NIHC Summit 2022

5:30-7pm Sunday Night Welcome Reception

Join us in the beautiful, Giustina Living Room at the CH2M HILL Alumni Center for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

8:30am to 9:00am Welcome to OSU

Speaker: Dr. Staci Simonich, Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences

OSU’s Global Hemp Innovation Center is home to the world’s leading experts in hemp research. The largest of its kind in the nation, receiving 75% of Federal funds for marketing and research of hemp. Hear from the new Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at OSU, Dr. Staci Simonich.

9:00am - Introduction Patrick Atagi, President and CEO

The 2022 Hemp Business Summit: The National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC), a guiding lighthouse of information in the swirling sea of hearsay and information overload.

9:15am to 9:45am - Hemp Outlook- State and Federal Policy

Speakers:

Courtney Moran, President and Lobbyist of the Oregon Industrial Hemp Farmers Association

Sunny Summers, Oregon Department of Agriculture

This year there was a flurry of activity in the states, and particularly Oregon. Hear from the Oregon Industrial Hemp Farmer Association on what this means for Oregon and beyond.

9:45am to 10:30am - But They Said Hemp Was Legal! What Every Hemp Grower Needs to Know About Evolving Laws & Regulations Impacting the Industry

Speakers: Christopher Strunk, Partner at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP

Sarah Turner, Partner at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP

Stacy Moon, Partner at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP

The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp [varietal of the Cannabis sativa L. plant] from the Controlled Substances Act, ushering in the most exciting new agricultural opportunity in 100 years. But the US Department of Agriculture, the US Food & Drug Administration and individual states have promulgated a patchwork of confusing and sometimes contradictory regulations and laws to regulate hemp – all of which continue to evolve. The fledgling industry must also learn to comply with existing law and regulations – including environmental laws – predating its existence. This session is aimed at educating the pragmatic hemp grower about these laws, the importance of compliance, and what they can do to ensure they are on the right side of the regulators.

10:30am to 10:45am- Coffee Break

Sponsored by West Town Bank

10:45am to 11:30am - The Economics of Hemp, Whitney Economics

Speaker: Beau Whitney, NIHC Chief Economist

Hemp and cannabis are nascent industry verticals that face unique pressures. The US hemp and cannabis industries significantly benefit from more hard data and greater levels of regulatory transparency. Beau Whitney, NIHC’s Chief Economist, will share insight in support of hemp & cannabis investment, infrastructure & regulation.

11:30 am - 12pm Sequestration, Carbon Credits and the Hemp Industry

Speaker: Julie Lerner, PanXchange CEO

Hemp is a major carbon sequestering plant, a top tier crop that can be a player in carbon sequestration. On average, an acre of hemp sequesters about 11,000 pounds, or 5 metric tons of CO2 throughout photosynthesis during its growth cycle, according to New Frontier Data. Learn how companies are making a move in this sector, with a 2027 value projection of 6.13 billion Dollars.

12:00pm to 1:15pm - Lunch and Networking

1:15pm to 2:00pm - United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service (VIRTUAL)

Speaker:  Corey Pickelsimer,  Senior Director, Cooperator Programs Division, Foreign Agriculture Service, United States Department of Agriculture

The Federal Government is currently serving the hemp industry. Learn more about the Market Access Program (MAP) and the United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service initiatives in promoting hemp globally.

2:00pm to 2:45pm - NIHC Verified Product Label & ASTM Lab Certification

Speakers: Lakshmy Mahon, President & CEO of Global Data Vision

Kelly O’Connor, Key Accounts, Sales Director, Columbia Laboratories

The NIHC has partnered with SEI and ASTM International to create a globally recognized brand and hemp verification program for CBD and related products. This is a two-step verification using ASTM International HempQ laboratory certification and NIHC product testing standards. Companies and retailers can now use the NIHC verified seal on their product after passing both programs. Laboratories participating in this program can now be listed on the NIHC Global Laboratory Directory. Learn all about the program during this seminar and how your company or laboratory can enroll in the program.

