1000 x 90

Hemp Farming To Be Discussed in Salisbury Nov. 2 During NCDA ‘Lunch and Learn’ Session

The subject of growing industrial hemp in North Carolina will be discussed during a “Lunch and Learn” session for farmers at the NC Department of Agriculture Piedmont Research Station in Salisbury on November 2, 2016.

Legislation enacted by the General Assembly in 2015 established an agricultural pilot program for cultivating industrial hemp.

Founder’s Hemp, based in Asheboro, is the first vertically integrated hemp company organized in the state and sponsor of the event.

“We are pleased to work in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and NC State University in hosting this event,” said Bob Crumley, president of Founders Hemp. “This is an exciting new opportunity for farmers to fill the void left by tobacco, and will be an economic ‘win-win’ for our state.”

Industrial hemp has a wide variety of uses. Fiber is used in twine, paper, construction materials, carpeting and apparel. Seeds and leaves are used in making industrial oils, cosmetics, medicine and nutritious food products.

Hemp is grown in more than 30 countries, and it has been legal to import hemp products into the United States for many years. The Federal Agricultural Act of 2014 called for universities and state departments of agriculture to begin cultivating domestic industrial hemp.

The lunch session in Salisbury will include discussions of the roles of the Department of Agriculture and NC State University in researching hemp production, concerns for law enforcement and farming information from experienced hemp farmers.

Speakers will include Sandy Stewart, director of the Research Stations Division of the NC Department of Agriculture and a member of the NC Hemp Commission; Angela Post, Small Grains Extension Specialist at NC State; Keith Edmisten, professor of crop science at NC State; Sam Page, Rockingham County Sheriff; Bob Crumley, president of Founder’s Hemp and Scott Shoulars, agronomist. Other presenters include Tom Hutchens, president of Kentucky Hemp Seed Research and Development; Rick Trojan, Colorado hemp farmer and Garry Meier, Canadian hemp farmer and processor.

To make a reservation for the Lunch and Learn, contact Waylon Saunders, director of Farming Operations at Founder’s Hemp at (336) 580-4950 or email Waylon@foundershemp.com.