From Seed to Fiber: U.S. Hemp Industry's Trade Mission to Japan
Episode Description:
Welcome back to the Let's Talk Hemp Volume Up Podcast! I'm your host, Morris Beagle, and today we have a special episode for you: The Japan Tapes. This episode features a series of short, on-the-ground interviews recorded at the inaugural Tokyo International Hemp Conference. This event marked a significant milestone for the U.S. hemp industry, with 26 delegates from various companies and organizations coming together for a groundbreaking trade mission to Japan.
Episode Highlights:
Introduction:
The Tokyo International Hemp Conference was a major event for the U.S. hemp industry, featuring 26 delegates from various companies and organizations.
The trade mission included attending the conference, a high-profile meeting at the Royal Thai Embassy, and participation in the Asia Hemp Entrepreneur Program.
A highlight of the trip was visiting an eighth-generation farm known for producing golden hemp, a fiber traditionally used in Shinto temples and sumo wrestling rituals.
The mission was spearheaded by the National Industrial Hemp Council of America (NIHC) with support from a $750,000 USDA grant.
Interviews:
Clyde Carpenter (New York Fashion Innovation Center):
Discusses his role as a lab manager focused on natural fibers like wool, hemp, and flax.
Shares insights on the importance of international collaboration and his takeaways from the event.
Gary Sykes (North Carolina):
Talks about his involvement in the textile industry and the importance of protecting farmers.
Emphasizes the significance of regenerative agriculture and his learnings from the trip.
Guy Carpenter (Bear Fiber):
Highlights the importance of raising awareness about hemp fiber and the potential for U.S. hemp in the Japanese market.
Shares his excitement about the demand for American de-gummed refined fiber in Japan.
Jacob Waddell (Hemp Building Institute):
Focuses on the development of hemp building materials and the importance of accurate carbon calculations.
Discusses his meeting with a Japanese official working on building codes for hempcrete.
Jean Lotus (U.S. Hemp Building Association):
Talks about her work as a journalist and publisher focused on hemp building materials.
Shares insights on the potential for hempcrete in Japan, especially for rehabbing vacant properties.
Joe Hickey (Kentucky Farmers Co-op):
Reflects on his long history in the hemp industry and the importance of international collaboration.
Expresses gratitude for the opportunity to learn and share ideas at the conference.
Mike Klump (AgMarvels):
Describes his seed-to-sale business in Michigan and the importance of face-to-face interactions.
Shares his interest in expanding into grain and fiber applications.
Patrick Atagi (NIHC):
Discusses the success of the event and the importance of working together to promote U.S. hemp internationally.
Highlights upcoming events and initiatives by the NIHC.
Paul Benham (Hemp Plastic Company):
Talks about his work in hemp bioplastics and the potential for collaboration with Japanese companies.
Reflects on the growth of the hemp industry in Japan and the importance of international partnerships.
Ray Kaderli (U.S. Hemp Building Association):
Emphasizes the significance of building and construction using industrial hemp.
Shares his takeaways from the trip and the importance of human connections in the industry.
Robin Destiche (Konopi U.S.):
Discusses his work in seed distribution and agronomy and the potential for U.S. hemp in Japan.
Shares his excitement about the opportunities for collaboration and trade.
Additional Guest interviews include:
- Saddam Hussein
- Tim McCarthy
- Todd Hughes
- Veronica Frantz
- William Sale
- Wu Zhaohui
Upcoming Events:
Andean Hemp and Cannabis Trade Forum in Peru: October 17th-19th.
Asia International Hemp Expo in Bangkok, Thailand: November 27th-30th.
11th Annual NOCO Hemp Expo in Estes Park, Colorado: April 10th-12th.
22nd EIHA Conference and Experience Hemp Berlin: June 11th-13th.
Stay tuned for the second half of our exclusive interviews from the Tokyo International Hemp Conference. Thank you for listening, and I hope to see you at one of these incredible hemp events soon!
Show Sponsor - Her Many Voices - hermanyvoices.org
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Let's Talk Hemp Podcast
00:00:35 - Overview of the Tokyo International Hemp Conference
00:01:07 - Highlights of the U.S. Delegation's Trade Mission to Japan
00:01:30 - Role of the National Industrial Hemp Council and USDA Grant
00:01:51 - Panel Discussions and Key Figures at the Conference
00:02:22 - Introduction to Her Many Voices Organization
00:02:43 - Interview with Clyde Carpenter from New York Fashion Innovation Center
00:03:46 - Clyde Carpenter's Takeaways from the Event
00:04:46 - Interview with Gary Sykes from North Carolina
00:05:55 - Gary Sykes' Takeaways from the Event
00:07:20 - Gary Sykes on Regenerative Agriculture
00:09:41 - Interview with Guy Carpenter from Bare Fiber
00:11:07 - Guy Carpenter's Takeaways from the Event
00:12:05 - Guy Carpenter on Japanese Hospitality and Future Plans
00:12:47 - Interview with Jacob Waddell from the Hemp Building Institute
00:13:46 - Jacob Waddell's Takeaways from the Event
00:15:10 - Jacob Waddell on Future Collaborations
00:15:21 - Interview with Jean Lotus from the U.S. Hemp Building Association
00:17:27 - Jean Lotus on Japan's Housing Situation and Hempcrete
00:19:50 - Jean Lotus' Takeaways from the Event
00:22:55 - Interview with Joe Hickey from Kentucky Farmers Co-op
00:24:07 - Joe Hickey's History in the Hemp Industry
00:26:30 - Joe Hickey on the Importance of International Collaboration
00:27:25 - Joe Hickey's Takeaways from the Event
00:29:54 - Interview with Mike Klump from AgMarvels
00:30:46 - Mike Klump's Takeaways from the Event
00:31:40 - Mike Klump on Expanding into Grain and Fiber
00:32:42 - Interview with Patrick Itagi from the National Industrial Hemp Council
00:33:43 - Patrick Itagi on the Goals of the Trade Mission
00:34:54 - Patrick Itagi's Takeaways from the Event
00:36:14 - Future Plans for the National Industrial Hemp Council
00:38:04 - Interview with Paul Benham from the Hemp Plastic Company
00:39:08 - Paul Benham's Takeaways from the Event
00:41:48 - Paul Benham on Future Plans and Collaborations
00:43:57 - Interview with Ray Catterley from the U.S. Hemp Building Association
00:44:46 - Ray Catterley's Takeaways from the Event
00:47:59 - Conclusion of the First Half of Interviews
00:48:09 - Upcoming Hemp Events and Conferences
00:49:51 - Resuming Interviews from Tokyo International Hemp Conference
00:50:07 - Interview with Robin from Konopi U.S.
00:51:09 - Robin's Takeaways from the Event
00:52:30 - Opportunities for U.S. Operators in Japan
00:54:19 - Robin's Final Thoughts on Tokyo and the Event
QUOTES:
"Welcome back, my friends, to the show that never ends." - 00:00:08
"The Japan Tapes, a series of short on-the-ground interviews recorded at the inaugural Tokyo International Hemp Conference." - 00:00:45
"One of the highlights was a visit to the revered eighth-generation farm known for producing golden hemp, a fiber traditionally used in Shinto temples and sumo wrestling rituals." - 00:01:18
"The goal? To foster collaborations between the growing Japanese hemp market and U.S. companies." - 00:01:41
"It's interesting learning about the industry internationally, seeing where other countries are, what they've learned, and what we can trade and work on together." - 00:03:46
"I love to learn. And I'm always trying to learn something." - 00:07:20
"Hemp makes it better." - 00:11:05
"The Thai group is amazing. Many beautiful things." - 00:14:46
"Hempcrete is a great choice for that." - 00:21:28
"Working together works." - 00:34:54
