About Ratoon Agroprocessing.

Anyone who has worked or has been affiliated with the hemp industry understands the growing pains associated with this market. The quick growth of this industry has created some winners and a lot of losers. This can easily be attributed to a number of things ranging from lack of resources, oversight, and expertise. We have developed a business leadership team that focuses on compliance, operational excellence, financial stewardship, and market development.  Each one of our team members has the proven background and accolades that lead to a successful operation. Read about the Ratoon Agroprocessing history, why you should select us as a preferred hemp product processor/manufacturer, and the leadership team.

Established in ​2019

Ratoon Agroprocessing, LLC is a hemp product manufacturer as well as an agricultural service provider for the industrial hemp industry.  Our highly experienced team focuses on proven methods utilized in the pharmaceutical industry. Our team's experience ensures the manufacturing of pure, safe, and potent product.   Our 11,500 sq. ft facility is located just off of I-40 in Marion, North Carolina and currently houses extraction, distillation, and product development equipment. Our scientific leadership team is unmatched in the hemp industry. ​

Why Ratoon Agroprocessing, LLC

Though the hemp industry is an exciting market, the lack of oversight has led to poorly manufactured end products. A majority of the processors or manufacturers do not employ staff members with process chemistry experience, formal training, or educational background. One outcome has been equipment manufacturers selling easy to use extraction systems. There is a downside to "easy to use" equipment and a cheap labor force. The market is flooded with inconsistent products that contain low cannabinoid concentrations, residual solvents, contaminates, etc. All of which puts end-users at risk, which then puts this market at risk. There is an astounding lack of chemistry and safe manufacturing expertise in this market. Furthermore, this lack of oversight and expertise with cGMP has put consumers at risk, as well as this market. We have a passion for the amazing hemp plant. However, the previously mentioned issues of this industry are not a great representation of what hemp has to offer. Hemp farmers have worked extremely hard to bring their crop to market. We believe their hard work should not be undercut because of poor processing methods. This led to the creation of Ratoon Agroprocessing, LLC. ​

The Ratoon Agroprocessing Team

Joseph B. Baker, Ph.D.
Chief Science Officer/Partner

Dr. Baker earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Duke University. Joe has extensive industrial experience including synthesis, purification, and process scale-up in R&D as well as the cGMP manufacture of fine chemicals, API’s, and drug products. He has significant experience in analytical development and validation methodologies. He received a two-year Pharmacological Sciences Training Program Fellowship in Pharmacology and Cancer Biology; is a veteran of the United States Navy; and an Eagle Scout. In addition, Dr. Baker is an experienced industry leader in the hemp extraction/CBD/Delta-8 THC industry.

Brian Baker
Chief Operating Officer/Partner

Brian Baker is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has over 23 years of experience working in the Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and Diagnostic industries. He has extensive experience related to the GMP Manufacturing of Drug Products, which includes experience in Research and Development, Quality Control Chemistry, Quality Control Microbiology, Clinical Pharmacology, Formulation Development, Analytical Chemistry, Technology Transfer, Process Scale-up, Master Batch Record Generation, Production Planning, Sterilization, Lyophilization, Compounding, and Filling. He also has an extensive and diverse laboratory background with experience in various Immunology-based, Cell based, and Chromatography based methodologies and assays.

James Hurlston
​​Chief Executive Officer/Partner

James Hurlston has over 20 years of sales, training, and leadership experience. After earning his B.S. from Illinois State University, James was recruited by sales industry leaders such as Automatic Data Processing, Merck & Company, Inc., and Solstas Laboratories. James specializes in territory, sales process, and customer relationship management. His experience working in both pharmaceutical and clinical laboratory sales led him to focus his passion in science and selling within compliance models set forth by the FDA and OIG.