, and then warehoused waiting for sale. Our business plan, our offering is: we bring the whole seed down to Colorado and we process it on-demand.”

“So, if a natural food company wants to make their product on a Thursday, we’ll spend Tuesday and Wednesday processing their seed, and deliver Wednesday night or Thursday morning, and get them the freshest product that they can possibly have.”

CHW takes the input of the whole seed and breaks it down, separating the seed shell casings from the hemp hearts, isolating and capturing each one. They currently dehull hemp seeds and have plans to bring in a commercial grade oil press.

Right now, there is a big difference in the price between international seed and Colorado seed, because of the availability, and the laws of bringing viable seed into the State. “Our plan was to rely upon international sourced seed, at least for the time being, and then migrate over to Colorado sourced seed as soon as the market was there,” said Birkholz. “We thought it was 2017, 2018, before farmers in Colorado would have enough seed where it would make sense for them to sell to somebody like me for food grade products; as opposed to selling seed to other farmers for the genetic value.

“What we’re finding, now that we’re operational and the word is starting to get out that we’re for real and we’re actually processing seed and the equipment is moving today, we’re finding a lot of farmers are starting to contact us.”

This year, there are farmers who are growing up to 1000 acres for food grade seed. That puts CHW ahead of schedule for what they predicted.

“We’re excited to be the first (hemp seed) processer, and currently the only de-sheller in the U.S., on a commercial scale,” said Birkholz. “We’re really excited to partner with Colorado farmers. And we’re really excited to be pushing this industry forward. We’re here to serve and we’re here to keep the industry moving.”

CHW is leading the industry in Industrial Hemp seed processing. This gives American companies, and American consumers, the best local products. Visit their website, coloradohempworks.com, to learn more.

“Hemp (oil) can go rancid quickly,” said Birkholz. “A lot of effort is put toward freshness. What is unique about us is the timing, and how close we can process to the time that our customers make their products.”

March 24, 2016
Going Green This Spring: Top Hemp Fashion Brands in 2016

Spring into Summer with Sustainable Hemp Fashion

One thing we’ve fallen in love with when it comes to hemp is the fashion! Long gone are the days of burlap sacks and hippie necklaces, we’re talking about top-notch designer digs and practical purchases that last a lifetime!

Not only does hemp production require much less water with little to no pesticides compared to cotton, it’s naturally better than any synthetic material.

As people become increasingly conscious about their purchasing decisions, we believe it’s important that hemp textiles are readily available. While the hemp textile industry is in need of further development here in the U.S., many companies located across the country are taking strides to make hemp mainstream and advocate for its commercialization. We’ve listed just a few of our favorite sustainable hemp fashion companies below that are making green the new black.

Pretty Birdie Co.

Stephanie Teague Trippe has defined high-class hemp fashion through her company, Pretty Birdie Co.From elegant wedding gowns to classic business attire, Stephanie offers women the look and feel we want on the inside, and on the outside!

With stunning, hand-sewn pieces made using a variety of hemp-blended materials, you can feel confident that your Pretty Birdie purchase is contributing to sustainable, more environmentally friendly practices.

Plus, her designs are phenomenal! Even catching the eye of four-time Grammy winning artist, Esperanza Spalding, who has been seen wearing Stephanie’s designs on multiple occasions.

We love our Pretty Birdie pieces and probably wear them too often – they really do fit better each time we wear them! The picture to the left is from last summer when we had a photo-shoot in one of the fields we worked with, showing off our Pretty Birdie outfits! Stephanie has recently expanded her company to include kids clothing and will rebrand with a launching of a new website, stay tuned!

Jungmaven

When it comes to being comfy and cool, Jungmaven has us covered! So far, the 60% hemp 40% cotton blend shirts have been our absolute favorite. We can even wear them in the field and the hemp doesn’t stick! The photo below was taken after transferring raw hemp material, and there’s no hemp anywhere on the shirt. Not to mention, it’s so airy and allows our bodies to breath while we work.

We can also throw them on with leggings and a cute scarf for an everyday outfit. Founder, Robert Jungmann, caters to men and women with a variety of simple, colorful, comfortable, yet versatile hemp shirts perfect for all activities.

Jungmaven’s vision is to have everyone in a hemp T-shirt by 2020 to help mitigate climate change.

We’ve got ours, Do you?!

