Elise N Clote

Elise N Clote was born and raised in St. Louis, MO and has always had a head for business and a heart for agriculture. During her time as a Razorback at the University of Arkansas studying Agribusiness Management and Marketing, Elise interned with Southern Risk Management Education Center (SRMEC) and The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI). Her focus at IFAI was the Native American Youth in Agriculture Summit, held each summer on the U of A campus. Elise has always focused on working with small local farmers and building awareness on sustainable agricultural practices. She was the Event Manager at the Fayetteville Farmers Market and the Produce Assistant Manager at Ozark Natural Foods Coop. She had the honor of buying, marketing and selling local farmers produce and goods from over 80 suppliers who resided within a 100-mile radius of the Coop. But the career direction changed from produce to hemp when she began using hemp derived CBD oil to relieve debilitating migraines. 

After this discovery Elise uprooted her life for a job in Winchester, KY working for a vertically integrated CBD manufacturing company. This startup company offered the prospect to wear many hats that utilized her many skill sets.  This opportunity allowed for an educational experience in hemp processing and was a great introduction to the hemp industry. Her excitement for the future of industrial hemp fiber pushed her to leave Kentucky and start her own business, Emerald Bison LLC, with her partner Thomas Bisbee. The team began working with clients to provide educational resources, tools and consultation to underrepresented peoples in the emerging hemp industry. The vision and mission of Emerald Bison LLC aligned with similar goals of Hempstead Project HEART and resulted in Marcus Grignon inviting Elise to be a part of the HPH team as Director of Operations.  Elise now resides on the National Hemp Association Standing Committee for Social Equity and previously was the Secretary for the US Hemp Building Association.