Hemp Growers Sought

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Farmers interested in growing a new type of crop this spring for a green industry planning to set up manufacturing operations between Port Hope and Belleville can find out more this Monday, March 16 in Centreton.

John Baker, chief researcher and president of Stonehedge Bio-Resources Inc. in Sterling, wants to grow hemp to make into green, sustainable insulation as well as for construction concrete. The latter material takes carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere for up to 200 years, he said.

The proposed plant would probably need hemp grown this spring for production the "following spring," in May, 2010, Baker said.

He hopes up to 5,000 acres will be in production in this area this spring. The ideal hemp plant varieties, developed through 10 years of research, would grow well in the soils and climate of this region, he said.

Agribusinesses and individual farmers are invited to the Growers Information session from 1:30 to 4 p. m. at the Centreton Community Hall to find out about this "alternative crop," Baker said.

How to grow it and what's required will be shared at that time, but not a final price for the product.

"In two to three years we'll need a couple a hundred farmers," Baker predicted.

He said financing is still being nailed down for Stone- hedge's manufacturing facility, called an industrial hemp refiner, which would be located between the Municipality of Port Hope east toward Belleville. Earlier this year, local MPP Lou Rinaldi announced foreign private investment had been secured but Stonehedge is still looking for more government support and domestic, private investment, Baker said.

He toldNorthumberland Todayhe looked at the closed Kraft Canada plant in Cobourg but it was too large.

"We snooped around (it)," he said. "I don't think it's sold yet."

What Stonehedge needs is 60,000 square feet with very high ceilings to accommodate the hemp refining equipment, Baker said. Ideally, a brand new plant would be the first choice, he added.

Outside of involving farmers in growing hemp, the enterprise would create 27 to 30 jobs, including sales and marketing, plus manufacturing. The number of researchers could be expanded from the current two positions, Baker said.

Most farmers would not need new equipment to plant hemp but Stonehedge would need to take a "leadership role" in the fall harvesting equipment, Baker said.

Northumberland Federation of Agriculture president Lyle Gallagher said he plans to attend Monday's meeting. He said he wants to know the amount of acreage each farmer needs to be involved, what fertilizer is needed and all the costs involved, as well as the bottom line on financial return.

This would be the first commercial processing for industrial hemp in North America. This green alternative product is already being processed in the United Kingdom and it was a group of investors from this company that made a $2-million commitment to Stonehedge Bio-Resources Inc.


News Hawk: User: http://www.420magazine.com/
Source: Northumberland Today
Author: VALERIE MACDONALD
Copyright: 2009 Sun Media
Contact: Contact Us - Northumberland Today - Ontario, CA
Website: Hemp growers sought in this area - Northumberland Today - Ontario, CA