Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Industrial hemp an economic opportunity

The 100 Mile House Industrial Hemp Project has sparked growing interest in the region.

Industrial Hemp Pilot Project (IHPP) manager Erik Eising said the project’s scope of having hemp produced, processed and marketed in the region brought more producers into the project in 2010.

He noted the 85 acres planted in fibre-producing industrial hemp in the 100 Mile area makes it the only industrial hemp production centre in British Columbia.

The IHPP now covers a region stretching from Ashcroft to Vanderhoof with 100 Mile House remaining as the processing hub, Eising explained.

Project efforts in 2010 included a local 100 Mile House Industrial Hemp producer group that was formed in January, followed by maintenance and observation work on the test plots performed by student co-ordinator Robin Diether.

In August, a partnership was formed with The Alternative Village at the University of Manitoba (UM).

The District of 100 Mile House is spearheading the IHPP and Coun. Mel Torgerson said the district has been looking toward projects like this for much-needed economic diversification.

He added the IHPP has been ongoing for seven years and allows two avenues of opportunity, namely the green-building industry and industrial hemp processing.

“With the partnering of the university, we’ll be much further ahead and, hopefully, we can advance this project.”

With only a few minor hemp fibre processors in Canada and none in the United States, the district branded itself as the Canadian Knowledge Centre for Industrial Hemp Fibre Processing in September.

Seeding the 20 test plots as part of the only varietal test program for research in B.C., results were shared with partners, such as the UM.

“This year, we are testing five varieties and we’re replicating each variety four times to establish reliable results,” said Diether.

The 2010 Industrial Hemp Green Building Conference held in November showcased some of the industrial hemp green-building techniques.

Some 70 people participated over the course of the three-day conference, which included an industry meeting, technical presentations and hands-on workshops focusing on hemp construction and alternative building materials.

A consensus was reached by the producers, presenters and instructors that an industrial hemp green building organization was needed, Eising said, adding efforts got underway to set that up,.

Also initiated at the conference was the formation of a team to prepare for a transportable, hemp construction building for demonstration purposes in 100 Mile House, a target that has been in the IHPP’s sights for some time.

- 100 Mile House free Press

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