Episode 04 — Rachel Berry

Rachel is a first-generation farmer in Illinois and one of the grassroots forces behind hemp’s return in the state, working at the intersection of farming, policy, and community organizing. As founder and president of the Illinois Hemp Growers Association, she has helped shape legislation, educate growers, and build a regional hemp movement from the field to the policy table.In this conversation, we get into what that work actually looks like on the ground, how Rachel navigates both the practical and political sides of hemp, and how her approach is rooted not just in systems, but in something deeper, ancestral connection, gratitude, and a sense of responsibility to the land.This is a reflection about building something of your own, staying connected to where you come from, and what this next season looks like on the farm.