#EarthDay Q&A with Onchi Adornetto
Just in time for Earth Day, we had the exciting opportunity to pick the brain of someone we admire, not only for their ability to turn our dreams into an actual product, but for their true dedication to nature.
Jennifer Fuglestad, Director of Operations at WxN, virtually sits down with Onchi Adornetto, VP of Research + Development at Hudson Hemp. (Need a refresher? Read Our Story for our relationship to HH and visit their website to learn more about the work they are doing)
Jen F: Hi Onchi! I am a huge fan of yours, as you know. It is hard being on a call with you and not getting sidetracked by your vast knowledge of not only all things hemp, but just all things period! In my eyes, you are someone that is deeply versed in health and wellness and definitely thinks outside the box. Can you tell me a little more about how that came to be?
Onchi A: I was raised in a strange box where I was encouraged to interact with nature. From picking ramps, berries, and mushrooms on Mt. Greylock in Lanesboro, MA with my Great grandmother to my Grandparents lake cottage where I spent magical summers stimulated my curiosity. I started to make the connections that my health and wellness are directly tied to my environment, my air, my water, my food and that just starts the list. As I got older I observed that to be true for all living things. In school my educational interests were always directed to finding a way to better understand the planet and how all life can best live on it. I have been given a great opportunity with Hudson Hemp to get back to the plants and create better health with botanicals.
JF: Tell me more about what you do with Hudson Hemp and how you came to be a part of their team.
OA: I run the Formulations department and I am also head of the Research and Development department. I have been with Hudson Hemp since its inception. I started the first year helping with seed sowing, planting, and the harvest. As we built out the facilities I took over simple formulations and manufacturing of products. I now oversee the production of products, make the research and development samples, and create the formulations for retail, wholesale, and white label products.
JF: What are some things you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
OA: Mostly I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my husband. We garden, forage, and cook together. I also enjoy reading.
JF: What are you reading right now?
OA: I am reading Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie.
JF: Who are some of your personal heroes, or people we should be following/listening to?
OA: There are so many people I admire and emulate I don’t know where to start. Here are two people worth listening to and following.
Vandana Shiva is a personal hero for her work with seed banking and the soil not oil coalition. Ronnie Cummins for his work to change farming practices to negate climate change and stop the use of GMO crops.
JF: Earth Day is April 22, as you know, but I imagine it is everyday for you! What are some things you feel strongly about as far as protecting Mother Earth?
OA: I feel very strongly about changing pesticide use to save the pollinators, removing GMO seeds from our seed stocks, and finding alternatives to plastics especially in food packaging.
JF: Lastly, at Wellness x Nature we believe whole-heartedly in the power of self-care. What are a few things you do to nourish your mind, body, and soul?
OA: I nourish my mind with sleep and knowledge, I nourish my body with clean food and water which includes hot baths, and I nourish my soul with conscious kindness. I bring my mind, body and soul into harmony through meditation.
JF: Thank you Onchi!
OA: It has been my pleasure Jennifer!
Thank you for reading!
Take 15% off today only (4/22/21) with code EARTHDAY.
10% of profits from the sale will benefit Pollinator Partnership in honor of Earth Day and Onchi’s love for the bees (and other pollinators). Learn more about the organization here.