U.S. Hemp Leaders Unite on Plan of Action as 2023 Farm Bill Deliberations Approach
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Key industry stakeholders convened at the NoCo9 Hemp Expo in March to finalize a policy document that 31 nonprofits have now signed.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 24, 2023) – As the 2023 Farm Bill deliberations approach, U.S. hemp leaders are united behind a plan of action. And this unprecedented alliance among 31 nonprofit hemp organizations portends promise for congressional enactment of the industry’s agenda.
This winter, three of the nation’s leading hemp organizations – Hemp Industries Association (HIA), National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC) and U.S. Hemp Roundtable (USHR) – joined in collaboration for the very first time to develop a series of policy priorities for enactment in the 2023 Farm Bill. The three groups then asked industry leader Morris Beegle to convene a meeting of more than 75 key hemp stakeholders at the leading national hemp gathering that he produces, the NoCo Hemp Expo. After an intense discussion, and follow-up breakout groups to expound on the deliberations, a priority policy document was finalized. Since then, 31 state, regional and national nonprofit organizations have signed on in support.
The document, attached hereto, lists nine key policy priorities for consideration by Congress. These include requiring FDA to regulate hemp extracts such as CBD; easing the regulatory burden on hemp farmers; repealing the hemp felon ban from the 2018 Farm Bill; and addressing THC limits for hemp. This document is being shared with key members of Congress and will serve as the foundation for drafting legislative language to be included in the Farm Bill.
NIHC President and CEO Patrick Atagi praised the work of the hemp industry for broadly coming together to endorse hemp priorities and hemp-specific Farm Bill priorities. “’Working Together Works’ are true words taught to me by my mentor, former USDA Undersecretary William ‘Bill’ Hawks,” Atagi said. “I am glad to see the hemp industry come together; it is a sign of great things to come.”
“This is an historic moment for hemp,” stated Jonathan Miller, USHR’s General Counsel. “The five years since legalization have been challenging, and the 2023 Farm Bill is our next and best opportunity to take this industry a step forward. The unity within the industry is remarkable and telling: Our shared voice will resonate with Congress and help us turn this opportunity into meaningful progress for hemp farmers and product consumers.”
Said Morris Beegle, co-founder and president of We Are For Better Alternatives, or WAFBA: “The last five years have taught us a lot, and more than anything, that we as stakeholders need to align our interests and our voices going into the 2023 Farm Bill so that we correct the regulatory deficiencies that have plagued the growth and development of this nascent industry. I’m optimistic and encouraged by so many organizations coming together at this time to collaborate and work in unison to improve the future of the hemp industry.”
Contact
Morris Beegle, WAFBA, info@nocohempexpo.com
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com, tel 303.807.1042
WAFBA Announces a Pause for 2023 Southern Hemp Expo in Nashville
SHE became dominated by Delta-8 and other intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids popular in areas where adult-use cannabis is not legal.
LOVELAND, Colo. (April 18, 2023) -- WAFBA -- We Are For Better Alternatives, the umbrella organization that hosts and produces NoCo Hemp Expo, Southern Hemp Expo, Hawaii Hemp Conference, Winter Hemp Summit and other hemp-centric conferences, trade shows and events -- is going to pause the 2023 Southern Hemp Expo. The Southern Hemp Expo, aka SHE, launched in 2018 in Nashville as the sister show to NoCo Hemp Expo, the most comprehensive hemp exposition and trade show on the planet.
SHE was a highly successful event in both 2018 and 2019 but was canceled in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. SHE moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, in 2021 and back to Nashville in 2022. Both shows struggled to regain the momentum that the hemp industry had prior to the pandemic and both shows ended up being dominated by the rise in the intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoid category, including Delta-8, HHC and other derivatives that have come to be popular with the consumer market in areas of the United States where adult-use cannabis is not yet legal.
Hemp for Health and Wellness
Both NoCo Hemp Expo and Southern Hemp Expo were founded on the decades-long mission and mantra that hemp is for health and wellness for humans and animals and an environmental benefactor for the planet in being able to produce eco-friendly, carbon-neutral to carbon-negative materials for a variety of industrial applications. These include commercial and residential construction products, textiles, automotive components, paper and packaging, bioplastics and biocomposites, animal bedding, biochar and more.
Another long-standing mantra for the hemp industry has been “hemp does not get you high,” which was the case until the domestic oversupply of CBD biomass increased significantly in 2019 and 2020. Additionally, the FDA continued to skirt its regulatory responsibilities given to the agency by Congress in the 2018 Farm Bill to regulate the burgeoning and popular CBD market. The lack of regulatory oversight kept major retailers and major consumer brands on the sidelines as well as investment money out of the industry. This in turn was a factor in the increased oversupply and the eventual development of the synthesized, hemp-derived cannabinoid market that is proliferating today. This market has opened up a variety of concerns, from consumer safety issues to state product bans as well as state legislation approving of these products, and other various regulatory murkiness around the country. To put it simply, it's a mess and extremely complicated to navigate in this new category of the hemp industry. To be clear, WAFBA, Southern Hemp Expo and its management are not in favor of "banning" or making "illegal" this new category of hemp-derived products. This category of products needs federal regulation, which we hope will occur in the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill.
Focus on Flagship Event
With the above-mentioned confusion, complexity and the state of intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids, WAFBA has made the decision to focus its trade show and event energy on its flagship event, NoCo Hemp Expo, and to do everything we can to build this event as the international hub and gathering spot of hemp-based heath, wellness, nutrition, environmental, and socially impactful opportunities that can benefit humanity and the planet.
For additional information and to keep abreast of future activities and events, we encourage the industry and interested parties to subscribe to our newsletter and visit our media platform at www.letstalkhemp.com.
