Illinois Hemp Growers Association
BENEFIT CORPORATION
Our Team
Rachel Berry, Founder and CEO
Rachel Berry is the Founder and CEO of the Illinois Hemp Growers Association, a grassroots membership organization.
Her hemp industry experience includes:
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Illinois hemp farmer since 2019
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Co-author of IL House Bill 0064 and Senate Bill 1775
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Nationwide host/speaker/panelist at hemp industry and community events
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USDA / IL Hemp Sampling Agent (2024)
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Standing Committee of Hemp Organizations Member,
National Hemp Association (2023-2025) -
Hemp Market Manager, PanXchange (2023)
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Midwest Hemp Research Collaborative participant/grower (2023)
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Secretary & Director of Regional Leaders,
U.S. Hemp Building Association (2020-2022) -
Client relations / superintendent on a $1M startup grow in 2019
She is a first-generation farmer, a hemp industry journalist with experience in market analysis, a dedicated community organizer and educator, actively contributing to the development and knowledge-sharing within the hemp industry. Her broad experience combines on-the-ground farming practices with educational leadership and market insight, driving forward the growth and understanding of hemp’s potential.
Rachel has represented the Illinois Hemp Growers Association in many interviews, including with Farm Aid; the New York Times; WTTW's Chicago Tonight; The Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast; The National Hemp Growers Co-Op; The Global Hemp Association; WCBU Peoria; Grow Greater Englewood's Grow Your Own Series; The iHemp Hour; The Mike Nowak Show; NPR's The 21st; The NoCO Hemp Expo; Peoria Public Radio, and in many more media and guest appearances.
She has partnered with the IL Dept. of AG, IL Farm Bureau, IL Agri-Women, Bureau County Soil and Water Conservation District, Chicago Cannabis Company, Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Prairie Liberty Foundation, National Hemp Association, Midwest Hemp Council, iHemp Michigan, National Hemp Association, US Hemp Building Association, 3C-REN, UIUC, Farm Aid, and many others to provide educational and hands on experiences.
In addition to being the Founder and CEO of a grassroots organization and regenerative farmer, Rachel is a community organizer, educator and dedicated volunteer. She serves on the board of directors for the Illinois Stewardship Alliance and believes local food matters and that hemp should be a part of local food systems in the future. She has served the BOD as Director of Regional Leaders for the U.S. Hemp Building Association and has served on the Standing Committee of Hemp Organizations for the National Hemp Association.
Rachel provides education for children and students, including audiences at the Illinois State Fair, National FFA Convention, Bureau County Soil & Water Conservation District, Critter Barn, University of IL Urbana-Champaign, McHenry County College's Center for Agrarian Learning, University of Illinois, IVCC, Southern Illinois University, Olive Harvey College, Illinois College, College of DuPage, IL Cannabis Training Center, and Rutgers University.
Rachel is a 2022 graduate of the Illinois Farm Bureau's Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow Program.
Chris Berry, COO
Chris Berry is the Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of the Illinois Hemp Growers Association (IHGA), a grassroots membership organization specializing in providing educational resources, research and consulting to its members.
Chris balances his time between his full time career in construction and his volunteer work for the Illinois Hemp Growers Association. He utilizes his tech industry experience to build resources for members of the IHGA.
Chris is a seasoned industrial construction leader with 16+ years of experience executing
multi-million-dollar projects across the advanced technology, manufacturing, and AEC sectors. He is a UBC Certified Journeyman Millwright and IISE Certified Six Sigma Green Belt.
His specialty is in steering projects from concept through closeout with a sharp focus on quality,
safety, and budget discipline. Experienced in both greenfield and brownfield development, Chris combines field-tested leadership with a strong command of digital tools to support
data-driven decision-making, schedule transparency, and real-time project oversight.
With a project portfolio spanning domestic and international sites, including major work in the U.S., Canada, and Japan, Chris has a proven track record leading design-build initiatives, driving process innovation, and building high-performing, cross-functional teams. He is committed to delivering sustainable, value-driven solutions that exceed client expectations.
Chris lives on a small farm in Princeton, Illinois with his wife Rachel and their two children.
