Will co-founded Tennessee Grown in response to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture greenlighting hemp pilot programs and research. In its first years, Tennessee Grown focused on fiber for textiles; now, Will grows hemp for botanical extracts in collaboration with High Plains Crop Production in Colorado Springs. Previously, Will grew flowers and vegetables and apprenticed under Jeff Poppen, who taught him about Biodynamic farming and community-supported agriculture. He also started Six Boots Growers’ Collective in Nashville with fellow growers. Will is active on the board of the Tennessee Hemp Industries Association, which lobbies and advises the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
Will Tarleton
