QUALITY … INTEGRITY … KNOWLEDGE

Sunday and Monday, November 13 - 14, 2011
Holiday Inn - Civic Center
San Francisco, CA, USA
(Directly after the Green Festival)

Please register here.

Invited and Confirmed Speakers:

• Senator Mark Leno - Panel with Patrick Goggin, Steve Levine, David Bronner and Eric Steenstra
• Steve Allin, International Hemp Building Association - Building with Hemp
• Kevin Danaher, Global Exchange & Green Festivals - Accelerating the Transition to the Green Economy
• Ryan Fletcher, Mintwood Media Collective - 10 Tips for Getting the Media to Notice Your Hemp Brand
• Jason Freeman, Farmer Direct Co-operative - Why Do We Need North American Fair Trade Hemp?
• Dr. Xinmin Hao, The Research Center of China Hemp - Current Research and Development in the Chinese Hemp Industry
• Cathy Hearn, Living Harvest Foods - Growing the Hemp Foods Category - It Takes a Team Effort
• Anndrea Hermann, Hemp Oil Canada - Canadian & Hemp Farming Update
• Bobbi Leahy, SPINS - Utilizing SPINS Information to Track Hemp Food & Bodycare Sales Growth Across Retail Channels
• Anna Owen, Student at University of Humboldt - Presentation for MSC in Hemp Sociology
• Christina Volgyesi, HIA - Hemp History Week 2012
• Eric Steenstra, Vote Hemp - Hemp Legislative Update
• Steve Levine, President of HIA - President's Report
• Tom Murphy, HIA

Senator Mark Leno

Panel with Patrick Goggin, Steve Levine, David Bronner and Eric Steenstra

In 2008, Mark Leno was elected to the State Senate, representing California's 3rd Senate District encompassing all of Marin County, and parts of Sonoma and San Francisco Counties. Senator Leno chairs the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee.

From 2002-2008, Senator Leno served in the California State Assembly, representing the 13th District, which encompasses the eastern portion of San Francisco. Prior to his election to the Assembly, he served for four and a half years on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

During his tenure in the Legislature, Senator Leno has fought for better schools and access to higher education, foster youth, a cleaner and sustainable environment, single-payer universal health care, improved transportation, renewable energy, safer streets and equal rights for all Californians.

A native of Wisconsin, Senator Leno attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, then went on to become valedictorian of his graduating class at the American College of Jerusalem, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree. He also spent two years in Rabbinical Studies at The Hebrew Union College in New York. Senator Leno is the owner of Budget Signs, Inc., a small business he founded in 1978 and operated with his life partner, Douglas Jackson. Together, the two entrepreneurs steadily grew their sign business until Jackson passed away from complications relating to HIV/AIDS in 1990. This deep loss would not deter Leno. Instead, he redoubled his efforts in community service.

Steve Allin, Founder of International Hemp Building Association

Building with Hemp

Steve Allin has enthusiastically pioneered the use of hemp in building for the last 14 years and is the author of the book "Building with Hemp." He was a director of Hemp Ireland Ltd. (1998-2003) which was set up to research the possibility of Hemp processing in Ireland and is now a leading expert in the field, with a wide knowledge of the growing, processing and utilisation of hemp in construction. In 2009 he founded the International Hemp Building Association, which has over 100 members throughout the world. Steve is now working as a Hemp Building consultant in Ireland and developing training courses for Hemp Building techniques.

Kevin Danaher, Global Exchange & Green Festivals

Accelerating the Transition to the Green Economy

Described by The New York Times as the "Paul Revere of globalization's woes," Dr. Kevin Danaher received his doctorate in sociology from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1982 with a dissertation on "The Political Economy of U.S. Policy Toward South Africa."

He was a policy analyst at Food First/the Institute for Food and Development Policy, an associate fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, DC, and for four years he taught in the School of Government at American University in Washington, DC.

In 1988 he co-founded Global Exchange, an international human rights organization based in San Francisco. Global Exchange educates the public through diverse mechanisms: Fair Trade stores in 5 cities, Reality Tours to more than 30 countries, publishing books and other educational materials, and events such as the Green Festivals.

Dr. Danaher is a Founder and an Executive Producer of the Green Festivals, two-day events bringing together hundreds of green economy companies, social justice and environmental organizations, speakers, live music, organic food and drink, and tens of thousands of attendees hungry for a transition to a sustainable economy.

