Let's Talk Hemp

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  • Fifth Annual NoCo Hemp Expo Brings Together Hemp Industry in World’s Largest Hemp Products Trade Show

    Fifth Annual NoCo Hemp Expo Brings Together Hemp Industry in World’s Largest Hemp Products Trade Show

    World’s largest gathering of industrial hemp producers takes place at the 5th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo, April 6 – 7, 2018, at the Ranch Events Complex in Loveland, CO; Call for speakers, sponsor, exhibitors is now live. 

    Loveland, CO (December 13, 2017) – Tickets are now on sale for the 5th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo, the largest two-day gathering of hemp thought leaders, speakers, producers, entrepreneurs, and exhibitors from around the globe. Taking place April 6-7, 2018, at the Ranch Events Complex in Loveland, CO, the event will showcase the latest products, innovations, research and advancements in the hemp industry world-wide.

    Recognized by the Hemp Industries Association as the “Hemp Event of the Year,” NoCo5 will offer two interactive expo halls featuring products from international brands, introduce a Farm and Agriculture Symposium to share the latest research, techniques and methodologies for industrial hemp production, and an expanded hemp investment summit for the 5,500 attendees projected this year – an increase from 4,700 in 2017. The trade show and conference is considered the most influential hemp-centric event in North America.

    The $2 billion hemp industry worldwide continues to gain increased attention. This year’s NoCo5 will draw professionals across industrial, nutritional and therapeutic hemp industries and feature attendance by state and federal government representatives spearheading current legislative changes around the future of hemp in the U.S. bringing increased media spotlights and attention on the future of the industry.

    Bipartisan Support Grows for Industrial Hemp
    With growing support across bipartisan lines, Congressman James Comer (R-KY)  Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Jared Polis (D-CO), and Thomas Massie (R-KY)  joined forces to reintroduce the Industrial Hemp Farming Act in the summer of 2017 calling for the complete removal of hemp from its current oversight and regulations of the Controlled Substances Act.

    “Hemp has boundless potential as a sustainable alternative to plastics and other environmentally harmful products,” said Polis. “It’s past time that we eliminate absurd barriers and allow hemp farmers to get to work, create jobs, and grow this promising and historically important crop.”

    Industry B2B Day Focuses on Entrepreneurship, Investment and Consumer Markets
    On Friday, April 6, NoCo5 is hosting “Industry B2B Day,” open to trade visitors and those interested in the hemp products market. Programming will feature the 3rd annual Hemp Summit, an important gathering of hemp-focused investors, founders and professionals. In addition, Industry B2B Day attendees are invited to visit the exhibition halls, participate in interactive demonstrations, attend panels from over 75 industry experts and speakers, and learn the latest in new technologies, techniques, and applications.

    New to NoCo5: Agricultural and Farm Symposium
    For agricultural producers, a new, full-day NoCo5 Agricultural and Farm Symposium on Saturday, April 7, will highlight early learnings, recommended production practices and market opportunities from pilot programs in Colorado, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and other states and regions where commercial hemp crops are permitted and/or licensed to be grown. The symposium also will feature new equipment, recommended growing practices, and farming and agricultural exhibits.

    Consumer Day Features Global Hemp Village, Education and Two Expo halls
    NoCo5’s two exhibition halls and educational seminars are open to the general public on Saturday, April 7, where attendees will sample and experience the latest usage of natural industry hemp products, and attend panels and speaking events on the latest in environmental impacts, nutrition, and growing health and wellness applications. In addition, the NoCo5 Global Hemp Village will showcase innovative products and ideas from international exhibitors, from super foods, supplements, textiles, paper, accessories, hemp beauty products, and plastic and building alternatives.

    “The cultural shift in the perceptions, demand, and applications for hemp in the U.S. and around the world are priming the hemp industries for growth, and NoCo5 is at the epicenter of the industrial hemp revolution” says president and NoCo Hemp Expo co-founder Morris Beegle.

    Tickets and Registration; Call for Speakers, Sponsors and Exhibitors
    Tickets and registration are available for the General Public, Industry B2B Day (including the Hemp Business Summit), and the Agricultural and Farm Symposium at http://nocohempexpo.com/ticket-sales/. For speaker, sponsor, exhibitor and volunteer inquiries, visit http://nocohempexpo.com/registration-noco5/.

    About NoCo Hemp Expo
    Now in its fifth year, NoCo Hemp Expo – NoCo5 – is produced by WAFBA LLC (We Are For Better Alternatives), based in Loveland, CO. Established in 2012, WAFBA is also founder of TreeFreeHemp paper and printing services, and Colorado Hemp Company, “supporting all things hemp.” Areas of focus include product and brand development, marketing, printing, production, events and advocacy. Learn more at NocoHempExpo.com, and find us on Facebook and Twitter.

    Contact:
    Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, tel 303.807.1042, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com

  • 2nd Annual SLV Hemp Symposium Returns to Adams State University

    2nd Annual SLV Hemp Symposium Returns to Adams State University

    Bringing hemp education, economics, and environmental information to Alamosa Colorado and the San Luis Valley.

    Education is Power! Come network and learn from like-minded individuals in the hemp industry.

    As the hemp industry further demonstrates its potential to create new job markets, revolutionize our economy, and prove to be both nutritionally and environmentally beneficial, Colorado universities are realizing the need to incorporate hemp into higher education.

    The Second Annual San Luis Valley (SLV) Hemp Symposium will take place on Friday, November 10, on the (ASU) campus in Alamosa, Colorado. This year’s symposium, taking place in the Student Union building, is presented by International Hemp Solutions and features Let’s Talk Hemp, an all-day speaker series and exhibitor expo. The symposium covers a wide range of hemp topics including legislation and regulation, best farming practices, technology, hemp foods & nutrition, marketing your hemp business in today’s environment, and more. Panel members include industry experts and entrepreneurs such as, Tim Gordon from COHIA (Colorado Hemp Industries Association), Tom Dermody from Industrial Hemp Research Foundation, Alan Parsons from Power Zone, Morris Beegle of NoCo Hemp Expo, Bob Hoban from Hoban Law Group, Terry Moran from the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and Ryan Loflin, the first US farmer in 50+ years to successfully plant, grow, and harvest a commercial scale hemp crop in 2013 before it was federally allowed via the 2014 Farm Bill.

    Symposium host, ASU, illustrates the importance of having education and research grow simultaneously with infrastructure. Having launched their Industrial Hemp Initiative this July, ASU aims to create an SLV Viable Hemp Seed Program and to develop a large-scale, hemp-based economy in the San Luis Valley. The initiative focuses on what ASU President, Beverlee J. McClure, calls the four E’s: Economy, Environment, Education, and Entrepreneurship.

    Tickets are an affordable $10 for the Let’s Talk Hemp speaker series and free to walk through the mini-expo featuring 15-20 hemp based companies and organizations. Tickets are easily purchased on-line via the SLV Hemp Symposium TICKET SALES webpage.

    For more information visit the HempEvents.org website. Come join the movement while becoming educated by industry leaders.

  • 4th Annual Hemp Harvest Party!

    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 4th Annual Hemp Harvest Party, on Saturday, October 14th 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.

  • The Rebirth of Industrial Hemp:  Processing and Bio-refineries 

    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.

    industrial-hemp-blog
    (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.

     

  • Driving Hemp into the Future: BMW Goes Biodegradable

    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.

     hemp-car1
    (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.

    hemp-car2

    (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.

    hemp-car3
    (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).

    hemp-car4
    (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.

    hemp-car5
    (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.

     

  • Growers and Natural Food Companies Seek Local Hemp Seed

    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.”