ASHLAND, OR, January 15 – Hemp, Inc. (OTC PINK:HEMP), a global leader in the industrial hemp sector with bi-coastal processing facilities, announces the fourth Oregon-based Hemp University on January 26 at The Schoolhaus Ballroom at 525 Bigham Knoll Dr, Jacksonville, OR from 11a.m. through 7 p.m. PST.
IT’S THE SEASON FOR REGENERATION
Hemp University is hosting the interactive and informative New Leaf Symposium to energize the Oregon hemp industry and infuse optimism into a community in recovery from year-end harvest difficulties and legislative chaos. Its primary mission is to connect farmers and sales channels in order to jump-start the 2020 buying season and to provide critical insights to the opportunities that 2020 brings for the industry.
The conference has united top-level industry figures like Courtney Moran, president of the Oregon Industrial Hemp Farmer’s Association and co-author of the 2018 Farm Bill, Thomas Wingens, international Hemp Investor, GreenLight Law group, and a selection of veteran farmers and key professionals discussing ways forward for 2020. Additionally, it will feature Oregon’s first hemp-dedicated flower contest and onsite filming of the documentary “Hemp is Back” by Greg Moring.
EXPERTS AGREE: HEMP WILL ONLY GET STRONGER IN 2020
Keynote speaker Thomas Wingens (Caldera Group/Pacific West Mfg.) is a high-level executive in SuperCritical CO2 Extraction with extensive investments in Southern Oregon’s hemp infrastructure. He will offer a wide-angle projection for the hemp industry with an emphasis on its evolving future through high technology.
“We’ve already seen the bottom,” Thomas says, “and the hemp market is growing domestically and internationally. In the Rogue Valley, expect to see an overall reduction in farms, accompanied by a streamlining of practices in areas like harvesting, post-fab channels and better off-take contracts. People have realized that a lot more planning is necessary in order to have a successful hemp business, so they’re going to be a lot smarter this year and more open to collaboration.”
The Hemp Exchange will also be present to offer sales advice to farmers. As winners of the 2019 Supply Solution of the Year Award, CEO Chris Fontes and founding partner Damian Moran draw on their background in the commodities markets and the Chicago Board of Trade to offer functional market-based advice.
According to Chris Fontes: “What we saw in the last quarter of 2019 was a dubious narrative of supply far outstripping demand, which led to a panicked reaction among farmers, causing prices to dip. We need to re-set expectations with clear discussions of market volatility and the cyclical nature of the crop.”
SPOTLIGHT ON SALES CHANNELS
The Jefferson Hemp Exchange will be present, offering farmers a chance to join their sales co-op to jumpstart much-needed sales, while the Hemp Motiv Marketing Agency will be facilitating interstate export of our fine Oregon product.
CELEBRATING WHAT WENT RIGHT BY SHOWING REGIONAL PRODUCT
To celebrate and showcase the hard work of Oregon’s many successful farmers, a very special feature of this season-opener is the Golden Grow Awards, a hemp-flower exhibit and awards ceremony. Attendees will have the chance to view and vote upon the People’s Choice until 4:30 p.m., with the awards ceremony to follow at 6 p.m. Categories to be awarded include Top Terpenes, Top CBD, Judge’s Favorite and People’s Choice. Sixteen farms qualified for the competition, which is a collaboration between Hemp University and the Southern Oregon Hemp Co-Op.
DOCUMENTARY CHRONICLES HEMP’S JOURNEY FROM CONTRABAND TO COMMODITY
A very special feature will be the live filming of the documentary “Hemp is Back” by the Oregon film-maker Greg Moring. The film documents the transition of hemp from contraband to commodity and focuses on the crop’s trajectory in Oregon. Attendees will have a chance to add their experiences and personal hemp stories to the film. The trailer features interviews with Oregon’s top hemp industry figures and can be accessed here: http://kck.st/37FSqlh.
LOCAL AND MULTINATIONAL PARNTERS MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
Hemp University is grateful for the support and participation of partners like Greenleaf Lab, who provided the independent lab testing for the contest, Caputo Group and Oath Insurance who sponsored and cross-promoted the event, and multinational sponsor Johnson Controls.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE:
11:10 AM – 11:50 AM – Keynote Address (Thomas Wingens) “Aligning Hemp’s Success with High Tech.”
1/2 hour break for networking and people’s choice voting
12:20 PM – 1 PM – Courtney Moran & Matt Cyrus (OIHFA) “Collective Action for Workable Hemp Laws”
1/2 hour break for networking and people’s choice voting
1:30 PM – 2:10 PM – Green Light Law Group – “Simple Hemp Contracts 101”
1/2 hour break for networking and people’s choice voting
2:40 PM – 3:20 PM – Farmer’s Panel – “Lessons Learned from 2019; Ways Forward”
1/2 hour break for networking and people’s choice voting ends
3:50 PM – 4:30 PM – Bill Kelly (CannaBusiness Development) “Plan to Succeed – Business Planning 101”
1/2 hour break for networking
5:00 PM – 5:40 PM – Eviane Ita-Coton (Cascade Hemp Collective) “The Future of Hemp Farming”
Break for voting on Solidarity Fundraiser
6 PM – 7 PM – The Golden Grow Awards Ceremony
All questions and media inquiries should go to Sophia Blanton, psophia@hempinc.com (541-200-9315).