2:45pm to 3:30pm - - Impacts of Cultivation: Enforcement, Communities and Environment

Speakers:  Sheriff Nate Sickler, Sheriff of Jackson County, Oregon

Courtney Moran, President and Lobbyist of the Oregon Industrial Hemp Farmers Association

Jake Johnstone, Deputy Division Administrator, Oregon Water Resources Department

Rob Bovett, OR Cannabis Task Force

States and the hemp industry are facing a new threat – Drug Cartels. In Oregon, one county code enforcement department is completely overwhelmed by illegal marijuana activity, with 70% of code enforcement claims related to the marijuana industry. The county’s watermaster is also inundated with marijuana-related water theft claims. How can we work together to combat this threat to hemp and farmers in general? We answer these questions in this seminar.

3:30pm to 4:15pm - Animal Feed: Addressing a global need and the path forward

Speakers:  Graham Owen, President, Delta Ag,

Hunter Buffington, VP of Policy & Advocacy Element6,

Hollis Glenn,  Deputy Commissioner of Operations for the Colorado Department of Agriculture (VIRTUAL)

Hemp must be, above all, safe for livestock and companion animals. The NIHC believes that the current profile of research from around the world, including small research projects in the U.S., provides sufficient data necessary to prove that hemp seed is a safe and effective feed ingredient. Learn how the NIHC is working with groups in Washington, DC to clear a path for animal feed.

4:15pm to 5:00pm - Fundamental Hemp Market Issues and Opportunities

Speaker: Graham Davis, Agriculture Marketing Specialist, USDA-Domestic Hemp Production Program

5:00pm - Adjourn

5:30 - 7pm Monday Night Reception

Join us and our Sponsor: Gordon & Rees, Scully, Mansukhani in the beautiful, Giustina Living Room at the OSU Alumni Center for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

8:30am - Introduction Patrick Atagi, President and CEO

8:45am - 9:30am Hemp Banking is Here Today!

Speakers:  Ross Sloan, SVP of Hemp & Cannabis Banking for West Town Bank & Trust

Ed Elfman, American Bankers Association

Hemp banking is here now! We have come a long way in 2022 with farm credit and banks engaged in this lucrative business. Learn more directly from financial institutions who are currently assisting farmers and industry in the hemp business. We have come a long way since 2019 and financial institutions are eager to help support our community.

9:30am to 10:00am - Working Together Works: Who is Who in National Hemp Trade Associations, Panel Discussion

Speakers:  Patrick Atagi, CEO and President of NIHC, Moderator

Mandi Kerr, CEO & Founder, Global Hemp Association

Jacob Waddell, Executive Director of the US Hemp Building Association

Fred Cawthon, Vice President, US Hemp Roundtable

Individuals, organizations and companies often ask, “with so many trade associations, which ones should I join?”. However, there is only a small group of organizations engaged nationally in our industry. Hear from the leaders of each organization on their mission and purpose. There is no rule that you need to belong to only one organization!  

10:00am to 10:15am - Coffee Break

10:15am to 10:45am - Organics, A Market for Hemp Products

Speaker:  Levi Fredrickson, Education Services Specialist, Oregon Tilth

Organic is the fastest growing segment in American food and agriculture. Topping over $50 billion per year in sales, the USDA organic label is the gold standard for product differentiation in the marketplace. Hemp producers and processors can also benefit from this voluntary labeling program by obtaining premiums for their products and meeting their consumers’ demands. Hear from experts in organic regulatory policy and certification on how organic can support the entire industrial hemp supply chain from seed to food to textiles.

10:45 - 11:30am Bringing conventional farming practices to the hemp industry.

Speaker: Nick Strawn, COO, Delta Ag

11:45am to 12pm - Closing Remarks

Speakers: Patrick Atagi, President and CEO National Industrial Hemp Council

Jay Noller, Director and lead researcher of Oregon State University’s (OSU) Global Hemp Innovation Center

12pm- Adjourn

1:00pm to 5:00pm - Tours of Oregon State University Global Hemp Innovation Center