6:30pm to 8:30pm |
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Growing Industrial Hemp in the Shenandoah Valley
(Seminar/Conference)
Virginia Hemp Company (https://www.vahempco.org/) has expressed an interest in building a hemp-processing facility in Shenandoah County. The company, which intends to process the hemp for its fiber and for bedding, is seeking farmers to grow hemp. The company want farmers to grow a type of hemp designed to produce fiber.
A surge in interest in industrial hemp has arisen following passage of the 2014 Farm Bill allowing industrial hemp research programs. Industrial hemp has numerous uses, including feed, fiber, and flower/pharma. The long fibers in hemp fiber varieties have one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios among natural fiber sources, while the short fibers are highly absorbent. Both fiber types have numerous industrial applications.
This educational meeting is designed to provide area farmers with information about growing hemp. The main focus of the meeting is hemp for fiber.
- Overview of Virginia Hemp Plans and Basic Program for Working with Area Farmers to Grow Hemp
Sam Grant, President Virginia Hemp Company
- Basics of Growing Industrial Hemp
Glenn Rhodes, Riverhill Farms, Rockingham County
- Basic Facts about Growing Industrial Hemp
John Fike, Extension Specialist, Virginia Cooperative Extension
- Panel Discussion (A panel will gather at the front of the room to answer questions) - Panelists will include the speakers and a representative from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and other universities.
There is no need to register in advance. For more information, please call Bobby Clark (540-459-6140) or Doug Horn (540-564-3080).
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