Hemp Field Day at Pocono Organics
Hemp Field Day
Hosted by Pocono Organics, Rodale Institute, and Thomas Jefferson University
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Pocono Organics, Long Pond, PA
Join Rodale Institute, Pocono Organics, and Thomas Jefferson University for a full-day immersive experience focused on the many roles of hemp in regenerative organic agriculture, sustainability, and applied research. The first annual Hemp Field Day brings together farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals for field tours, hands-on demonstrations, and engaging discussions at the state-of-the-art Pocono Organics facility in Long Pond, PA.
- Learn about cutting-edge trials on industrial hemp, no-till systems, and sustainable bio-products—all taking place at one of the country’s premier regenerative organic research and innovation hubs.
- Explore the latest findings from Rodale Institute’s Pocono Organics Center, hear from thought leaders in hemp research and product innovation, and connect with fellow changemakers who are cultivating solutions from the soil up.
Whether you’re a grower, processor, researcher, or simply curious about hemp’s role in regenerative agriculture and green industry applications-this event is for you.
Cost: $20/person
Location: Pocono Organics, 1015 Long Pond Rd, Blakeslee, PA 18610
Lunch is available for $30 per person, and will feature vegan, gluten-free and omnivore options.Reservations and payment must be made at time of registration
Agenda
Morning Session: Field Tours & Demonstrations
- 7:30 – 8:15 AM – Coffee & Check-In – Station #1
- 8:15 – 8:30 AM – Welcome & Introductions – Ashley Walsh, Dr. Drew Smith, Dr. Arash Ghale, Dr. Ron Kander
- 8:30 – 8:35 AM – Research Overview – Tara Caton
- 8:35 – 9:30 AM – Station #2: Fiber Hemp Trials – Precision Nitrogen & Variety Trials – Dr. Dinesh Panday & Tara Caton – Dr. Dinesh Panday & Tara Caton
- 9:30 – 10:15 AM – Station #3: No-Till Cropping Systems & NE-SARE Hemp Trial – Roller Crimper & Grain Drill Demonstration – Dr. Dinesh Panday & Tara Caton
- 10:15 – 10:45 AM – Station #4: Greenhouse Operations – Microgreens Production & Harvester Demo – Aslynn Parzanese
- 10:45 – 11:00 AM – Station #5: Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi & Hemp – Dr. Wade Heller (USDA-ARS)
- 11:00 – 11:30 AM – Station #6: CBD Hemp Trial – Ashley Walsh, Dr. Dinesh Panday, Dr. Arash Ghale
- 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Lunch & Guided Tours
Afternoon Session: Case Studies & Research Presentations – Indoor Presentation Area – Moderated by Dr. Ron Kander, Thomas Jefferson University
- 12:30 PM – Afternoon Session Overview – Dr. Drew Smith, Dr. Ron Kander
- 12:40 – 1:10 PM – Case Study: Hemp/PLA Compostable Cup Innovation – Ashley Walsh, Dr. Ron Kander – Followed by session Q&A
- 1:20 – 2:00 PM – Case Study: Hemp Fiber Properties – Casey Lapham and Parinaz Heydar – Followed by session Q&A
- 2:15 – 3:10 PM – Jefferson Hemp Research Highlights – Dr. Ron Kander and Gabriella Fioravanti – Followed by session Q&A
- 3:10 – 4:00 PM – Panel Discussion: The Future of Hemp
- Andrew Bish, COO, Bish Enterprises & President, Hemp Feed Coalition
- Cameron McIntosh, President and Principal Owner, Americhanvre LLC
- Sarah Mitchell, Industrial Hemp Specialist, King’s AgriSeeds
- Mike Roth, Director of Innovation, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
- Erica Stark, Chair, Pennsylvania Hemp Industry Council
- 4:00 PM – Closing Remarks
Lunch Menu
Pocono Organics is home to the Cafe, led by Chopped Champion Chef Lindsay McClain. Lunch from the Cafe is available for $30 per person, and must be reserved and paid at the time of registration. Menu will include:
Appetizer: Grazing Platter: hummus, babaganoush, roasted peppers, olives, cured meats, seasonal jam, mustard, flatbread and fresh baked bread
Entrée: Sandwich Platter Trio – smoked salmon, dill scented cream cheese, cucumbers on brioche, chicken salad with cranberries on croissant, roasted pepper, arugula, fresh mozzarella and babaganoush on foccacia
Side: Basil Pesto Pasta Salad
Dessert: Brownies with microgreen powder
Coffee, Tea and Water
Registration
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Hotel Accommodations - The Village at Pocono
Overnight Accommodations are available at The Village at Pocono, located next door to Pocono Organics. Mention the Hemp Field Day at Pocono Organics to receive a discounted rate.
Reserve A RoomFeatured Speakers
Tara Caton
Research Associate, Pocono Organic Center, Rodale Institute
Gabriella Fioravanti
Research Instructor, Project Manager, Thomas Jefferson University
Dr. Arash Ghale
Research Director, Pennsylvania Campuses, Rodale Institute
Dr. Wade Heller
Research Microbiologist, USDA-ARS
Dr. Ronald Kander
Dean, Kanbar College of Design, Engineering & Commerce
Dr. Dinesh Panday
Soil Scientist, Rodale Institute
Dr. Drew Smith
Chief Scientific Officer
Dr. Wade Heller
Research Microbiologist, USDA-ARS
Dr. Ronald Kander was the founding Dean of the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce at Thomas Jefferson University where he currently does research in the areas of materials characterization, materials processing, materials selection, system dynamics modeling, and integrative design thinking. He received a BS in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University, and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware. Dr. Kander’s recent research has focused on an integrated study of the material science, process engineering, product design, supply chain economics and sustainability of industrial and consumer products made from hemp-derived materials.