Hemp, Sustainability, and Justice Through a Circular Economy Symposium

We are thrilled to invite you to the first-ever Grain and Fiber Hemp symposium in Connecticut: “Hemp, Sustainability, and Justice through a Circular Economy in CT,” hosted by Freedom Gerardo, Hemp Cultivator and Processor at SEAmarron Farmstead and Zbigniew Grabowski, Water Quality Extension Educator at the Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR).

This event is an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, share insights, and foster partnerships that can reshape the economy of Connecticut while championing land and environmental stewardship, generational wealth, and social justice for BIPOC communities.

Overview: Hemp, with its rich history spanning millennia and its versatile applications in textiles, construction, agriculture, and more, is primed to become a cornerstone of a circular and regenerative economy. As Connecticut boasts underutilized textile and fiber manufacturing potential, this event seeks to unite agricultural producers, construction industry experts, innovators in materials and manufacturing, regulators, and community groups to explore the possibilities and pathways for advancing circular, regenerative hemp production and usage.

Preliminary Program:

• 8:45-9:10 am: Registration, coffee, and networking
• 9:15-10:15 am: Panel 1: Developing on Farm Capacity for Hemp in CT
• 10:25-11:25 pm: Panel 2: Adding Value to Agricultural Land Use
• 11:30-12:30 pm: Lunch and networking – featuring a healthy lunch sourced from local and regional produce, including hemp-derived goods
• 12:35-1:20 pm: Panel 3: BIPOC Liberation through circular economic development
• 1:25-2:00 pm: Structured Networking and Closing Remarks on next steps

Please RSVP by November 25th – https://tinyurl.com/bdfsrw29 – to secure your place at this groundbreaking event. We look forward to your participation in shaping the future of a circular economy in Connecticut through hemp innovation and collaboration.