Moderator: Marguerite Bolt, Hemp Extension Specialist, Purdue University

Marguerite Bolt received her M.S. in Entomology from Purdue University, and her B.S. in Entomology from Michigan State University.  Bolt's research has focused on hemp-insect interactions and plant chemistry.  She is interested in the secondary compounds that hemp produces and how they affect insect pests, as well as identifying economically important pests of hemp and how to use integrated pest management techniques for the developing system.

Phillip Alberti, University of Illinois Extension

Phillip Alberti works in commercial crop production, assisting growers and producers by providing resources for row crop production. His area of expertise includes soil fertility, production systems, and industrial hemp.

Originally from Southeastern Wisconsin, Phillip received a Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology and Botany from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2015 and a Master of Science in Plant Sciences from South Dakota State. During the year, he provides consultation and assistance to area growers and producers related to their management practices. 

Dr. Shelby Ellison, University of Wisconsin Madison

Dr. Ellison is an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in the Department of Horticulture. Her research program focuses on preserving, characterizing, and utilizing genetic diversity in alternative crops to address modern day agricultural challenges. Dr. Ellison works with a multidisciplinary team to develop best production practices for hemp in the Midwest. She is also trials high cannabinoid hemp cultivars and teaches the course, "The Science of Hemp", at UW Madison. 

Dr. James Dedecker, Michigan State University

Dr. James DeDecker is Director of the MSU Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center in Chatham, MI.  He has conducted hemp research and outreach since 2019 with a focus on variety testing and impacts of hemp on Native American communities.