NoCo 2025: Optimistic Rumors and the Battle for the Soul of the Industry

The NoCo Hemp Expo wrapped up its eleventh annual event last week in Estes Park, Colorado. The overall mood was optimistic, according to attendees, but there was an undercurrent of uncertainty and angst. The industry stands at a crossroads. Is it too dramatic (or melodramatic) to call it the battle for the soul of the industry? The word hemp means different things to different people, but for over a thousand years, the English word hemp meant one thing: the crop you farm at scale to produce raw materials for industry and food — ropes, sail cloth, paper, animal feed. But now, a quarter way through the 21st Century, the definition of hemp, some would say, has expanded, leading to new opportunities, while others might say the new definition of hemp has been co-opted and pejorative. In this episode of the Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast, host Eric Hurlock (with co-host Sophia Kurzius) gathers insights from 12 industry leaders, farmers, processors, advocates and policy experts to examine the defining issue of our time: the meaning of the word “hemp.” From Joy Beckerman’s impassioned plea to protect the fiber and grain future of hemp, to Chris Fontes’ nuanced defense of the cannabinoid market, this episode captures the friction and common ground shaping hemp’s next chapter. And what's this we hear about executive orders coming soon that will redefine the hemp space even further? Plus, why you can’t tell the story of hemp in America without talking about hemp on tribal land. Hemp is a game changer for Indigenous communities. Hempcrete, for instance, gives the people on reservations almost immediate access to addressing their housing needs in a way that was never available to them. "Hemp is achievable, it’s circular, and the stories I hear from people in Indigenous communities are incredibly inspiring," said host Eric Hurlock. On this episode, you’ll hear from: JJ Johnson – Founder of JJGro Kelly Burke – Director at Kifcure Joe Hickey – Co-founder of the Kentucky Hemp Growers Cooperative Ken Meyer – Founder of Complete Hemp Processing Morris Beegle – Founder of NoCo Hemp Expo and WAFBA Joy Beckerman – Principal at Hemp Ace International Dionne Holmquist – Director at Makoce Agriculture Development Ken Elliott – Founder of IND HEMP Jean Lotus – Publisher of Hemp Build Magazine Chris Fontes – CEO of High Spirits Beverages U.S. Hemp Authority – Chris Fontes is President Andrew Bish – President of the Hemp Feed Coalition Bish Enterprises – COO Andrew Bish Greg Wilson – Founder of HempWood Topics Covered in This Episode Confusion over the definition of "hemp" Tension between cannabinoid and industrial sectors Misuse of the word “hemp” for intoxicating products Historical meaning and etymology of the word hemp Short-term profit vs. long-term industry building Cannabinoid products dominating policy conversations Farmer-focused versus consumer-focused markets Executive order rumors and Farm Bill delays Regulatory clarity and safety for consumers Indigenous sovereignty and tribal hemp regulation Shifting public perception through language Need for strong fiber and grain infrastructure Caution about unchecked cannabinoid products GRAS status and feed approval for hemp grain The role of big companies (Ford, Tesla, etc.) in scaling hemp Climate, soil, and sustainability potential of hemp Integrity, transparency, and labeling standards Disagreements within the industry over goals and methods Shared values across hemp sectors despite conflicts The importance of unity and focusing on common ground Joy Beckerman’s public stance against intoxicating derivatives The idea of a regulatory split between floral and industrial hemp Hemp’s potential for rural revitalization Making hemp “boring” again to normalize it as a commodity Thanks to our sponsors: IND HEMP National Hemp Association Forever Green Production and audio engineering by Lancaster Farming Audio Team: Sophia Kurzius, Justin Berger and Eric Hurlock. Music by Tin Bird Shadow