SAS-1 Sustainably Incorporating Hemp Biobased Economy into Western US Regional Rural and Tribal Lands

This work is supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS), Grant no. 13333755/Project accession no. 1027531 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

Project Description

Advance Genetic Resources

Improve hemp genetics for enhanced production, handling, processing, and materials utilization that meets end-user quality specifications.

Sustainable Intensification

Identify key production areas in the region for the different market classes and estimate how hemp can complement existing production systems and commodity markets.

Bio-Based Materials and Product Development

Assess existing and needed regional infrastructure to determine if and where processing facilities could be located to support biobased products manufacturing.

Materials Yield and Quality

Determine the effects of production environment on yield and quality of hemp grain, fiber, and essential oil materials and manufactured goods.

Regional Economic Development Extension

Linked Chain

Determine those effects on the capacity to dependably supply hemp materials for value-added products manufacturing.

Workforce Development Education

Le'Waski Watkins

Implement education to train a multicultural workforce that can effectively communicate and work with diverse participants in all aspects of a hemp-based economy.

Research and Outcomes

Research Outcomes, Products, and Information

Management Team

Hemp Close Up

Project Organizational and Communications Team Members