IH RISE, a nonprofit promoting industrial hemp as a catalyst for food security, regenerative agriculture, and rural infrastructure for Illinois, is helping inform hemp farmers, landowners, and agriculture professionals with free monthly educational events across Illinois. The next Industrial Hemp Farm Informational Event set for 6-9:00 p.m. Jan. 7, at the Illinois Valley Community College (Conference Room, Building CTC-124), located at 815 N. Orlando Smith St. in Oglesby, Illinois.

The Industrial Hemp Farm Informational Event is designed to bring clarity, transparency, and opportunity directly to the local communities. The first event was Dec. 3, the second is set the Jan. 7 event, and the third is scheduled for Feb. 4. The Feb. 4 meeting, also set for 6-9:00 p.m., will be located at Emerald Acres, 4N250 IL-47 in Virgil, Illinois. More locations are coming soon.

The Jan. 7 event will go into greater detail on the following topics, expanding on December’s event:

– Policy updates and industry shifts (including recent federal clarification separating grain/fiber hemp from cannabinoids)

– How to grow hemp for grain vs. fiber (and what makes them different from floral/cannabinoid varieties)

– Equipment & infrastructure needs

– Crop insurance (now expanding for 2026!)

– Seed genetics suited for our region

– What we’re building with the Hemp Hubs and how you fit in

– Available contracts for the 2026 grow season

– Which companies are buying these materials and what they’re using them for

– What we need to drive further investment and attention into the farm community.

– Research projects & getting involved

Speakers at the Illinois Valley Community College event include Jennifer Timmers, Ph.D., Ben Adolph, and Kelly Burke. The event will end with an open Q&A. If interested in hosting one of these sessions, contact IH Rise by email at  admin@ihrise.org.

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