Our Achievements
Growing the future from seeds of the past.
Since our founding in January 2019, iHemp Michigan has grown from a vision into a powerful voice for Michigan’s industrial hemp industry. Here’s what we’ve accomplished together:
Built Michigan’s Hemp Community — From our inaugural event on January 26, 2019, we’ve cultivated a thriving member-based organization representing farmers, processors, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs across the state.
Dozens of Events Statewide — From our flagship Midwest iHemp Expo (drawing over 1,200 participants in 2020) to virtual expos during COVID, Hemponomics 101 and 102 presentations, and speaking engagements with civic groups across Michigan—we’ve brought hemp education directly to communities throughout the state.
Over 110 Episodes of the iHemp Hour — Our live-streaming series delivers timely, expert information on policy, cultivation, and market opportunities—featuring industry leaders, researchers, and advocates making progress with industrial hemp.
Recognized Voice in Lansing — Our advocacy efforts are recognized in the Capitol halls. We’ve testified at Cannabis Regulatory Agency public hearings, championed fair hemp regulations, and remain committed to shaping sensible policy at state and federal levels.
Hemp Building Pioneers — From hands-on hempcrete workshops to supporting innovative projects like the “Canary Home,” we’re at the forefront of promoting sustainable hemp construction in Michigan.
Farmer-First Focus — We advocate for wellness in people and the planet through hemp—and it all begins with the farmer. Our mission is to educate, inform, and promote the research, development, and cultivation of industrial hemp in Michigan.
Our Mission
iHemp Michigan is a member-based organization representing hemp farmers, seed cultivators, processors, manufacturers and hemp businesses statewide.
Our members are engaged in defining industrial hemp’s path to success, from seed to sale and beyond.
We are committed to empowering hemp farmers, fueling industry leaders, and educating consumers to ensure hemp flourishes in the Midwest.
We work to promote responsible and fair regulation, provide grower education, and enable full access to the evolving marketplace.
iHemp Michigan advocates for wellness in people and the planet through hemp…and it begins with the farmer.
Blain Becktold
Co/Founder
President
Blain is one of the founding members of iHemp Michigan. Blain was a County Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency for 27 years, administering Government Farm Programs to farmers. After retiring in 2011 from USDA, he formed Down On The Farm, a consulting service to assist farmers through the maze of government paperwork with the goal of receiving program benefits. Blain helps farmers and the hemp industry meet compliance with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) & Good Agriculture Collection Practices with handbooks and third-party audits required by buyers and current industry regulations.
Blain manufactures FDA-approved hemp feed for laying hens, Hemp Seed Oil, Hemp Protein Flour, Hemp Protein Cake and Hemp Hearts and is a supplier of hemp bedding. He also is a seed dealer for fiber and grain genetics and offers a decortication service, including CBD stalks.
David Crabill
Co/Founder
Board Member
Late in 2018, John Freeman approached Dave to help organize an education event. Dave has been hooked on the hemp community since the first iHemp Michigan event on January 26, 2019. He brought his graphic design, website development, and technical skills to begin what became a rapid series of events through 2019 and the execution of the Midwest’s first Industrial Hemp Expo – 2020 Midwest iHemp Expo, January 10-11, 2020.
Since the legalization of industrial hemp in 2019, Dave has gained experience in every aspect of growing, processing, and formulation of products using hemp, including both CBD products as well as Frisbees. Dave owns a marketing agency, Advantage Intelligent Marketing, and is active both playing and organizing ice hockey under the Gears.Beer brand.
Becky Becktold
Secretary / Treasurer
Becky spent 44 years in the legal field as a legal assistant / paralegal, retiring in 2020. Currently, she spends time assisting her husband, Blain Becktold, with his consulting business Down On The Farm, and assists iHemp Michigan with membership as well as serving as its Board Secretary and Treasurer.
Becky enjoys reading, spending time with their 7 grandchildren, and keeping the family organized.
Robbin Pott
Board Member
Robbin Pott, JD, MPP, is a co-founder and majority managing member of Pott Farms, L3C, an innovative educational regenerative hemp farm in Willis, MI. With extensive expertise in regenerative cannabis agriculture, Robbin provides living soil services, including consulting and education, helping growers transition to sustainable practices. Her work integrates social equity by offering supportive job training to young adults facing poverty and trauma, in collaboration with social service agencies.
Robbin holds degrees in Law and Public Policy from the University of Michigan, as well as certifications as a living soil consultant. Her professional background spans legal advocacy, policy development, research, and social service collaboration, reflecting her dedication to empowering communities and youth through teaching regenerative agriculture and advocating for systemic change to create an equitable and restorative cannabis industry.
Pott Farms
Dennis Dean
Member
A life-long farmer with 35 years of teaching experience, Dennis added a hemp crop to his cherry operation in 2019. This began Lakeland Hemp LLC which offers a one stop online experience for all things CBD.
With the addition of a hemp genetics operation, Lakeland Hemp presently carries over 20 unique high quality CBD strains as well as isolate, kief, rosins, lotions, salves, tinctures and clones. Dennis’ goal is to educate fellow farmers and the public on the benefits of hemp products in their lives and for our planet.
Blake Klumpp
Board Member
Blake Klumpp is a prominent figure in the hemp and CBD industry, boasting a comprehensive involvement across its various facets. With a rich background spanning cultivation, drying, processing, and finished product manufacturing, Blake has been an integral part of the industry since 2018, serving as the COO of Ag Marvels.
Under his leadership, Ag Marvels has expanded its reach globally, conducting business operations across the world in hemp and CBD. Blake is also deeply committed to fostering growth in his home state of Michigan. He envisions a future where Michigan thrives as a hub for hemp and CBD, leveraging its potential for innovation and production. Through his leadership and dedication, Blake aims to continue shaping the industry, ensuring both global expansion and the flourishing of Michigan’s market.
Rod Glupker
Board Member
Rod Glupker is the owner of CBD Store of Michigan and Blue Lake CBD, and has been in the hemp industry since 2018. CBD Store of Michigan carries over 60 CBD brands and 200+ products, along with hemp clothing, bags, and accessories—while advocating for hemp building materials, fuels, foods, and medicine. His Blue Lake CBD brand has grown to 35 SKUs and continues to expand year over year.
Rod is deeply active in his community, serving on the boards of the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Development Authority, Fremont Lions Club, and United Way of the Lakeshore. His dedication has earned him numerous honors, including 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year for Fremont, Special Congressional Recognition from the 118th Congress, and the 2024 United Way Community Builder award.
Michael Thue
Board Member
Michael Thue is the Founder & CEO of Great Lakes Hemp Supplements, LLC and the Center for Compassion, LLC. A Certified Medical Assistant with over 25 years of experience in cannabis as medicine, Michael is known as the “Midwest CBD Authority” and has educated at conferences across the country on medical cannabis, the endocannabinoid system, and CBD.
His Center for Compassion was voted Traverse City’s Best Alternative Medicine Practitioner for six consecutive years (2019-2024), and his CBD products have earned multiple awards including Best CBD Edible at Canna Quest Expo and first place at the iHemp Michigan Hempy Awards.
John Freeman
Co/Founder
Member At Large
John is a Marine with a vision. His committment and dedication to creating an industrial hemp industry for Michigan is second to none. A Vietnam War Veteran, John worked in a variety of capcities in the City of Flint, most involved in environmental issues. He is retired and enjoys travel.