Pubdate: Fri,  3 Mar 2000
Source: Vermilion Standard (CN AB)
Copyright: 2000 Vermilion Standard
Contact:  4917-50 Ave. Vermilion, Alberta T9X 1A6
Fax: (780) 853-5203
Website: http://www.bowesnet.com/vermilion/
Author: Bob Mellin

HEMP GROWERS INFORMATION MEETING IN VERMILION

A hemp growers information meeting was held in Vermilion Tuesday because of
the large amount of interest in the crop.

Hemp is a new product being grown in Alberta. For that reason hemp
information meetings are being held to shed some of the myths about the
product.

"There are a lot of unknowns about hemp. As growers we are just learning
the basics about the product. There were a lot of things I heard about hemp
before I grew it that I found were not true," said Jim Storch, hemp grower,
during the meeting.

The hemp plant has shown that it will grow well in Alberta fields.

The main question at the meeting was if there is a market for the product.

"After all of the testing we know that hemp will grow very well in Alberta.
But what we don't know is if it can economically be grown in Alberta. Right
now growers are having a hard time finding buyers for their product if it
isn't organic. How do we sell it is the real question," said Dr. Stan
Blade, New Crop Development Unit, CDC North.

Even with the risk of not being able to sell the product, licenses to grow
hemp continue to be a sought after commodity. In 1998 262 licenses were
issued in Canada for 6,006 acres of land. This number is expected to
increase, said Blade. The average size hemp crop is 20 acres, with the
minimum government allowance of 10 acres.

But at a cost of $60 - $80 per acre just for seeding, growers need to see a
return on their crops.

"Last year I grew the minimum. This year I plan to grow 20 acres, that will
double my field. There is a risk involved because it is not a guaranteed
market. I still haven't been able to sell the bulk of this year's crop,"
said Storch.

Even with the risks involved, the industry seems to be growing as more and
more farmers look to hemp.

"We have started the process of creating the Alberta Hemp Growers
Association. We have a list of interested names and we hope the get the
ball rolling. With the possible formation of the association and the
possibility of a hemp processing plant in Alberta, hemp growing is looking
more persuading," said Storch.
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