Hemp Blue

Did you know at one point Kentucky produced a fabric called “Kentucky jeans” made from hemp? In fact, the first Levi Jeans were made using hemp canvas. Now, Hemp Blue is setting an all-new standard with a premium hemp denim line for men and women.

In December, the L.A. based company launched the Hemp Blue project through a Kickstarter campaign, which was successfully funded well over the goal of $25,000. We can’t wait to get our first pair of Hemp Blue jeans this Spring!

Recreator

Who doesn’t love hemp screen tees and sustainable apparel with funky fresh designs? Recreator is re-creating hemp fashion from L.A. with local production from experienced artisans who believe in high-quality, ecological standards. All shirts are dyed, cut and sewn with a distinct pride.

Minawear Hemp Lounge

Ladies, if you’re in the mood to move shop Minawear Hemp Lounge for hemp yoga pants, tops, sundresses and accessories perfect for getting out and moving about! Owner and Founder Mina Haggard prides herself in promoting health, education and care of the planet through her clothing.

Check us out rockin’ our hemp clothes at one of our events last year! Alyssa (pictured left) is wearing the olive spaghetti stap tunic from Minawear Hemp Lounge (see below) and Kirstin (pictured right) has on the flower of life design from Recreator!

Step’n-Out in Hemp at NoCo

Interested in learning more about hemp fashion? The NoCo Hemp Expo is hosting a Hemp Fashion Show on Saturday, April 2 at 3:00 pm in Loveland, Colorado at The Ranch Events Complex. Sponsored by Envirotextiles, Step’n-Out in Hemp offers a first-hand view into the world of sustainable, eco-friendly hemp fashions from the companies who are revolutionizing the textile industry today.

Enviortextiles has been leading the way in hemp fabric and textile production in Colorado and the United States since 2002. The mother-daughter duo, Barbara Filippone and Summer-Star Haekse have been long-committed to producing quality fibers and catalyzing the need for a “cotton” clothing upgrade.

Some of the companies mentioned above will be at the Expo for you to connect with! We look forward to seeing even more hemp fashion brands and expanding our hemp wardrobe. Go green with hemp this spring at NoCo Hemp Expo and join us on Saturday, April 2nd at 3:00 PM to support all things hemp and the much-needed movement towards sustainable clothing and textiles in the U.S.

For more information visit www.nocohempexpo.com.

March 18, 2016
Filling in The Gaps: A Sustainable Solution in Hemp Fabrics

Hot? Cold? Worried about infection? Wrap yourself in hemp!

By: Brad Shannon

Did you know? One of the oldest relics of human history is a piece of hemp fabric dating back to around 8,000 B.C. Betsy Ross is said to have sewn the first U.S. flag from hemp fabric, and the canvas used to make the first pair of Levi’s was even made from hemp fiber.

Today, what’s old is new again, as hemp textiles are being used to make countless items, from apparel to shoes to housewares to furniture upholstery.

The case for using hemp to make fabrics is clear. In addition to the benefits it provides from its growth cycle – enriching the soil and absorbing carbon dioxide from the air, hemp produces 250% more fiber per acre than cotton, 600% more than flax, and uses much less water than cotton to grow. Where cotton farmers use more insecticides than most any other crop grown, hemp uses very little in the way of chemicals for its cultivation.

Hemp Traders notes that hemp textiles were long used mainly in industrial applications, particularly in the age of sailing ships for canvas, rope, and more, because untreated hemp fiber is course and rough. This was a challenge when it came to making apparel and other material for home use. Older methods of softening plant fibers used acids and worked well on cotton and flax, but weakened hemp fiber and made it unusable.

In the 80s, a new enzyme-based process was created, preserving the quality of hemp fibers while softening and smoothing them, producing a better quality of fiber to blend with other fibers or use alone in textiles for clothing.

Whether in a coarse or more finished form, hemp dyes well, taking up and retaining color, breathes in warm weather and has insulating properties in cool weather.

As shown in various studies including “Comparative Study of the Resistance to Aspergillus Niger by Hemp, Cotton, and Flax,” by Bergh and Kitts, hemp has natural antibacterial/antimicrobial properties and is resistant to mold, making it a compelling material to use in products like Nuhni’s (none-eye’s) organic blankets and washcloths which can help to “prevent the spread of staph and pneumonia.”

Hemp is extremely durable and becomes softer over time through use, and is naturally flame resistant without adding chemicals.