Contact
Morris Beegle, WAFBA, info@nocohempexpo.com
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com, tel 303.807.1042
JAMBAR Partners With UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business MBA Program to Create a Long-Term Sustainability Plan
JAMBAR, the organic artisan energy bar that donates 50% of profits to communities, furthers its commitment to minimizing environmental impact
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (April 18, 2023) – Organic energy bar maker JAMBAR® today announced it is working with The Walter A. Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley Haas), to create an actionable, long-term sustainability plan. JAMBAR was selected by the Berkeley Haas Center for Responsible Business as a semester-long consulting project for a team of MBA students.
“I created JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about what they eat, as well as the impact they can have on their local community, which includes being as Earth-friendly a company as possible,” said Jennifer Maxwell, founder and CEO of JAMBAR. “We’ve been hugely impressed by the innovation, professionalism and creativity our Haas MBA team brings and feel confident their work will result in a top-tier sustainability roadmap for us to follow.”
The Haas MBA team began its work by conducting an analysis of sustainability initiatives and best practices in the energy bar category. At the end of the partnership, the Haas students will present a comprehensive strategic plan with recommendations to help JAMBAR do business in environmentally responsible ways.
“It’s clear that since its inception, JAMBAR has kept sustainability top-of-mind when it comes to business practices, including sourcing, processing and shipping,” said Matt Rittenhouse, a project team member who will graduate from Berkeley Haas with an MBA in 2023. “Our objective is to provide recommendations and create a long-term plan with goals and success metrics, and to help JAMBAR communicate its initiatives to consumers and partners.”
This partnership marks the continuation of a long relationship between JAMBAR’s founder, Jennifer Maxwell, and UC Berkeley. Jennifer and her late husband, Brian, both ran track at Cal and together in 1985 created PowerBar®, the original energy bar. For many years, PowerBar’s headquarters were in downtown Berkeley, overlooking the Cal campus. After Brian’s death, Jennifer created the Brian Maxwell Fellows program at Berkeley Haas with the goal of helping entrepreneurs “to create opportunities, to innovate and bring real value and change to the world.”
About JAMBAR
In late 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies and the positive impact they can have on their local communities. Made from only premium organic ingredients, JAMBARs feature ancient grains, authentic sweeteners from nature and high-quality proteins. The company donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support the transformative pursuits of music and sports. JAMBARs are available at JAMBAR.com, on Amazon.com and also at leading grocery stores, including Mollie Stone’s Markets, Earth Fare, Good Earth, Nugget Markets, United Markets, Berkeley Bowl, select Safeway stores and more. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Media Contacts
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel 303.807.1042
Debbie Pfeifer, JAMBAR, debbie@jambar.com, tel 206.669.3580
NoCo9 Hemp Pitch and WAFBA Award Winners Exemplify Innovation, Dedication in the Hemp Industry
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The ninth annual NoCo Hemp Expo, held March 29-31 in Colorado Springs, featured an awards ceremony and pitch slam.
LOVELAND, CO (April 11, 2023) – This year’s WAFBA Awards of Excellence were presented during a lively welcome reception to kick off the NoCo9 Hemp Expo at The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs. Winners were announced to cheers and applause as industry participants gathered to celebrate the growth of the industry and its dedicated pioneers.
“I’m so glad to see everyone gathered again in the spirit of optimism and growth,” said Morris Beegle, producer of NoCo9 Hemp Expo and president of WAFBA, who presented many of the awards. “It’s great to see so many advances in the industry since last year.”
WAFBA Awards 2023:
Elevation Award (Advancing the Industry Through Impeccable Leadership)
Melissa Nelson
Someone who drives the industry forward by breaking down barriers, thus paving the way for others. They are an advocate who focuses on developing others while being committed to their own personal development. Their impact goes beyond the industry. Their values led them to influence positive change for marginalized, medically challenged or under-resourced individuals, communities and nonprofits.
2022 recipient: Carla Boyd
Community Economic Impact Award
IND Hemp
Someone who has demonstrated extraordinary stewardship by positively impacting their community through job creation and opportunity, contributing to clean-up, strengthening financial stability, inclusivity and leading by example. Dedicated to educating their community and developing bonds that will further their social impact.
2022 recipient: Melissa Nelson
Mother Earth Award (Lady of Agriculture)
Anndrea Hermann
A woman whose entrepreneurial spirit has ushered a new era of business leaders through her skills and execution in agriculture. She is a visionary who has cultivated relationships through education, inclusivity and collaboration. Her determination and dedication support our farmers and contribute immensely to building the supply chain, making her a trailblazer and an inspiration to others.
2022 recipient: Winona LaDuke
Best New Tech Award/Tech Innovation
Global Fiber Processing -- Structural Hemp Block
Bast Fibre Tech -- Sero Natural Hemp Fibre
A person or group whose work is at the forefront of the industry with their game-changing technical tools for improvement and impact to further the hemp industry. Their brand has grown exponentially over the last year, whose product or services filled a gap in the market or both.
2022 recipient: Corbett Hefner and Formation Ag
Carbon Solution Award
Patrick Brown -- Hempfinity/Brown Family Farms
Acting as a change agent through their processes and efforts by creating ways to reduce carbon emissions with their own practices and/or through the products they produce. They lead the way in lowering their carbon footprint while providing direction for others to do the same in the joint effort against the carbon crisis.
2022 recipient: Sergiy “Doctor Hemphouse” Kovalenkov
Legacy Award
Chris Boucher
This award is to honor a remarkable person whose legacy has and will continue to embolden others. They are well-respected and their efforts have not gone unrecognized. Their passion for hemp has not wavered. Their perseverance remained steady through challenges they may have faced over time.
