Meanwhile in Ontario...

[SHRED]

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...while the USA continues it's war on hemp, loses record amounts of jobs, and continues it's economic slide:


Hemp refiner expected to provide new income for 200 farmers
Posted By JOYCE CASSIN
Posted 3 days ago


After nearly 10 years of research and development in industrial hemp, Stonehedge Bio- Resources Inc. of Sterling is ready to lead the way in commercializing hemp in North America.

Building on a business case developed through the Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Innovation Network (ELORIN), Stonehedge is now set to establish a bioprocessing facility in Eastern Ontario to serve North American markets. Some of the products and co-products are aimed at the automotive, energy, agriculture, construction material, and pulp and paper markets. This fibre separation facility (decortication plant) is expected to provide new farm income for about 200 farmers, putting more than 12,000 acres into cultivation, said John Baker, president and founder of Stonehedge.

They secured $2 million in funding from Great Britain and met with the British Consulate on Wednesday, Northumberland County chief administrative officer Bill Pyatt told County council Wednesday afternoon.

"Hopefully they'll be able to obtain provincial and federal dollars as well," Mr. Pyatt said. "This industry will supply all of North America."

Starting this spring, Stonehedge expects to build a new bio-refining facility in Eastern Ontario that will employ up to 27 people by 2011. The company expects to produce more than $17 million per year in renewable hemp fibre, wood-like chips, and pellets, as well as matting and seed products.

http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1400766

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[Bobbieo]

1. When will industrial hemp be a bona fide crop in the US. It is about time!!!!