(media credit: nuhni.com)

It can be blended with other fibers to achieve a desired feel and structure, incorporating the softness and flex of cotton or the unique smooth texture of silk. Hemp is also used alone to produce a broad variety of fabrics used in myriad products sold around the world.

EnviroTextiles, LLC, a Cultivator-level sponsor of the 2015 NoCo Hemp Expo based in Glenwood Springs, CO, manfactures and imports more than 100 different hemp fabrics from around the world. Founder and hemp textile expert Barbara Filippone has been bringing sustainable hemp into the U.S. for more than 20 years. They offer hemp canvas, twill, muslin, plain weaves, silk blends, jersey knits, fleece, specialty weaves and faux fur, apparel and heavy-duty, upholstery-weight fabrics. These fabrics, from China, Romania, eastern Europe and Mexico, are used by Ralph Lauren, Versace, Volkswagen and others worldwide.

To support the growing interest in the production of hemp-based clothing and household goods, EnviroTextiles offers immediate shipping with no minimums – either from their Colorado headquarters, or direct from the manufacturer to customers who place large production orders. Choose from dozens of unique hemp fabrics, including 100% hemp textiles and blends featuring a variety of other fibers. They also offer for finished clothing items including t-shirts, hoodies and socks, along with hemp towels and tote bags.

This month’s Outside magazine features a t-shirt from Jungmaven, a hemp-based clothing company whose founder Robert Jungman has been working with hemp textiles and natural dyes since 1993. Hemp’s durability plays a role in the current trend of the outdoor apparel industry which focuses on the longevity, indestructibility, and sustainability of the products being make.

Hemp and its history as a valuable fiber and textile in the U.S. has until now been “swept under the rug” by trivial policy. Prohibition on the cultivation of hemp has caused what Vital Hemp Founder Ron Alcalay calls, “a gap in our plant inheritance.” With recent changes in outdated hemp legislation, things are starting to look up for our one of the founding fibers.

Learn more about hemp fibers and textiles from companies like Envirotextiles, LLC, along with Vital Hemp, Jungmaven, and more at NoCo Hemp Expo 2016 at The Ranch Events Complex in Loveland, CO April 1-2.

March 18, 2016
Let’s talk Hemp Policy

Bringing Hemp Back to the U.S. Market: Advocating for Change in Public Policy

By: Hunter Buffington

This week The National Hemp Association brought together farmers, law professionals and entrepreneurs to talk about Hemp Policy. These are the pioneers forging the way in an industry new to Colorado and the United States for the first time in over 70 years. While it may seem that public policy supports the burgeoning Hemp industry; those pushing forward are not immune to peril. Fortunately, there are some who consider these obstacles merely as speed bumps. I am not a lawyer, or a farmer; but I am an entrepreneur and an advocate for economic development that does not compromise people. Hemp represents an amazing opportunity for the US to again lead the world in manufacturing and production, and to encourage a new generation of farmers. Now is the time to pass the Industrial Hemp Act of 2015.

Currently 9 states are growing Industrial Hemp, 14 have passed legislation, and 10 have Policy in the works. While Colorado law supports the growing of hemp and protects those who farm it, we face legal grey areas when it comes to transportation and processing. Ironically, most major producers of Hemp products are still importing their raw materials, even though we have domestically produced hemp available now! This means farmers and producers may be within miles of one another, but the easiest way to access raw material is still through importation; a risky and potentially very expensive venture. The economic opportunity for domestic production is, quite simply, gigantic.

Along with well known fiber and paper products, hemp has the potential to provide fuels, cement, ink, plastics, supplements, and of course food. It’s potential become a cash crop is not limited by its usefulness or the amazing applications that we are seeing in nutrition and industry. Rather, Hemp is being held hostage because of: a disconnection between Legislative Policy and Law Enforcement, the misunderstanding of Marijuana compared to Industrial Hemp, AND most importantly a lack of educated and vocal advocates.

Robert Hoban, a Professor at the Sturm college of Law at the University of Denver and a member of the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Hemp Regulation Advisory Committee. He hopes that events like the Hemp Law Seminar “will equip each of us with the tools to teach our audience”. We are the best ambassadors; in the position to promote the potential for job growth and to prove the economic and social development opportunities. Are you talking about Hemp?

March 13, 2016
Harnessing Hemp as a Sustainable Resource: Eco-Friendly Fiber and Technology at NoCo Hemp Expo

Presented by CBDRx

Today marks 30 days until show time for the largest hemp expo and trade show in North America! Join Colorado Hemp Company at the Ranch Events Complex on April 1-2 in Loveland, CO for a one-of-a-kind opportunity and view into the hemp industry that you won’t find anywhere else.

Doors open Friday at 10 AM for NoCo Hemp Expo B2B Industry Day where you can meet hemp business leaders and take away key information to grow your hemp business. Purchase a Hemp Summit VIP ticket and get access to the first-ever national gathering of hemp-focused investors, founders and CEO’s. This special insider’s view receives VIP access to the Hemp Summit as well as an exclusive invite to the Game Changers VIP Party. Be sure to stay for the networking event in the CoHempCo Lounge from 5-6 pm hosted by the National Hemp Association.

On Saturday, Expo attendees can get the latest on eco-friendly products and consumer trends and learn about key topics in the industry like legislation, seed certification, nutrition and wellness and much more.. Early bird tickets are $15 through March 21st online and include several “hands-on-hemp” workshops, art shows and a stylish and sustainable Hemp Fashion show brought to you by EnviroTextiles.

NoCo Hemp Expo is bringing together hemp companies and entrepreneurs from all around the globe, including Spain, Canada, China, Holland, Mexico, Ukraine and more. With over 100 vendors and exhibitors participating daily and an impressive list of experts and speakers, NoCo3 is the place to be for those who are interested in learning more about the thriving hemp market. Witness the latest innovations in industrial hemp and hemp fiber from its use in eco-friendly fashion to energy storage used to create sustainable, long-lasting super-capacitors.

According to a recent article, “One of the battery’s most impressive features is its ability to discharge energy very quickly, which could drastically cut down charging times. You could recharge the device you’re reading this article on in seconds.”

“Hemp is a better choice, because graphene is far more expensive to synthesize, and hemp is a sturdy, renewable resource that can flourish in a range of climates.”1

Author and Keynote Speaker at NoCo3 Doug Fine describes a hemp super-capacitor as “the kind of technology that’s going to allow a solar-powered ranch like mine to charge a week’s worth of energy from an hour of sunlight.”2

Get your hands on hemp and its infinite possibilities at the third annual NoCo Hemp Expo! Skip the lines and save by purchasing your tickets here in advance. Growth Tickets are available for those who want to support the GROWTH of the hemp industry which includes a VIP hemp tote bag loaded with the coolest hemp products from our sponsors and vendors.

NoCo3 offers direct insight into the advocates, companies, and entrepreneurs fueling the change in the market today. Check out the full list of vendors at NoCo Hemp Expo 2016 and stand with hemp to harness a brighter future for a more sustainable America.

1 Ebeling, Paul. “Energy Breakthrough, A Supercapacitor Battery Made From Hemp | Live Trading News.” Live Trading News. HeffX, 22 Aug. 2014. Web. 02 Mar. 2016.

2 Fine, Doug. “Hemp Is on Its Way to Your Car Battery and Many Things You Haven’t Yet Imagined.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 22` Oct. 14. Web. 02 Mar. 2016.

About NoCo Hemp Expo, Colorado Hemp Company and TreeFreeHemp

WAFBA LLC (We Are For Better Alternatives) is home to the NoCo Hemp Expo, TreeFreeHemp and Colorado Hemp Company located in Loveland, Colorado and operating

since 2012. Areas of focus include product and brand development, marketing, printing, production, events and advocacy.

###

Press Contact:

Abbie Marks

(985) 518-7493

abbie@nocohempexpo.com

March 3, 2016
3rd Annual NoCo Hemp Expo to Host Hemp Investment Summit

Presented by: The Hemp Business Journal

Tickets are on sale now for the largest hemp‐centric Trade Show and Conference in North America. With over 100 exhibitors, 50+ speakers and industry experts, 2016 is gearing up to be one of the most important years in history for the industrial hemp movement.

April 1‐2 at The Ranch Events Complex in Loveland, CO will feature an assortment of fun‐filled workshops and program add‐ons including “Let’s Talk Hemp” and “The Hemp Investment Summit” presented by the The Hemp Business Journal.

“We are excited to have the first‐ever nationally hemp‐focused Investment Summit as part of our conference. Our partners at The Hemp Business Journal and Business Catapult are bringing together the investment sector and investment ready companies throughout the hemp industry with the potential for funding right off the expo floor.”

