Hemp Voices: Pierre Berard HEMI The Goodness of Hemp
Pierre Berard is executive director of Hemp Education and Marketing Initiatives (HEMI) and the Goodness of Hemp® campaign
My mission is to create initiatives that directly increase revenue for industrial hemp stakeholders, throughout the value chain, from farmer to user. HEMI is using the proven practices that other industries have successfully established: think Cotton Inc., the United Soybean Board, the Almond Board of California, etc.
Building materials are a strategic growth sector for industrial hemp: hemp brings key performance attributes to construction materials (non-toxicity, fire and mold resistance, etc.) and products are U.S.-grown and U.S.-made, which is critical for HEMI to foster healthy linkages between farmers and domestic manufacturing.
What was a win for your company in the past year?
HEMI subsidized 17 hemp organizations to come to the Greenbuild International Conference in Philadelphia, under The Goodness of Hemp banner, which allowed many companies to exhibit their products in a non-hemp venue for the first time, get exposure to architects, builders, and sustainability professionals, and of course, to generate sales leads. The event was highly successful and it helped me to refine the approach that HEMI will keep developing in 2025.
HEMI helps industrial hemp firms sell their products & services. How? Through EDUCATION & MARKETING INITIATIVES to raise awareness and to build trust among consumers under The Goodness of Hemp® identity.
HEMI relies on third-party verified data and factual evidence to support all communication campaigns and shape industry narratives. In partnership with other hemp associations, HEMI strives to foster a unified industry voice in the United States and build a common framework.
What challenges can you identify for the hemp building industry that we must overcome? Marketing and education! We need construction professionals to know about The Goodness of Hemp, that is why HEMI was founded.
Email: pberard@hempinitiatives.org
