NoCo Hemp Expo names pitch contest, annual award winners

COLORADO SPRINGS — Established hemp industry players and up-and-comers were recognized in late March at the ninth annual NoCo Hemp Expo, organized by We Are For Better Alternatives.

Winners of the 2023 WAFBA Awards were:

• Elevation Award: Melissa Nelson.
• Community Economic Impact Award: IND Hemp.
• Mother Earth Award: Anndrea Hermann.
• Best New Tech Award: Global Fiber Processing, Bast Fibre Tech.
• Carbon Solution Award: Patrick Brown, Hempfinity/Brown Family Farms.
• Legacy Award: Chris Boucher.
• The Das Award for service: Alex White Plume.

Winners of the NoCo Hemp Expo pitch contest were:

• First place: Bee Delightful.
• Second place: Pure BioPlastic.