[420 Girl]

Producers for the 100 Mile House Industrial Hemp Project met July 7 to flesh out details for the summer, including setting the date for the public field day.

Noting three of the four producers were at the meeting, project manager Erik Eising says a lot was accomplished, and David Zirnhelt agreed to carry on as the interim chair of the producers group that was formed in January.

The field day in 100 Mile is open to all members of the public and is slated for Aug. 4, but there are still a few details to be ironed out.

Eising says he, the producers and student co-ordinator Robin Diether are excited about hosting the two-day Green Building Symposium in 100 Mile in September.

Noting several businesses have already expressed interest in using hemp for straw bale building construction, Eising says the producers group will be putting “availability” information on the District of 100 Mile House’s website and also circulating it throughout the green building network.

“We have a number of people from the area interested in hemp straw bale construction, and they came to us. Producers would like to know at harvesting time what type of baling they should do, be it small square bales or round bales.”

Round bales is best suited for processing into fibre and core, he explains, and the small square bale would be done on demand for the green building market.

“When you talk about straw bale building, they use the straw bales to form the walls, cover the straw bale walls with wire mesh and use a plaster to cover the wall, both on the inside and the outside.”

The producer group also discussed having its own website with the goal of expanding its production area, Eising says, adding 100 Mile House would remain as the hub.

Seeding has been accomplished throughout the region, he says, but growing conditions are varied. Producers are definitely praying for rain.

“Moisture conditions are fantastic in 100 Mile, but I hope they’re going to get some rain east of Williams Lake. Quesnel was pretty dry right just when the plants emerged, and Vanderhoof had good weather during planting.”


NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: 100 Mile Free Press
Author: Ken Alexander
Contact: 100 Mile Free Press
Copyright: 2010 BlackPress
Website: Producers anticipate a good year

* Thanks to MedicalNeed for submitting this article


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