IH RISE Industrial Hemp Farmer Informational Events
IH RISE hosted an event series across the state of Illinois, educating farmers on the current state of Industrial Hemp as a row crop. The events covered the basics of growing Industrial Hemp for both fiber and grain. Policy and regulatory updates were included throughout the event, along with an overview of the industry and current uses for hemp materials. Also, the event served as an introduction to IH RISE’s mission, what it means for the community, and ways to get involved!
Event #1
Mendota Civic Center
Date: December 3rd 2025
Address: 1901 Tom Merwin Dr, Mendota, IL 61342
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Speaker: Kelly Burke Founder of IH RISE
Panel Speakers:
- Mahdi Vaezi, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Engineering Technology
- Brandon Pitcher
- Jarett Burke CEO of Kifcure
Event #2
Illinois Valley Community College
Date: January 7th 2026
Address: Illinois Valley Community College, 815 N Orlando Smith St, Oglesby, IL 61348
Room: Building CTC-124 (Conference Room)
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Speaker: Kelly Burke Founder of IH RISE
Panel Speakers:
- Jennifer Timmers, Ph.D.
- Karla Gage, Ph.D.
- Ben Adolph Co-Founder – Merge Impact
- Jarett Burke Founder of Kifcure
Event #3
Emerald Acres
Date: February 4th 2026
Address: Emerald Acres 4N250 IL-47, Virgil, IL 60151
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Speaker: Kelly Burke Founder of IH RISE
Guest Speakers:
- Andrew Bish, President of the Hemp Feed Coalition
- Jarett Burke CEO of Kifcure
Event #4
Southern Illinois University
Date: February 25, 2026
Address: 1785 University Press Dr. Carbondale, IL 62901
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Speaker: Kelly Burke Founder of IH RISE
Panel Speakers:
- Brenda Henderson, The Center Director of the Apex Accelerator
- Dr. Gary Kinsel, Director of the Cannabis Science Center at Southern Illinois University
- Dr. Karla Gage, The Professor of Weed Science and Plant Biology at Southern Illinois University
- Tracy Hill, Executive Director of IH RISE
Event #5
College of Dupage
Date: March 11th, 2026
Address: Technical Education Center, 425 22nd St, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Speaker: Kelly Burke Founder of IH RISE
Panel Speakers:
- Brandon Smith-Natara, Professor of Horticulture
- Jarett Burke Founder of Kifcure
- Tracy Hill Executive Director of IH RISE
Events IH RISE Attended
Biomass Conference
- IH RISE was listed as an industry collaborator for the Northern Illinois University College of Engineering and Technology booth at the International Biomass Conference & Expo.
- IH RISE is so proud of NIU’s faculty and students for the research they conduct in the bioplastics and materials space.
Science and Spirituality Center
Date: April 2nd, 2026
Creative Banking Seminar
Location: Mendota Civic Center 1901 Tom Merwin Dr. Mendota
IH RISE Speaker:
- Tracy Hill, Executive Director
Tracy’s Topic: Renewable Energy Projects
Illinois Finance Authority Speakers:
- Claire Brinley
- Vice President, Climate Bank Programs
- Brad Fletcher
- Managing Director, Public Finance
- Erin O’Leary
- Associate, Public Finance & Operations
- Jakub Budz
- Associate, Climate Bank Programs
CRI Symposium
Location: I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center 1900 South First Street Champaign, IL 61820
Date: June 1st, 2026
IH RISE Speaker: Kelly Burke
Kelly’s Topic: Infrastructure Innovation
Description of Kelly’s Speech: Kelly discussed A Community-Centered Model for Regional Infrastructure Deployment Framework.
Organizers: University of Illinois Chicago, Cannabis Research Institute
Title: Cultivating Connections: Showcasing Equity-Centered Research & Community-Based Education Initiatives Across Illinois
Event Purpose: CRI brought together researchers, educators, medical professionals, and industry members to speak about social equity within community education and research