He is also the Executive Director of the Global Citizen Center -- a real estate plan for creating a permanent Green Festival. The Global Citizen Center is planned to be a downtown San Francisco building that will unite the local Green Economy in a mixed-use, multi-tenant facility featuring non-profit offices, green businesses, multi-cultural event space, and housing for school teachers. He is the creator of GreenGuardians.ning.com, a green career website with 200 green training videos and other green job resources.

Ryan Fletcher, Mintwood Media Collective

10 Tips for Getting the Media to Notice Your Hemp Brand

Ryan Fletcher is the Communications Director for Vote Hemp, The Hemp industries Association and Hemp History Week. He also works as Public Affairs Manager for Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, managing their U.S. press office and PR campaigns in Australia, Germany and the UK. He is co-owner of the Mintwood Media Collective, and has generated media coverage for a wide-range of social justice organizations over the last decade with a focus on anti-war, environmental, prison reform and drug policy issues. He lives in Washington, D.C., and is a proponent of cooperative living and a vegan diet. He travels by bicycle whenever possible.

Jason Freeman, General Manager of Farmer Direct Co-operative

Why Do We Need North American Fair Trade Hemp?

Since December of 1996 Jason Freeman has been involved with Industrial Hemp first working as sales manager for a small Vancouver (Canada) based events and marketing firm, Wiseman Noble Sales and Marketing. At Wiseman Noble Jason was responsible for exhibit space, sponsorship and advertising sales for Wiseman Noble's two biggest projects, the Commercial and Industrial Hemp Symposium and Commercial Hemp Magazine. In this era of pre-hemp legalization this small firm's strategy was to create a skeleton infrastructure for the hemp industry through an annual conference and trade journal to prove to the Canadian government that a hemp industry existed and legalization would be in the best interest of Canada. In March of 1998, after two successful annual conferences, 800 conference attendees, sponsorship from a major Canadian bank, keynote addresses from the Federal government and eight quarterly publications of the trade journal the Canadian government legalized industrial hemp. That year Canadian farmers grew hemp for the first time in over 40 years.

After legalization, Jason founded Biohemp Environmental Technologies and in late 1999 Biohemp was the first company in North America to bring to market a line of certified organic hempseed foods; Mum's Original, which is still on the the shelfs today. In March of 2001, after selling his shares in Biohemp, Jason founded Farmer Direct Co-operative Ltd., with three organic farmers that supplied hempseed to Biohemp.

Jason is the General Manager of Farmer Direct Co-operative. FDC is a farmer owned business that provides the world with ethically grown and traded food. Our co-operative of 60 Certified Organic, Fair Trade family farms and 120,000 acres of farmland produce high quality, 100% Certified Organic, Fair Trade grains, oilseeds, pulses and meats for food manufacturer's, distributors, and food service providers in Canada, the United States, the European Union and Japan. FDC is a bulk supplier of organic grains specializing in containers, truckloads, railcars and 25lb bags of grain for retailers' bulk bins.

In the Spring of 2010, Farmer Direct Co-op became the first organization in North America certified to domestic fair trade standards. Jason will be speaking about domestic fair trade, how it relates to hemp and the existing initiatives to make all hemp fair.

Dr. Xinmin Hao, The Research Center of China Hemp

Materials

Dr. Xinmin (Simon) Hao is the chief engineer at the Research Center of China-Hemp Materials in the Quartermaster Research Institute of the General Logistics Department of the PLA since May 2006. He received his Ph.D. in Textile Material and Textiles Design from Donghua University in 2004. He received both his M.S. (in 1991) and B.S. (in 1988) in Textile Dyeing and Finishing from Beijing Institute of Clothing Technology.

With the solid theoretical knowledge and profuse working experience in textile science and hemp biomass resources, Dr. Xinmin Hao is a well-known expert in textile materials, especially in functional/advanced textiles nationally and internationally. He published more than 60 articles in peer-reviewed journals, which include 5 SCI, 9 EI and 2 ISTP. He served as editor-in chief and editor for 6 published books. Recently, he dedicates in research, development and application of hemp biomass resources and hemp materials. As the chief engineer, he designed and developed hemp production line for China-Hemp Investment & Holdings Co., Ltd. He has many patents in hemp fiber processing technology and equipment, applied hemp fiber research and products, and comprehensive utilization of hemp stalk and core.

