The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) and Halifax County (Va.) are pleased to co-host the 2019 Industrial Hemp Summit at IALR Feb.25-26. Registration is now open at www.industrialhempsummit.info.
“This is the second year we have hosted this summit to explore a potentially robust industry for our nation’s agricultural economy,” said Mark Gignac, Executive Director of IALR. “In support of economic transformation endeavors, we are excited about this important opportunity for collaboration, discussion and networking to include top experts in the field.”
The Industrial Hemp Summit is a multi-stakeholder collaboration focused on building the industrial hemp industry in the U.S. A specific focus of the summit will center on building the supply chain and market making for industrial hemp food, fiber and flower. The summit will highlight innovation that is currently happening in the industry, as well as explore what resources and infrastructure are needed to move the industry forward.
“At this crucial juncture, it is important for everyone along the supply chain to come together to discuss how to build America’s hemp industry in order for all voices to be involved in the development,” said Kimley Blanks, Halifax County Special Projects Manager.
Panelists will include a multitude of bioscience experts like Dr. Michael Timko, Professor and Lewis & Clark Chair of Biology at the University of Virginia, and Dr. Volker Bornemann, CEO of Avazyme (a Durham, N.C.-based laboratory offering field and laboratory testing, product development and consulting services to agricultural and food industries). They will discuss genetics, hybridization and tissue culture cloning as well as cultivation, extraction and testing. Just some of the industry panelists include Erin Williams, program manager of the Virginia Industrial Hemp Research Program for the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; Dr. Chad Ulven, Professor at North Dakota State University and CEO of c2renew (a bio-composite material designer and custom compounder); Kristin Adams, Founder and CEO of Afterglow Cosmetics; and Dhruv Agarwal, Director of Materials Innovation at VF Global Innovation Center (the corporation responsible for such brands as The North Face and Vans). Their discussion topics will range from the state of the industry to market making technical fibers, consumer goods and textiles. Panelists will round out the day with discussions of how to build and scale a hemp business as well as the future of the hemp industry.
To register or view the full agenda and panelist line-up, visit www.industrialhempsummit.info. Tickets are $200 through Dec. 15, the early bird discount deadline. After Dec. 15, tickets are $250. Monday night reception admission is $50. For questions or more information, please contact (434) 766-6605 or info@industrialhempsummit.info.
