iHemp Hour: Building the Future with Hemp Pioneers from Across the Nation
The future of the American hemp industry is being built brick by brick, state by state, through the passionate work of dedicated pioneers. In a special cross-country episode of the iHemp Hour, host Dave Crabill and a remote Blaine Becktold (reporting from Denver) were joined by a powerhouse panel of guests: Rachel Berry of the Illinois Hemp Growers Association, Eric McKee of the US Hemp Building Association, and Jeff Cole of US Hemp Brokerage.
The conversation was a deep dive into the most exciting frontier for the industry: sustainable building materials and the infrastructure needed to make them a reality.
Meet the Pioneers
This episode brought together three influential leaders, each tackling a different, critical piece of the industrial hemp puzzle:
- Rachel Berry (Illinois): As the founder of the Illinois Hemp Growers Association and Secretary of the US Hemp Building Association, Rachel is a first-generation regenerative farmer dedicated to building the resources and relationships needed for a sustainable and equitable hemp industry.
- Eric McKee (Colorado): The founder of WNDR LLC and a co-founder of the US Hemp Building Association, Eric is a key figure in solving industry-wide bottlenecks. His work is focused on making sustainable hemp products economically viable and connecting influencers to move the industry forward.
- Jeff Cole (Colorado): As the founder of US Hemp Brokerage, Jeff is connecting the dots from farm to shelf. His firm represents leading brands like Willie’s Remedy and Plain Jane, creating the market pull-through that is essential for farmers and processors to succeed.
The Main Event: Hempcrete and the Future of Construction
With iHemp Michigan’s upcoming Hempcrete Workshop at the Critter Barn, the conversation centered on the revolutionary potential of hemp as a building material.
Eric McKee, a leading expert, broke down why hempcrete is more than just a novelty:
“It’s also fireproof, it’s mold proof, it’s pest proof, and the biggest characteristic of this is it’s carbon negative.”
He explained that while traditional concrete construction is one of the largest contributors to atmospheric carbon, hempcrete actively sequesters it. The material is “moisture permeable,” allowing the walls to breathe and naturally regulate a home’s humidity and air quality, creating a healthier living environment.
The progress is tangible. Eric noted that a hempcrete product from Hempitecture recently underwent fire rating testing and scored a perfect zero on a 0-400 flammability scale.
“The people that were doing the testing were flabbergasted,” he said. “They had never seen anything like that.”
Rachel Berry highlighted the importance of bringing this innovation to the mainstream, stating, “All of us who are aware and have the knowledge about hempcrete can be making meetings and finding these organizations and helping push hemp into these spaces where more awareness really needs to grow.”
From a Niche Product to a National Industry
The panel agreed that the industry is at a pivotal moment, moving beyond its initial CBD focus. Jeff Cole, who works with retailers, sees the shift firsthand:
“It’s all really exciting to see us go from a cbd product in the cbd base into more industrial and consumer goods, and it’s sustainable. That’s the big thing.”
He’s already seeing the “lights go on” at major retailers when they are presented with hemp-based foods packaged in hemp-based materials. The key, as Blaine Becktold noted, is that the entire supply chain is moving forward together.
“The train’s moving,” Blaine said. “You got to get your ticket, folks. We may not get to the destination as quickly as we all want to, but we’re all going to be on the train having a good time getting there.”
Michigan Hemp & Cannabis News Roundup
- Upcoming Events:
- Hemp Working Event: Friday, June 25th at the Crazy Horse Saloon in Holland.
- Hempcrete Workshop: Saturday, June 26th at the Critter Barn in Zeeland—a family-friendly, hands-on event!
- Certify Your Acres: The deadline for hemp growers to certify acres with the USDA is July 15th.
- CannaCon Detroit: A major B2B cannabis conference is coming to the TCF Center on June 25th and 26th.
This episode is a powerful reminder that the hemp industry is a collaborative effort, driven by passionate individuals across the country who are building a more sustainable future for everyone.