2022 recipient: Tim Shaughnessy
The Das Award/aka The Service Award
Alex White Plume
Service is what life is all about. Service doesn’t have to be big and grandiose to be meaningful and make a difference. Goodness is the only investment that never fails. As we serve others, we are working on ourselves; every act, every word, every gesture of genuine compassion naturally nourishes our own hearts as well. Our rewards in life will always be in direct ratio to our service. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.
2022 recipient: Agua Das Ellis
Hemp Pitch Winners 2023
This year’s NoCo Hemp Expo also featured the second annual NoCo Hemp Pitch, where six finalist companies vied for prizes, including legal fees and other services.
Sponsored by Michael Best, a leading law firm serving the hemp and cannabis markets, the NoCo Hemp Pitch competition gave the finalists six minutes each to pitch their brand or idea to a live audience and to judges, who included hemp industry start-up consultants, attorneys and investors.
This year’s winners:
1st place: Bee Delightful, led by Skyler Johnstone and master beekeeper Daniel Weaver, produces wildflower honey from rescue bees in Central Texas and infuses the raw honey with a carefully extracted, naturally occurring cannabidiol (CBD) from organic hemp farms in Colorado, Oregon and Kentucky.
2nd place: Pure BioPlastics, led by Ed Lehrburger out of Colorado, creates hemp fiber produced by PureHemp, which has been manufactured and sold into various markets to make first-generation hemp plastics. During the past five years, the company has developed a new technology to convert hemp stalks into 100% bioplastics (second-generation hemp plastics).
Tree Free Hemp Charity Golf Challenge
The team from Sawyer Labs/Trusted Harvest won the first annual Tree Free Hemp Charity Golf Challenge, to benefit the Realm of Caring Foundation.
2024 Hemp Expo Announced
The 10th NoCo Hemp Expo will take place next year at The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, from March 20-22, 2024. To exhibit or sponsor, click here.
First Citizens Bank, EarthX, Patagonia Led Distinguished Group of Sponsors
NoCo Hemp Expo is pleased to recognize our Sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor First Citizens Bank. “Having a leading, agriculture-focused financial institution such as First Citizens Bank, with its 100-plus-year history of serving farmers and ag-related businesses, step up and serve as Presenting Sponsor of this year’s NoCo Hemp Expo is a huge statement, providing vital credibility and legitimization for the industry at a time when it’s needed most,” said Beegle. “We’re also thrilled to welcome EarthX as our Environmental NGO partner and Patagonia as Sustainable Apparel Sponsor. Additional lead sponsors include Global Fiber Processing, Michael Best, CannaConsortium, Advanced Bio-Materials Technologies, Divita Hemp Block & Weaving Vibes. We are very excited about these categories that bring focus to areas where hemp can make a difference in sustainability and improving the environment.”
About NoCo Hemp Expo
For a decade, NoCo Hemp Expo — the world’s most comprehensive industrial hemp exposition and conference — has brought together international business and government leaders, academics, nonprofits, media and the public to collaborate on important initiatives, opportunities and solutions for the future of a crop and an industry that can have significant positive impact on human, animal and planetary health.
NoCo is produced by We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA), a leading organization dedicated to the advancement and advocacy of hemp farming, processing, production, innovation, education and legalization. WAFBA also is the publisher of Let’s Talk Hemp, the industry’s leading news source. Learn more about the hemp and cannabis industry and subscribe to the latest news at www.letstalkhemp.com.
Contact
Morris Beegle, WAFBA, info@nocohempexpo.com
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com, tel 303.807.1042
NoCo9 Speakers Urge Industry Unity Moving Forward
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The ninth annual NoCo Hemp Expo featured numerous speakers who emphasized the importance of the hemp industry heading into the future with shared goals and values.
LOVELAND, CO (April 4, 2023) – The 9th annual NoCo Hemp Expo, the world’s most comprehensive hemp business conference and trade show, featured speakers from all over the hemp business world, who came together to move the industry forward with examinations of policy, processing, supply chain and opportunity. Over three days of programming, speakers and workshops focused on the need for a united voice if the industry is to achieve its potential.
In his opening remarks, show producer Morris Beegle noted that industry leaders agree on 95% of what needs to be done to advance the hemp supply chain. “We need to leave the 5% behind and join hands to march with one voice to make this hemp industry what we know it can be,” he said.
Longtime industry leader and cannabis legal expert Bob Hoban echoed the message, urging hemp industry participants to look at their competition as “co-opetition” and reminding the audience that the hemp supply chain is complex. “Everyone is under the misconception that they can do things on their own,” he said.
Unprecedented Partnership and Collaboration
Jared Stanley, chief operating officer of CBD company Charlotte’s Web, said partnerships like the one his firm has with Major League Baseball will propel the hemp industry’s success. “Education is the foundation of our partnership,” he said. Stanley also noted that the company’s mission and vision “aligned” with the MLB’s, with both organizations dedicated to player wellness. It is the first such partnership for a CBD brand and a national athletic league.
In an unprecedented meeting, over 50 participants from more than 10 hemp advocacy and policy organizations gathered to emphasize the points where they agree on moving federal policy ahead. U.S. Hemp Roundtable General Counsel Jonathan Miller opened the meeting by saying that he hoped participants would stay positive and work together to gain more policy advantages for the industry.
Expo producer Morris Beegle was upbeat.
“I have always focused on optimism, positivity and bringing industry stakeholders together,” Beegle said. “I’m pleased with the energy and outcome of this year's three-day show.”
NoCo Hemp Expo will take place again next year at The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, from March 20-22, 2024.
