Pubdate: Tue, 19 May 2015
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2015 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Steve Raabe

CEILING HEMP

Farmer Plans to Process Stalks for Insulation

Colorado's nascent hemp industry may get a boost from a grower's plan 
to use hemp stalks for insulation. Baca County farmer Ryan Loflin 
said Monday he has formed a partnership with Hollis, Okla.-based 
Western Fibers for combining processed hemp stalks with recycled 
newspapers and cardboard to create wall and ceiling insulation.

Hemp is genetically related to marijuana but contains little or no 
THC, the psychoactive substance in marijuana. Hemp has dozens of uses 
in food, cosmetics, clothing and industrial materials.

Commercial cultivation of hemp became legal in Colorado under 
Amendment 64, better known as the law that authorized retail sales of 
marijuana. Analysts say hemp's potential to become a significant crop 
hinges on establishing instate industrial uses for its seed and fiber.

"This could really help get the industry going," said Loflin, who in 
2013 planted the nation's first commercial hemp crop in almost 56 
years. "Until now, there really hasn't been an industrial 
infrastructure for hemp in Colorado."

Loflin said his company, Rocky Mountain Hemp, will use a farm 
building near Springfield in southeastern Colorado to shred hemp 
stalks into small pieces suitable for insulation, then mixed with 
cardboard and newsprint.

Western Fibers is working on a prototype of the material. Commercial 
sales could begin by later this year, said Western owner Mike 
McGuire. Loflin said he will employ three to six workers at the 
Springfield facility, depending on sales growth.

"Anytime we can bring in a business and create jobs for the county, 
that's a very good thing," said Sheila Crane, executive director of 
Baca County Economic Development.

Crane said southeastern Colorado is gaining momentum in the hemp 
industry. Last month, Whole Hemp Co. of Colorado Springs said it will 
convert a vacant building in La Junta into a hemp growing and 
processing facility with 30 to 40 workers initially.

According to the Colorado Department of Agriculture, there are 159 
registered hemp growers in the state who have filed to plant 2,648 
acres this year.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom