President’s Report – March/April 2022
What an amazing couple of months it has been for the Tasmanian hemp industry.
The national conference was a great success with fantastic exposure for our industry, showcasing how far we have come with industry development here in Tasmania.
Thanks to AIHC founder Robert Bell and Dr Stuart Gordon from the CSIRO for the work they put into the event as well as the rest of the conference committee. In particular, credit goes to Andi Lucas and her sister Rae Smith, who worked tirelessly in managing this great event, showing much passion and dedication for the Australian hemp industry. I also acknowledge the vital support we have received from the State Government for their contribution via Business Events Tasmania which enabled the national conference to be held in Tasmania.
Further good news: the THA was successful in a grant application to the state government under the Strategic Industry Partnership Program (SIPP). Our organisation has been granted $100,000 for a national consumer awareness campaign that will highlight the health and wellbeing benefits of sustainable Tasmanian hemp food. Special thanks to Committee Member Becky McLoughlin for driving this project forward and bringing her vast experience with grant writing to assist us in securing this funding.
We now have our Executive Officer and several Board Members working in developing this project and are currently in the phase of vetting then selecting the marketing and promotion agency that will craft and manage the social media campaign that will actively promote Tassie grown hemp products and help our state industry gain some solid market growth.
In a follow up to the THA’s submission to the government on the upcoming hemp legislation review (you can read the THA submission here), we are to have a scheduled meeting with the new Tasmanian Minister for Agriculture – the Honourable Jo Palmer MLC – with whom we are looking forward to discussing the development of the Tasmanian hemp industry.
On the cropping front: all crops have been harvested with a significant portion of the grain stubble (or hemp straw) being baled up for processing at X-Hemp. It’s great to see such useful material not going up in smoke and all that carbon captured, and the THA are proud to have created the business case that allowed this start-up to get off the ground last year.
Reports from our Grower Members are telling us that here have been some very good header yields of hemp seed come off the paddocks, and while we are yet to learn about clean yields which will take some months to come through after all crops have been cleaned and dried, there’s every chance of a record-breaking crop once we have the official details.
The harvest went very smoothly this year, with those involved learning how to handle processes and logistics very effectively. Thanks to Morgan Leith (THA Board Member), who plays a key role in keeping a smooth harvest going, which contributes enormously to the quality of hemp seed in Tasmania. With such effective cooperation between growers, agronomists and processors, the Tasmanian industry is showing the rest of Australia how to build a strong and profitable hemp industry.
On the national front, the Australian Hemp Council (AHC) has agreed to support and be involved in the creation of a Cooperative Research Centre bid for the Australian Hemp Industry headed by the University of Southern Queensland. This proposal involves industry-led programs with matched commonwealth funding supporting collaboration between industry, business, researchers, government and community. It is a great opportunity to boost the development of our industry, which is covered by a 10-year program.
The AHC is also applying for an AgriFutures program that will fund the creation of a best management production guide for farmers and agronomists growing hemp in Australia. We have put together a great team to manage this project over the next few months.
On the industrial hemp variety trials, we hope to work with AgriFutures in encouraging extra varieties to be included in the trials, as well as the establishment of trials in NSW and QLD, where those state governments are slow to realise the potential for their respective agricultural industries and growers.
Finally, the AHC is advertising a position in our organisation for a Communications Manager in the capacity of a professional volunteer. This will be a key position in the organisation, coordinating the flow of information throughout the industry using the AHC and state hemp organisation’s networks to keep all informed about industry developments.
If you have a passion for hemp, good communications skills and would like to be part of and contribute to this amazing industry, then please get in touch. For further information and enquires, you can contact the AHC at info@AustralianHempCouncil.org.au.