Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Industrial Hemp Conference topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County-backed industrial hemp conference planned for December to spur local fiber, building uses
Summary
Legislators said Cornell Cooperative Extension won an RFP to organize a county industrial hemp conference, expected in December and intended to connect farmers, building-materials experts and cottage manufacturers
Committee members received an update on an economic-development RFP that funds an industrial hemp conference and related programming. Legislator (chair) said the county’s Department of Economic Development issued an RFP to promote industrial hemp in Ulster County; Cornell Cooperative Extension won the bid and is organizing a conference that will bring farmers, building materials experts and entrepreneurs together in December.
Legislators discussed the potential for hemp-based products ranging from insulation and composite boards to food and fiber markets. The committee named speakers and experts expected to attend or present, including Henry Gage (hemp insulation expert) and representatives from Cornell’s grain-and-fiber research programs; the planned venue would accommodate more than 100 people and could be hosted at a SUNY New Paltz facility.
The conference is intended to help farmers evaluate hemp as a field crop alternative to straw, create local processing/“cottage industry” opportunities and showcase usable products such as hemp insulation, composite wood and food ingredients from hemp seed. Legislator who reported on the RFP said she and staff will attend a Cornell field event on Sept. 11 and will provide a fuller report at the Oct. meeting.
Ending: The committee asked Economic Development and Cornell Cooperative Extension to return in October with venue details, a draft program and estimated costs for the December conference.