—Morris Beegle, Founder @ NoCo Hemp Expo

The investment summit marks a significant shift toward entrepreneurship and professional development in the hemp industry. Access is strictly limited to 65 attendees, so click here to reserve your VIP ticket today or to register as a founder or accredited investor.

“All the World’s a Stage,” says Morris, “ and in the Hemp world today, there is no bigger stage than The NoCo Hemp Expo. “

Hemp advocates, business leaders, state officials, and educators will assemble together for a weekend of education, entertainment, innovation, commerce, and All Things Hemp!

Invest in progress this spring by attending the third annual NoCo Hemp Expo and join in the excitement of this emerging industry.

Abbie Marks
On The Mark PR
(985) 518-7493
abbiemarkswriting@gmail.com

January 20, 2016
Colorado Companies Head to Washington DC for Hemp on the Hill

Congressman Jared Polis (CO.2) will host the “Industrial Hemp Expo and Conversation” on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 on Capitol Hill. The Expo will feature key industry speakers, leading hemp companies, and state and federal officials who are coming together to discuss hemp and its remarkable industrial advancements in recent years.

Colorado, Kentucky, Oregon, Tennessee, Indiana, Virginia, and North Carolina have become leaders in the hemp movement in recent years making progress at the state level by taking advantage of federal legalization opportuni
ties provided in the 2014 Farm Bill.

These states make up the heart of the hemp industry and are host to some of the most amazing individuals working hard to legitimize and fully legalize industrial hemp on the federal level.

According to The Hemp Business Journal, market research puts the U.S. hemp industry at approximately $500 million in sales for year ending 2014. Market research also suggests a nearly $2 billion hemp industry by 2020.

“Hemp is an agricultural crop that can benefit local economies across the country, and a crop that never should have been illegal in the first place. Hemp is not a drug, and should have zero association or interference from the DEA or FDA.” —Morris Beegle, Founder @ Colorado Hemp Company and The NoCo Hemp Expo.

“I’m looking forward to joining my fellow hemp constituents in Washington DC at Hemp on the Hill,” says Beegle, “and convincing members of Congress to finally jump on board and do the right thing, pull hemp completely off of the controlled substances list.“

Colorado Hemp Company joins the expo in February along with National Hemp Association, Evo Hemp and renowned hemp experts like Barbara Filippone at EnviroTextiles and Author Doug Fine who have worked to spearhead the legalization of hemp in Colorado and nationwide.

Join Congressman Polis and Colorado Hemp Company at Rayburn Foyer in Washington DC and meet the faces of the hemp industry at our nation’s capital.

WHAT: “Industrial Hemp Expo and Conversation on The Hill”

WHO: Senator Ron Wyden (OR),
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR.3)
Congressman Thomas Massie (KY.4)
Colorado Hemp Co. and NoCo Hemp Expo – Morris Beegle, Founder
Evo Hemp – Ari Sherman, President
Hemp Road Show and Moonrise Extracts – Rick Trojan, Owner
National Hemp Association – Samantha Walsh, Board of Directors
Envirotextiles – Barbara Filippone, President
Hemp Industries Association – Eric Steenstra – Executive Director
Doug Fine – Author and Investigative Journalist
Coach Freddie – iHemp Revolution Podcast
Edgar Winters – Oregon Farmer
Mike Bowman – Colorado 5th Gen. Hemp Farmer

WHEN: Tuesday, February 2, 2016
10 am – 2 pm

WHERE: 1^stFloor Rayburn HOB
Rayburn Foyer, 45 Independence Ave. SW
Washington D.C. 20515

RSVP: To RSVP for “Industrial Hemp Expo and Conversation on The Hill” and for the latest information about the key speakers presenting, please visit http://industrialhempexpo.eventbrite.com

About NoCo Hemp Expo, Colorado Hemp Company and TreeFreeHemp:

WAFBA LLC(We Are For Better Alternatives) is home to the NoCo Hemp Expo, TreeFreeHemp and Colorado Hemp Company located in Loveland, Colorado and operating since 2012. Areas of focus include product and brand development, marketing, printing, production, events and advocacy.

Abbie Marks
On The Mark P.R
abbiemarkswriting@gmail.com
(985) 518-7493

November 3, 2015

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