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The NoCo Hemp Expo wrapped up its eleventh annual event last week in Estes Park, Colorado.
The overall mood was optimistic, according to attendees, but there was an undercurrent of uncertainty and angst.
The industry stands at a crossroads. Is it too dramatic (or melodramatic) to call it the battle for the soul of the industry?
The word hemp means different things to different people, but for over a thousand years, the English word hemp meant one thing: the crop you farm at scale to produce raw materials for industry and food — ropes, sail cloth, paper animal feed.
But now, a quarter way through the 21st century, the definition of hemp, some would say, has expanded leading to new opportunities, while others might say the new definition of hemp has been co-opted and pejorative.
In this episode of the Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast, host Eric Hurlock (with co-host Sophia Kurzius) gathers insights from 12 industry leaders, farmers, processors, advocates and policy experts to examine the defining issue of our time: the meaning of the word “hemp.”
From Joy Beckerman’s impassioned plea to protect the fiber and grain future of hemp, to Chris Fontes’ nuanced defense of the cannabinoid market, this episode captures the friction and common ground shaping hemp’s next chapter.
And what’s this we hear about executive orders coming soon that will redefine the hemp space even further?
Plus, why you can’t tell the story of hemp in America without talking about hemp on tribal land. Hemp is a game changer for Indigenous communities.
Hempcrete, for instance, gives the people on reservations almost immediate access to addressing their housing needs in a way that was never available to them.
“Hemp is achievable, it’s circular, and the stories I hear from people in Indigenous communities are incredibly inspiring,” said host Eric Hurlock.
Listen:
On this episode, you’ll hear from:
JJ Johnson – Founder of JJGroKelly Burke – Director at KifcureJoe Hickey – Co-founder of the Kentucky Hemp Growers CooperativeKen Meyer – Founder of Complete Hemp ProcessingMorris Beegle – Founder of NoCo Hemp Expo and WAFBAJoy Beckerman – Principal at Hemp Ace InternationalDionne Holmquist – Director at Makoce Agriculture DevelopmentKen Elliott – Founder of IND HEMPJean Lotus – Publisher of Hemp Build MagazineChris Fontes – CEO of High Spirits BeveragesU.S. Hemp Authority – Chris Fontes is PresidentAndrew Bish – President of the Hemp Feed CoalitionBish Enterprises – COO Andrew BishGreg Wilson – Founder of HempWood
Topics Covered in This Episode
Confusion over the definition of “hemp”Tension between cannabinoid and industrial sectorsMisuse of the word “hemp” for intoxicating productsHistorical meaning and etymology of the word hempShort-term profit vs. long-term industry buildingCannabinoid products dominating policy conversationsFarmer-focused versus consumer-focused marketsExecutive order rumors and Farm Bill delaysRegulatory clarity and safety for consumersIndigenous sovereignty and tribal hemp regulationShifting public perception through languageNeed for strong fiber and grain infrastructureCaution about unchecked cannabinoid productsGRAS status and feed approval for hemp grainThe role of big companies (Ford, Tesla, etc.) in scaling hempClimate, soil, and sustainability potential of hempIntegrity, transparency, and labeling standardsDisagreements within the industry over goals and methodsShared values across hemp sectors despite conflictsThe importance of unity and focusing on common groundJoy Beckerman’s public stance against intoxicating derivativesThe idea of a regulatory split between floral and industrial hempHemp’s potential for rural revitalizationMaking hemp “boring” again to normalize it as a commodity
Learn More:
Thanks to our sponsors:
Production and audio engineering by Lancaster Farming Audio Team:
Sophia Kurzius, Justin Berger and Eric Hurlock.
Music by Tin Bird Shadow
”}]] This week we explore how the word “hemp” has become a battleground for defining the future of the industry, featuring voices from 12 leaders recorded at the 2025 NOCO Hemp Read More
