Pubdate: Wed, 19 Apr 2006 Source: 100 Mile House Free Press (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 100 Mile House Free Press Contact: http://www.100milefreepress.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2143 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?330 (Hemp - Outside U.S.) HEMP IDEAS SPROUTING The seeds that could put 100 Mile on the map as an industrial hemp hub are on order and may be blooming soon. Mayor Donna Barnett met with the Hemp Steering Committee April 10, and said that although she doesn't have an exact date, she knows the seeds will be planted in the not-so-distant future. During the meeting the group dicussed various ways grains and fibre from the plant will be utilized, and put some finishing touches on the funding applications. "This year we will be producing a lot more grain than fibre," she said. "There's an opportunity because the markets are so strong for the health products from the grain." Products springing from the seeds are foods, oils, and personal hygene items. However, it's not all body creams and butters in the group's future. "There is a lot of work to do in researching marketing and product development in the next year," she said. The group will be partnering with the Canim Lake Indian Band and the University of Northen B.C. (UNBC) to bring the project to fruition, she said. "We have a lady that works as a researcher at UNBC, and she will be doing a lot of the research work with UNBC students once the data is gathered," she explained. Once the seeds are grown, the group will analyze the growth and yield of the plant in addition to the cost. - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl