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Pa r k l a n d The Comeback CroP Homegrown expertise makes Dauphin a hotbed for hemp production by David Square M ark Twain quipped that a lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting its shoes on. A tall tale propelled by a bout of reefer madness took down North America's hemp industry in the 1930s, when industrial rivals stoked rumours that hemp and marijuana were synonymous. As one proponent said at the time, "You'd have to smoke a joint the size of a telephone pole to get even a slight high from industrial hemp." But the lie had nearly circumnavigated the globe before the industry could defend itself, and by 1938, hemp production was discontinued. Sixty years later, the Canadian government reversed its ban on hemp, and soon afterward, Parkland Industrial Hemp Growers (PIHG) was founded in Dauphin. Initial plans to build a processing plant stalled, but PIHG president Chris Dzisiak says the 25-member farmers co-op remains determined to grow the best hemp possible to ensure its reputation as a reliable supplier throughout North America. After a difficult start in 1999, diversification specialist Keith Watson of the Manitoba Department of Agriculture (MDA) was enlisted to breed better hemp plants with large seeds and highquality fibre. Photo courtesy of Parkland Industrial Hemp Growers Seeds, stems and stalks: Healthy hemp plants are a priority for PIHG board members (from left) Robert Baker, Jim Pavlin, Canda Chafe, Derek Sydor, Troy Storey, Chris Dzisiak and Chris Federowich. they're so nutritious, a vegan could likely exist on hemp alone. The hemp stalk's fibre can be processed into fine paper, and hemp-based textiles are among the softest and most durable clothing materials produced from any natural product. Recently, U.S. underwear giant Hanes showed interest in mixing hemp and cotton fibres to produce women's wear. Hemp strengthened the material and increased its wicking properties, making it more comfortable, as well as reducing the amount of dye required to colour the fabric. "We missed out on an $18 million contract because Hanes decided it was too risky to rely on a single Canadian producer of hemp fibre," Dzisiak says. The company inked a deal with an American flax producer instead. But Dzisiak says Hanes lost out, because flax produces about one and a half tons of fibre per acre, while new varieties of hemp developed at Dauphin produce ten tons per acre. "We could easily have met or exceeded their demand for fibre." Another hemp byproduct called hurd, a pithy substance extracted from the stalks, can be mixed with lime-based mortar to make a concrete-like material dubbed hempcrete. Lighter and less brittle than concrete, it has a higher insulation value and it's porous, so it allows moisture to pass through walls, eliminating the need for a vapour barrier. "In Britain, there are entire subdivisions being built of hemp hurd panels and blocks." Hurds can also be used as an ingredient in plastic and to make stuffing for mattresses. Pellets are used as cat litter and small seeds are sold as bird feed. Thanks to the MDAs Parkland Crop Diversification Program, more research and development has been devoted to hemp in the Dauphin area than anywhere else in Canada, Dzisiak says. "We've worked diligently to produce varieties of hemp that have a male and female flower on the same plant," he says. "This type of plant produces lots of good quality fibre as well as commercially viable grain volumes." Remarkably sustainable, industrial hemp has many uses, including clothing, paper, building materials and nutritional super foods. For example, hemp hearts (shelled seeds) have a perfect balance of omega-3 and omega-6 oils. Dzisiak says 16 MBiz November 2012 Though PIHG is focused on marketing, it has been working on a new plan for building a hemp processing plant in Dauphin. "It's a logical place to locate the facility because we have some of the best hemp-growing land and ideal hemp-growing weather anywhere," Dzisiak says. The plant would require a $10 - $14 million investment, but convincing banks to lend that kind of money requires stronger prices and signed contracts. "It's a chicken and egg scenario. You can't have one without the other," Dzisiak says. Still, he's confident there's a lucrative future for hemp growers as the plant's star continues to rise. It seems the truth has finally caught up with the lie. www.pihg.net

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