First Citizens Bank, EarthX, Patagonia Led Distinguished Group of Sponsors
NoCo Hemp Expo is pleased to recognize our Sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor First Citizens Bank. “Having a leading, agriculture-focused financial institution such as First Citizens Bank, with its 100-plus-year history of serving farmers and ag-related businesses, step up and serve as Presenting Sponsor of this year’s NoCo Hemp Expo is a huge statement, providing vital credibility and legitimization for the industry at a time when it’s needed most,” said Beegle. “We’re also thrilled to welcome EarthX as our Environmental NGO partner and Patagonia as Sustainable Apparel Sponsor. Additional lead sponsors include Global Fiber Processing, Michael Best, CannaConsortium, Advanced Bio-Materials Technologies, Divita Hemp Block & Weaving Vibes. We are very excited about these categories that bring focus to areas where hemp can make a difference in sustainability and improving the environment.”
2024 NoCo10 Announced
The 10th NoCo event will be held at The Broadmoor from March 20-22, 2024. To exhibit or sponsor, click here.
About NoCo Hemp Expo
For a decade, NoCo Hemp Expo — the world’s most comprehensive industrial hemp exposition and conference — has brought together international business and government leaders, academics, nonprofits, media and the public to collaborate on important initiatives, opportunities and solutions for the future of a crop and an industry that can have significant positive impact on human, animal and planetary health.
NoCo is produced by We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA), a leading organization dedicated to the advancement and advocacy of hemp farming, processing, production, innovation, education and legalization. WAFBA also is the publisher of Let’s Talk Hemp, the industry’s leading news source. Learn more about the hemp and cannabis industry and subscribe to the latest news at www.letstalkhemp.com.
Contact
Morris Beegle, WAFBA, info@nocohempexpo.com
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com, tel 303.807.1042
Restorative Botanicals Launches New Functional Mushroom Product Line
BOULDER, CO (March 28, 2023) – Restorative Botanicals, a leading manufacturer of USDA Organic hemp extract health and wellness products, is thrilled to announce the launch of its newest product line of Functional Mushroom supplements. This new line features a range of high-quality mushroom supplements designed to support the body’s immune systems, brain function and gut health and to promote better sleep!
Restorative Botanicals has harnessed the power of mushrooms to create a line of supplements that are both effective and easy to use. The Functional Mushroom products are available in capsules and gummies (that are vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free), each containing a unique blend of 100% Certified Organic mushroom extracts, nootropics, and adaptogens. Made with fruit-derived organic flavors, these delicious gummy supplements are available in flavors including mandarin, elderberry, guava, and passionfruit.
My IMMUNE Shrooms™ are a functional mushroom blend that delivers a powerful variety of specifically selected mushroom extracts to help support the immune system. Featuring Agaricus Blazei, Reishi, Maitake, and Shiitake, these are a great way to get your daily serving of antioxidants, iron, selenium, and zinc. Cordyceps is used to promote energy and stamina, while Turkey Tail supports improved digestion and healthy aging.
My BRAIN Shrooms™ offer cognitive support with Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Rhodiola, and Black Pepper. This powerful blend of mushrooms and nootropic herbs was carefully curated to help the body work more efficiently and effectively. Whether you’re looking to improve memory, enhance mental clarity, or counter the ravages of the aging process, this product will help you reach your goals.
My GUT Shrooms™ support healthy digestion with Turkey Tail, Postbiotics, and Black Pepper. Designed to help you maintain a healthy gut, the unique formula includes postbiotics, combining the benefits of prebiotics and probiotics in a shelf-stable super bioactive compound. These supplements provide your body with a supply of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids to support and promote a healthier digestive system.
My SLEEP Shrooms™ combine functional mushrooms and adaptogenic herbs that promote a sense of calm and support deep, restful sleep with a blend of Reishi mushrooms, Passionflower, and Valerian root. These ingredients promote natural sleep patterns and ease the body into deeper stages of slumber. Chamomile and Coriander help to induce sleepiness, and Tryptophan supports the natural production of Melatonin and Serotonin to encourage drowsiness.
“At Restorative, our mission has always been to help people ‘feel better, naturally’ with supplements made from the remarkable cannabis plant. We have now expanded our offering with functional mushrooms, herbal adaptogens, and nootropics,” said Bernard Perry, CEO of Restorative Botanicals. “These new life-changing products provide alternatives to conventional pharmaceuticals and improve the lives of our customers with Mother Nature-provided natural solutions.”
Restorative Botanicals’ functional mushroom line is now available for purchase on its website and will soon be available in natural grocery and health and wellness stores across the country. For Retail inquiries, contact David Sorley at davids@restorativebotanicals.com, or by phone at 720.684.6100.
Media and Wholesale Inquiries Contact: Rachael Carlevale, Email: rachaelc@restorativebotanicals.com, Phone: 720.684.6100
Click here to read the news release on the Restorative Botanicals website.
NoCo9 Kicks Off at the Broadmoor Resort Newly Renovated to Include Green Initiatives
The ninth annual NoCo Hemp Expo begins Tuesday with a charity golf tournament followed by three robust days of programming in Colorado Springs
LOVELAND, CO (March 27, 2023) – The 9th annual NoCo Hemp Expo, the world’s most comprehensive hemp business conference and trade show, will kick off with the Tree Free Hemp Charity Golf Challenge, a 10-hole golf tournament, from noon-4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28. Players will follow a special format as they enjoy the outing at the newly renovated Broadmoor Resort.
The golf courses are just one part of the historic Broadmoor that has been completely overhauled with green initiatives in mind. The courses have been redesigned to be certified Audubon Sanctuaries, a stringent process that requires restoration of native bird and wildlife habitats. Over 50 acres of highly maintained turf grass have been replaced with native varieties of grasses and wildflowers. Irrigation and water reduction measures have been updated.
“NoCo is excited to partner with the Broadmoor to produce this year’s event. The environmental measures they have taken mirror the commitment of many in the hemp community to reduce our impact on the environment,” said Morris Beegle, producer of NoCo Hemp Expo, who noted that the 2024 and 2025 NoCo Expos will also be held at the Broadmoor.
The resort has also been improved with a state-of-the-art energy management system, updated insulation and thermal windows, water conservation systems, venue-wide recycling of all possible materials and an electricity reduction program, among other environmental measures in the resort’s Green Initiatives program.
About NoCo9:
Schedule at a Glance
- Tree Free Hemp Charity Golf Challenge, Tuesday, March 28
- Advocacy & Policy Conference, Wednesday, March 29
- Lake Terrace Welcome Party & WAFBA Awards of Excellence, Wednesday, March 29
- Business & Investment Conference, Thursday, March 30
- 2nd Annual NoCo Hemp Pitch, Thursday, March 30
- Agriculture & Academia Conference, Friday, March 31
- Experience Hemp Expo Hall, Thursday and Friday, March 30-31
- ”Garden of the Hemp Gods” NoCo9 After Party, Friday, March 31
Social and Networking Events at NoCo9:
Attendees can also expect a robust set of business networking and social opportunities, beginning with the WAFBA Awards of Excellence Celebration and Welcome Party on the evening of Wednesday, March 29, 6:30-9 p.m., the first day of NoCo Hemp Expo. Outstanding individuals and/or groups in the hemp industry will be recognized at the ceremony to be held during the event and will feature the music of Dave Beegle and Justin Boot and the G**Damn Ranchhand Band.
Closing the conference will be The Garden of the Hemp Gods Celebration -- The Official 2023 NoCo Hemp Expo After Party -- on Friday, March 31, at 8 p.m., where attendees can wind down, let loose and finish their visit with the high-energy rhythm and blues of Erica Brown and The Lionel Young Band. Festivities will continue until midnight in the beautiful Broadmoor Ballroom.
Experience Hemp Expo Hall – The World of Hemp Under One Roof
In addition to three days of comprehensive education, keynote presentations, workshops and seminars, NoCo9 will feature the Experience Hemp Expo Hall in The Broadmoor’s new, state-of-the-art exhibition facilities. Featuring a world of hemp and business opportunities, the Expo Hall will allow NoCo9 attendees to sample wares, learn about products and businesses, hold meetings and visit exhibitors. Hundreds of various hemp products and services will be available, including apparel, food, beverages, CBD supplements, body care, equipment, seeds and genetics, processing, manufacturing and white label services, raw materials and more. The Experience Hemp Expo Hall also will feature specialized zones, including:
Divita Hemp Block Demo Zone & Solution Circle – Visit this special educational zone on the trade show floor for solo presentations, panels, demos and workshops from experts and specialists innovating with hemp across all industries, from hemp textiles to medicinal applications of cannabinoids, to using hemp in artisan craft production, as well as in building and construction.
The Broadmoor Offers Special NoCo Hemp Expo Rates
NoCo Hemp Expo will take place March 29-31, 2023, at one of Colorado’s most historic resorts, The Broadmoor. With roots dating back to the late 1800s and located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs features a world-class setting, state-of-the-art meeting and convention space, a lake, walking paths, 36-hole golf course, spa, restaurants and lodging at a special rate for NoCo Hemp Expo attendees. Recently remodeled, The Broadmoor is committed to sustainability and has been awarded a Forbes Five-Star resort rating every year since 1960.
First Citizens Bank, EarthX, Patagonia Lead Distinguished Group of Sponsors
NoCo Hemp Expo is pleased to recognize our Sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor First Citizens Bank. “Having a leading, agriculture-focused financial institution such as First Citizens Bank, with its 100-plus-year history of serving farmers and ag-related businesses, step up and serve as Presenting Sponsor of this year’s NoCo Hemp Expo is a huge statement, providing vital credibility and legitimization for the industry at a time when it’s needed most,” said Beegle. “We’re also thrilled to welcome EarthX as our Environmental NGO partner and Patagonia as Sustainable Apparel Sponsor. Additional lead sponsors include Global Fiber Processing, Michael Best, CannaConsortium, Advanced Bio-Materials Technologies, Divita Hemp Block & Weaving Vibes. We are very excited about these categories to bring focus to areas where hemp can make a difference in sustainability and improving the environment.”
Exhibit and Sponsor
For more information on sponsorship and exhibiting, please visit https://www.nocohempexpo.com/sponsors-and-exhibitors-request/
Register Here for NoCo9
Visit https://www.nocohempexpo.com/ticket-sales/
About NoCo Hemp Expo
For nearly a decade, NoCo Hemp Expo — the world’s most comprehensive industrial hemp exposition and conference — has brought together international business and government leaders, academics, nonprofits, media and the public to collaborate on important initiatives, opportunities and solutions for the future of a crop and an industry that can have significant positive impact on human, animal and planetary health.
The 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo is produced by We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA), a leading organization dedicated to the advancement and advocacy of hemp farming, processing, production, innovation, education and legalization. WAFBA also is the publisher of Let’s Talk Hemp, the industry’s leading news source. Learn more about the hemp and cannabis industry and subscribe to the latest news at www.letstalkhemp.com.
Contact
Morris Beegle, WAFBA, info@nocohempexpo.com
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com, tel 303.807.1042
Outdoor Channel’s WildFed Season 3 Emphasizes Modern-Day Hunting and Gathering, Ecology, Wild Foods and Culinary Adventure
WildFed host and Surthrival co-founder Daniel Vitalis helps people deepen their connection with the natural world.
BIDDEFORD, Maine (March 27, 2023) – WildFed, the wild-food culinary adventure series that offers a fresh take on outdoor television, is currently airing its third season on the Outdoor Channel and the Frndly TV app. In its biggest and best season ever, WildFed 2023 includes 10 shows highlighting adventures like prairie dog hunting in the Dakotas, the iconic alewife run in Maine, feasting with the world-renowned foraging expert Sam Thayer, hunting invasive species on the rugged island of Molokai and more.
WildFed, which airs on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. ET as part of the Outdoor Channel’s “Taste of the Wild” block, takes a thoughtful, artistic approach to modern-day hunting and gathering, with a strong emphasis on ecology. Every episode ends with a beautiful and delicious meal made with hunted, fished or foraged ingredients.
“We’ve been working hard to create a new niche in the hunting and outdoor media space, with a focus more on wild foods than hunting specifically,” says WildFed founder and host Daniel Vitalis. “We emphasize culinary adventure, ecological literacy, relationship with the landscape and great storytelling about species, people and food.”
After learning to hunt, fish and forage as an adult, Vitalis created WildFed to inspire others to start their own wild-food journeys. Along with his work with WildFed, Vitalis is a Registered Maine Guide, writer, public speaker, interviewer and lifestyle pioneer who co-founded the supplements and superfood company Surthrival in 2008.
Surthrival’s products, which include sustainably foraged black walnut protein powder, elk antler concentrate, bovine colostrum powder, reishi mushroom extract, vitamin D3/K2, and CBD for pets and people, are designed to help ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things.
“I think of it as ‘empowerment fuel’ for performance, health, recovery and peace of mind,” Vitalis says.
Both Surthrival and WildFed are key parts of Vitalis’ mission to help people reconnect with wildness, both inside and outside themselves. For instance, in WildFed Season 3 Episode 10, “Snowshoe Hare and Black Walnuts,” Vitalis and Chef Tony Seichrist chase snowshoe hares with beagles across the frozen landscape, and then prepare a feast made with the snowshoe hares and black walnuts Vitalis harvested in Missouri alongside members of a family company devoted to wild food.
WildFed’s Season 3 lineup includes:
Episode 1 - Turkey and Brackenfern
Episode 2 - Alewives and Birch Syrup
Episode 3 - Black Buck and Wild Salad
Episode 4 - Prairie Dog and Prairie Turnip
Episode 5 - Wisconsin Crayfish, Berries and Cattails with Sam Thayer
Episode 6 - Axis Deer and Tropical Fruit Foraging
Episode 7 - Swordfish and Maryland Fish and Crabs
Episode 8 - Archery Deer, Mackerel and Mushroom
Episode 9 - Sea Duck and Autumn Olive
Episode 10 - Snowshoe Hare and Black Walnuts
Previews for each episode are available on the Outdoor Channel website, and all episodes are streamed on the Frndly TV app.
You can also deepen your connection with the natural world through hunting, fishing, foraging and, of course, food, via the WildFed podcast — which one user called “the most forward (yet backward) thinking hunting show out there, presenting the most well-rounded approach to being a human that is possible in the 21st century.”
About WildFed
WildFed is a show, podcast and lifestyle brand that integrates hunting, fishing, foraging and ecology with nutrition, cooking, community and outdoor adventure. Hosted by lifestyle pioneer Daniel Vitalis, co-founder of supplements and superfood company Surthrival, WildFed is designed to reconnect people with wildness through food. WildFed is dedicated to modern-day hunting and gathering methods that support healthy lifestyles for both people and the planet and that help sustain our wild future.
About Surthrival
Based in Biddeford, Maine, Surthrival was founded in 2008 by LeighLon Anderson and Daniel Vitalis, star of the Outdoor Channel’s WildFed, to provide powerful, regenerative nutrients to support peak nutrition and optimal wellness. In addition to its best-selling bovine colostrum powder, Surthrival’s products include sustainably foraged black walnut protein powder, elk antler concentrate, reishi mushroom extract, vitamin D3/K2, and CBD for pets and people.
Follow Surthrival on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
For wholesale inquiries, contact wholesale@surthrival.com.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com
Golf Challenge Among Many Special Events at Hemp Expo
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The ninth annual NoCo Hemp Expo will feature a 10-hole charity golf tournament as well as parties, music and networking opportunities.
What: 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo
When: March 29-31, 2023
Where: The Broadmoor Resort, Colorado Springs, CO
Agenda: https://letstalkhemp.swoogo.com/nocohempexpo/agenda
Info: https://www.nocohempexpo.com/
Register for NoCo9 tickets: https://www.nocohempexpo.com/ticket-sales/
LOVELAND, CO (March 21, 2023) – The 9th annual NoCo Hemp Expo, the world’s most comprehensive hemp business conference and trade show, will kick off with the Tree Free Hemp Charity Golf Challenge, a 10-hole golf tournament, from noon-4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28. Players will follow a special format as they enjoy the outing at the world-class Broadmoor Resort. Proceeds will be donated to the Realm of Caring Foundation.
Founded in 2013, Realm of Caring (RoC) serves anyone in need of more information about cannabinoid therapies. Through revolutionary research, innovative education, and life-changing grants, RoC seeks to facilitate and encourage the mainstream acceptance of transformative, plant-powered therapies to benefit individuals and families and serve health care providers as well as the hemp and cannabis industries.
“NoCo is happy to be able to support Realm of Caring with an event that will allow conference attendees to get out, do good and have some fun together,” said Morris Beegle, producer of NoCo Hemp Expo and president and founder of We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA). His company Tree Free Hemp, a hemp paper company, is sponsoring the golf tournament.
Social and Networking Events at NoCo9:
Attendees can also expect a robust set of business networking and social opportunities, beginning with the WAFBA Awards of Excellence Celebration and Welcome Party on the evening of Wednesday, March 29, 6:30-9 p.m., the first day of NoCo Hemp Expo. Outstanding individuals and/or groups in the hemp industry will be recognized at a ceremony to be held during the event and will feature the music of Dave Beegle and Justin Boot and the G**Damn Ranchhand Band.
Closing the conference will be The Garden of the Hemp Gods Celebration -- the Official 2023 NoCo Hemp Expo After Party -- on Friday, March 31, at 8 p.m., when attendees can relax and finish their visit with the smooth sound of Erica Brown and The Lionel Young Band. Festivities will continue until midnight in the beautiful Broadmoor Ballroom.
About NoCo9:
Experience Hemp Expo Hall – The World of Hemp Under One Roof
In addition to three days of comprehensive education, keynote presentations, workshops and seminars, NoCo9 will feature the Experience Hemp Expo Hall in The Broadmoor’s new, state-of-the-art exhibition facilities. Featuring a world of hemp and business opportunities, the Expo Hall will allow NoCo9 attendees to sample wares, learn about products and businesses, hold meetings and visit exhibitors. The Experience Hemp Expo Hall also will feature specialized zones, including:
Divita Hemp Block Demo Zone & Solution Circle – Visit this special educational zone on the trade show floor for solo presentations, panels, demos and workshops from experts and specialists innovating with hemp across all industries, from hemp textiles to medicinal applications of cannabinoids, to using hemp in artisan craft production, as well as in building and construction.
Schedule at a Glance
– Tree Free Hemp Charity Golf Challenge, Tuesday, March 28
– Advocacy & Policy Conference, Wednesday, March 29
– Lake Terrace Welcome Party & WAFBA Awards of Excellence, Wednesday, March 29
– Business & Investment Conference, Thursday, March 30
– 2nd Annual NoCo Hemp Pitch, Thursday, March 30
– Agriculture & Academia Conference, Friday, March 31
– Experience Hemp Expo Hall, Thursday and Friday, March 30-31
– “Garden of the Hemp Gods” NoCo9 After Party, Friday, March 31
The Broadmoor Offers Special NoCo Hemp Expo Rates
NoCo Hemp Expo will take place March 29-31, 2023, at one of Colorado’s most historic resorts, The Broadmoor. With roots dating back to the late 1800s and located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs features a world-class setting, state-of-the-art meeting and convention space, a lake, walking paths, 36-hole golf course, spa, restaurants and lodging at a special rate for NoCo Hemp Expo attendees. Recently remodeled, The Broadmoor is committed to sustainability and has been awarded a Forbes Five-Star resort rating every year since 1960.
First Citizens Bank, EarthX, Patagonia Lead Distinguished Group of Sponsors
NoCo Hemp Expo is pleased to recognize our Sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor First Citizens Bank. “Having a leading, agriculture-focused financial institution such as First Citizens Bank, with its 100-plus-year history of serving farmers and ag-related businesses, step up and serve as Presenting Sponsor of this year’s NoCo Hemp Expo is a huge statement, providing vital credibility and legitimization for the industry at a time when it’s needed most,” said Beegle. “We’re also thrilled to welcome EarthX as our Environmental NGO partner and Patagonia as Sustainable Apparel Sponsor. Additional lead sponsors include Global Fiber Processing, Michael Best, CannaConsortium, Advanced Bio-Materials Technologies, Divita Hemp Block & Weaving Vibes. We are very excited about these categories to bring focus to areas where hemp can make a difference in sustainability and improving the environment.”
Exhibit and Sponsor
For more information on sponsorship and exhibiting, please visit https://www.nocohempexpo.com/sponsors-and-exhibitors-request/
Register Here for NoCo9
Visit https://www.nocohempexpo.com/ticket-sales/
About NoCo Hemp Expo
For nearly a decade, NoCo Hemp Expo — the world’s most comprehensive industrial hemp exposition and conference — has brought together international business and government leaders, academics, nonprofits, media and the public to collaborate on important initiatives, opportunities and solutions for the future of a crop and an industry that can have significant positive impact on human, animal and planetary health.
The 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo is produced by We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA), a leading organization dedicated to the advancement and advocacy of hemp farming, processing, production, innovation, education and legalization. WAFBA also is the publisher of Let’s Talk Hemp, the industry’s leading news source. Learn more about the hemp and cannabis industry and subscribe to the latest news at www.letstalkhemp.com.
Contact
Morris Beegle, WAFBA, info@nocohempexpo.com
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com, tel 303.807.1042
Finalists Announced for NoCo Hemp Pitch Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The second annual NoCo Hemp Pitch will feature six companies selected to vie for over $10,000 in legal fees and other services.
What: 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo
When: March 29-31, 2023
Where: The Broadmoor Resort, Colorado Springs, CO
Agenda: https://letstalkhemp.swoogo.com/nocohempexpo/agenda
Info: https://www.nocohempexpo.com/
Register for NoCo9 tickets: https://www.nocohempexpo.com/ticket-sales
LOVELAND, CO (March 14, 2023) – As hemp industry leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, policymakers and advocates prepare to convene at the 9th annual NoCo Hemp Expo, the world’s most comprehensive hemp business conference and trade show, on March 29-31, 2023, at the historic Broadmoor Resort & Convention Center in Colorado Springs, finalists have been announced for the annual Hemp Pitch Competition.
“We are excited to see what these innovators bring to this year’s competition and how they are making a difference in the hemp industry,” said Morris Beegle, producer of NoCo Hemp Expo, and president and founder of We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA).
Sponsored by Michael Best, a leading law firm serving the hemp and cannabis markets, along with BuildMySOP and AVL, the NoCo Hemp Pitch competition features six companies looking to elevate their business and receive the exposure and resources they need to take their brand or idea to the next level. Prizes include more than $10,000 in value in legal fees and other services, including a complimentary 10x10 booth and seed sponsorship for next year’s NoCo Expo.
Finalists Selected for NoCo Pitch Competition:
Airetage is a sustainable fashion brand based in Chicago. Founded by Miles Lazar, the company produces high-quality hemp clothing for the conscientious consumer. Airetage’s products are made with a textile-grade hemp fabric blend that includes cannabis agri-waste.
Bee Delightful, led by Skyler Johnstone and master beekeeper Daniel Weaver, produces wildflower honey from their rescue bees in Central Texas and infuses the raw honey with a carefully extracted, naturally occurring cannabidiol (CBD) from organic hemp farms in Colorado, Oregon and Kentucky.
JuiceTiva, founded by Chris Boucher and his wife, Jen Hutchinson, is a family owned business based in San Diego that delivers bioavailable, raw, live juice powder, with a high amount of CBDa per serving.
Pure BioPlastics, led by Ed Lehrburger out of Colorado, creates hemp fiber produced by PureHemp, which has been manufactured and sold into various markets to make first-generation hemp plastics. During the past five years, the company has developed a new technology to convert hemp stalks into 100% bioplastics (second-generation hemp plastics).
Regennabis, co-founded by Patrick McCartan and Geoff Trotter, delivers advisory, membership, events and investment services to the global cannabis and hemp industries, as well as to “canna-curious” Fortune 500 companies seeking insights into these nascent sectors.
Trusted Harvest Exchange, based in Colorado, is a proprietary contract platform led by William "Kyle" Guy that helps farmers, processors and end-use manufacturers get deals done faster, more reliably and with less risk. The platform performs contract execution, hemp regulatory compliance and carbon data management.
The finalists will have six minutes to pitch in front of a live audience and will be judged by hemp industry start-up consultants, attorneys and investors.
About NoCo9:
Experience Hemp Expo Hall – The World of Hemp Under One Roof
In addition to three days of comprehensive education, keynote presentations, workshops and seminars, NoCo9 will feature the Experience Hemp Expo Hall in The Broadmoor’s new, state-of-the-art exhibition facilities. Featuring a world of hemp and business opportunities, the Expo Hall will allow NoCo9 attendees to sample wares, learn about products and businesses, hold meetings and visit exhibitors. The Experience Hemp Expo Hall also will feature specialized zones, including:
Divita Hemp Block Demo Zone & Solution Circle – Visit this special educational zone on the trade show floor for solo presentations, panels, demos and workshops from experts and specialists innovating with hemp across all industries, from hemp textiles to medicinal applications of cannabinoids, to using hemp in artisan craft production, as well as in building and construction.
Schedule at a Glance
- Tree Free Hemp Charity Golf Challenge, Tuesday, March 28
- Advocacy & Policy Conference, Wednesday, March 29
- Lake Terrace Welcome Party & WAFBA Awards of Excellence, Wednesday, March 29
- Business & Investment Conference, Thursday, March 30
- 2nd Annual NoCo Hemp Pitch, Thursday, March 30
- Agriculture & Academia Conference, Friday, March 31
- Experience Hemp Expo Hall, Thursday and Friday, March 30-31
- “Garden of the Hemp Gods” NoCo9 After Party, Friday, March 31
The Broadmoor Offers Special NoCo Hemp Expo Rates
NoCo Hemp Expo will take place March 29-31, 2023, at one of Colorado’s most historic resorts, The Broadmoor. With roots dating back to the late 1800s and located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs features a world-class setting, state-of-the-art meeting and convention space, a lake, walking paths, 36-hole golf course, spa, restaurants and lodging at a special rate for NoCo Hemp Expo attendees. Recently remodeled, The Broadmoor is committed to sustainability and has been awarded a Forbes Five-Star resort rating every year since 1960.
First Citizens Bank, EarthX, Patagonia Lead Distinguished Group of Sponsors
NoCo Hemp Expo is pleased to recognize our Sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor First Citizens Bank. “Having a leading, agriculture-focused financial institution such as First Citizens Bank, with its 100-plus-year history of serving farmers and ag-related businesses, step up and serve as Presenting Sponsor of this year’s NoCo Hemp Expo is a huge statement, providing vital credibility and legitimization for the industry at a time when it’s needed most,” said Beegle. “We’re also thrilled to welcome EarthX as our Environmental NGO partner and Patagonia as Sustainable Apparel Sponsor. Additional lead sponsors include Global Fiber Processing, Michael Best, CannaConsortium, Advanced Bio-Materials Technologies, Divita Hemp Block & Weaving Vibes. We are very excited about these categories to bring focus to areas where hemp can make a difference in sustainability and improving the environment.”
Exhibit and Sponsor
For more information on sponsorship and exhibiting, please visit https://www.nocohempexpo.com/sponsors-and-exhibitors-request/
Register Here for NoCo9
Visit https://www.nocohempexpo.com/ticket-sales/
About NoCo Hemp Expo
For nearly a decade, NoCo Hemp Expo — the world’s most comprehensive industrial hemp exposition and conference — has brought together international business and government leaders, academics, nonprofits, media and the public to collaborate on important initiatives, opportunities and solutions for the future of a crop and an industry that can have significant positive impact on human, animal and planetary health.
The 9th Annual NoCo Hemp Expo is produced by We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA), a leading organization dedicated to the advancement and advocacy of hemp farming, processing, production, innovation, education and legalization. WAFBA also is the publisher of Let’s Talk Hemp, the industry’s leading news source. Learn more about the hemp and cannabis industry and subscribe to the latest news at www.letstalkhemp.com.
Contact
Morris Beegle, WAFBA, info@nocohempexpo.com
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com, tel 303.807.1042