Rachel Berry is a first-generation farmer, which includes regenerative practices, vegetables, hemp fiber and grain. She is passionate about small farms/businesses, conservation, local food systems and economy along with hemp education. Rachel is a Board Member of the Illinois Stewardship Alliance and the CEO of the 2018-founded Illinois Hemp Growers Association which is a woman led benefit corporation supported by the sponsorship, donations, and dues of approximately 800 grassroots members. The IHGA educates producers and consumers while representing the industry’s best interests in Springfield and throughout the state of Illinois. Our goal is to build the resources and relationships necessary to grow a sustainable and equitable hemp industry. The IHGA achieves its goal through public education, consultation and service, working with legislators and statewide media on the issues, and volunteerism.
Eric McKee is the Founder and CEO of Wndr, a Colorado startup whose mission is to infuse sustainability and style with economic viability in building with Hemp. Eric built the first permitted hempcrete structure in Denver County which gained national attention and propelled Eric to the forefront of the Hemp industry. Eric has contributed countless hours to promote building with Hemp, including time in Haiti’s Wynne Farm Nature Reserve demonstrating Hemp’s application for humanitarian and ecological purposes, speaking and training at multiple Hemp Expos, Symposiums and Webinars, and contributing his expertise to the International Hemp Building Association.
Jeffrey Cole is the owner and founder of US Hemp Brokerage LLC, which he established in order to become the leading professional brokerage firm in the domestic hemp markets. While Jeff formed the company in August of 2018, he has recently nurtured the firm to its official launch on November 1, 2019. He has 7 team members at US Hemp Brokerage and he is based in Boulder County, CO. Most recently (October 2018 – November 2019), Jeffrey held the position of Director of Program Development with Restorative Botanicals, a leading hemp firm, based in Boulder, CO. While at Restorative, where he accomplished many of his goals, he helped manage the Restorative Botanicals brand products, participated as a leader in the development of the Urban Alchemy brand extension, led the wholesale, broker and direct sales teams and was responsible for the event marketing efforts which include both Natural Product Expos, NOCO, MJ Biz, Southern Hemp Expo, CBD Expos and many others. Additionally, and of paramount priority, Mr. Cole was director of the Restorative Botanicals Private Label programs. Among several major initiatives, his team secured international acclaim for the Restorative Botanicals brand with an advertising campaign in Times Square on New Year’s Eve 2018. This advertising program was brought to Restorative Botanicals by leveraging Jeff’s longstanding relationships and experience in the New York media and advertising industries.
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