The Hemp Report

Regina, SK -- February 21st, 2006

     Craik, Saskatchewan will be the site of an Industrial Hemp Production Meeting on Friday March 10th, 2006. The meeting is being produced by the nonprofit Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance (CHTA) and Saskatchewan Hemp Association (SHA).

     "Because of strong prices and growing hempseed markets, we are happy to be back in Craik for our 2006 Production Meeting," says Arthur Hanks, Executive Director, CHTA and Manager of the SHA. "Continued demand for hemp shows that this crop will have a good future in Saskatchewan."

     In 2005 over 87 Saskatchewan producers grew roughly 8000 acres of industrial hemp about a third of the national total. Hemp seed from the 2005 harvest is now being processed into a large variety of health food and natural bodycare products. It is estimated that annual retail sales for hemp seed based products has grown to about $40 million US. Some companies are reporting sales increases of 50% in each of the past two years

     "We have a growing industry with hemp, and its important we do it right. Our meeting will give producers the information that they need to have a successful crop and harvest," says Hanks. "We will be talking about agronomics -- both organically and conventionally -- the hemp value chain and where the market is going. We"ll also look at breeding efforts, contracts, new product development, research and marketing."

     Speakers will include, Kevin Friesen, Hemp Oil Canada (Agronomics), Duane Phillippi, Farmer Direct Co-operative (Markets and Adding Farmer Value), Anndrea Hermann, Hemp Oil Canada (Breeding), Martine Carlina, Hemp Management Group (Nutrition and Markets), and Arthur Hanks, CHTA/SHA (National Report). Full program TBA.

     The meeting will be held at the innovative Craik EcoCentre and will run from 10:30 AM -3 PM with a break for lunch, served at the onsite Solar Garden Grill. Craik, SK is on the Louis Riel Trail (Hwy. #11), close driving distance from both Regina and Saskatoon.

Admission fee will be $10 and includes lunch and day long coffee.

This event is sponsored by Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.

     Established in 2004, the CHTA is a national group of hemp processors, marketers, farmers and researchers. The SHA is a Regina-based service organisation that works with producers on areas such as hemp licensing, cultivation, marketing and networking.

Contact Arthur Hanks at the CHTA/SHA if you plan to attend

Tel: (306) 757-4367
Fax: (306) 757-4365

Email: hcfr@sasktel.net