Cathy Hearn, CFO & COO at Living Harvest Foods

Growing the Hemp Foods Category - It Takes a Team Effort

Cathy Hearn came to the beautiful State of Oregon in 1975, following a friend here from her home town in Wisconsin. After raising two fabulous daughters and a successful 20-year career in high-tech, Cathy decided it was time for a change. She joined Living Harvest in July of 2006 and has enjoyed working with the team to grow revenues by more than 400% since her arrival. Cathy looks forward to the day when everyone can experience the incredible versatility and benefits of hemp - it's good for the planet, and it's good for you.

Anndrea Hermann, M.Sc., P.Ag. B.GS.
Hemp Oil Canada

Anndrea Hermann will present an update on hemp farming and processing in Canada.

Anndrea Hermann is from Joplin, Missouri and graduated from Missouri Southern State University in 2002 with a B.GS in Ecolonomics focusing on hemp. She acquired an internship with the Parkland Industrial Hemp Growers in the summer of 2001 and in late 2003, Anndrea was selected as a Manitoban Provincial Nominee under the Special Skilled Worker Program (Hemp Technician) in which, she became a Canadian landed immigrate and permanent resident in 2004. Anndrea is the Sales Manager and Information Specialist at Hemp Oil Canada Inc, (primary contractor, processor and supplier of Canadian hemp foods). She is a Professional Agrologist and researcher, sits on the board of the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance (VP) and the Hemp Industries Association, a board advisor to Vote Hemp, Inc. (USA) and the Industrial Hemp Association of Queensland Australia, she is an Authorized THC sampler and assists with a wide range of interdisciplinary Cannabis related projects. In August of 2008 she completed a Masters of Science in hemp fibre agronomy at the University of Manitoba. Anndrea continues to share her experiences in the areas of hemp cultivation, processing, regulations and networking (ect. all things hemp). Her background includes 20 years of promoting hemp in the USA and 10 years of experience in the Canadian hemp industry in a wide range of interdisciplinary activities. Hemp is the first word in her final vocabulary. Not only does she respect this plant but it is a way of life for her, eating hemp, wearing hemp, speaking about hemp, sharing knowledge and inspiring others to do the same. Cannabis is part of what Anndrea calls her final vocabulary.

Bobbi Leahy, SPINS - Director of Sales, West

Utilizing SPINS Information to Track Hemp Food & Bodycare Sales Growth Across Retail Channels

Bobbi Leahy has over 25 years CPG experience across retail, manufacturer and information supplier organizations, including 8 years with SPINS. In her current role as Director of Sales-West, Bobbi works with SPINS' western region manufacturer clients, to solve for business objectives utilizing SPINS services across retail channels & consumer behavior measurement. Bobbi lives with her daughter Northern California.

Anna Owen, Student at University of Humboldt

Presentation for MSC in Hemp Sociology

Anna Catherine Owen is attending Humboldt State University. She working on her Masters of Social Science, titled: An Exploration of Stakeholder Relationships and Organizing Strategies used to facilitate a Hemp Industry in Manitoba. This interdisciplinary education is a synthesis of the humanities including sociology and anthropology. Drawing from this background, Anna is compiling firsthand accounts from individuals and organizations that have overcame obstacles to develop this unique industry. She is drawn to this research to further expose the hemp movement while she is personally intrigued by the ecological and health potentials of the crop.

The student lives in Northern California where she enjoys promoting hemp outreach within her community. She has found it surprising that Cannabis enthusiasts can lack awareness of the versatility of hemp. Through campaigns such as Hemp History Week she is helping spread hemp education and interest. Anna appreciates the opportunity to connect with hemp motivators and industry stakeholders.

Christina Volgyesi, HIA Project Coordinator

Hemp History Week 2012

Christina Volgyesi, HIA project coordinator, will share campaign details of the second annual Hemp History Week and discuss how you can get involved in supporting the re-legalization of hemp farming in America.

With fifteen years of experience in sales and marketing, Christina Volgyesi became a founding partner of Living Harvest Foods in 2003.  While president she was responsible for the nationwide U.S. roll out of the best-selling hemp milk, which tripled company sales in year one. In her role as marketing director she managed the re-branding of the grocery line to Tempt, and launched the first U.S. hemp-based frozen-dessert line.  Over the past year, Christina has shifted her focus to hemp advocacy working with the HIA project coordinating and designing Hemp History Week. She also played a role in helping Oregon pass hemp farming legislation via lobbying efforts and testifying at the committee hearing. Christina has recently been elected to serve on the board of directors of Vote Hemp.