I’ve spent the last few years fighting on two fronts: one with my health, and one in the hemp fiber supply chain.
For the last month or so, I was stuck in a hospital bed dealing with a disease that likes to keep me on my toes — I had a lot of time to think. And I kept coming back to the same thing: how messy and fragile this hemp fiber industry really is.
Everyone loves to talk about “miracle crops” and big sustainability promises. But on the ground, it’s a different story. The real work happens in the genetics, the fields, the processing plants, and the “middle” that no one talks about — the brokers, the logistics people, the folks keeping things moving quietly behind the scenes.
Lying there, I realized my own body and the supply chain had something in common: both are systems that depend on each layer working together. When one part fails, the whole thing falls apart.
After getting out, I wasn’t interested in brand buzzwords or fancy conference slides. I wanted to get back to the farms, the labs, and the people who actually make this work happen. Because real progress starts with them — not with a marketing team trying to sell another greenwashed tagline.
We can’t fix this industry by skipping steps or chasing headlines. It has to be rebuilt from the ground up, tier by tier: from strong genetics and good agronomy to smart processing and honest partnerships. Each piece supports the next.
I didn’t go through all this — personally or professionally — just to watch the same mistakes repeat themselves. I’m here to help build a supply chain that’s real, resilient, and actually delivers on its promises.
So if you’re here for quick hype, this probably isn’t your show. But if you want to talk about what it really takes to make hemp fiber work — for the growers, the processors, the brands, and everyone in between — you’re in the right place.
I’m Aaron Furman. And this is Beyond the Baja, I hope you enjoy the listen!
