Hemp Fiber – Finding Value in the Supply Chain

View the project final report

Commodities

• Agronomic: hemp

Practices

• Crop Production: other, varieties and cultivars
• Education and Training: demonstration, extension, on-farm/ranch research, technical assistance, workshop
• Pest Management: field monitoring/scouting

While farmers are interested in diversifying crops by growing hemp for fiber, they lack information on the best strategies to grow and process hemp fiber in Vermont and access new markets. This project helps close this knowledge gap and overcome market barriers through a supply chain collaboration with our farm partner,  fiber processor, Zion Growers, and lead designers on hemp fiber products for the design/build sector.  This project seeks to develop hemp production practices that produces fiber suitable for a variety of markets. The benefits to farmers are improved fiber yield and quality and ultimately higher profitability.

Objective 1. Identify hemp varieties that maximize fiber yield. If successful, growers will be able to select varieties that help them reduce inputs and maximize yields.

Objective 2. To identify best harvest dates for optimizing fiber yield and quality. If successful, growers will adopt appropriate harvest windows to maximize yield and quality.

Objective 3. To evaluate the effect of different field retting durations on the properties of hemp fiber in Vermont’s climate. If successful, growers will become effective in identifying proper retting duration required to produce higher quality fiber.

Through interactive outreach and by developing videos of key stages of fiber processing to value-add, we will reach a wide audience of the farming community. This project responds not only to the needs of farmers growing hemp but the demands of farmers for diversification with product innovation in response to increasing consumer demand for sustainable fiber use. 

This project seeks to develop hemp production practices that produces fiber suitable for a variety of markets. The benefits to farmers are improved fiber yield and quality and ultimately higher profitability.

Objective 1. Identify hemp varieties that maximize fiber yield. If successful, growers will be able to select varieties that help them reduce inputs and maximize yields.

Objective 2. To identify best harvest dates for optimizing fiber yield and quality. If successful, growers will adopt appropriate harvest windows to maximize yield and quality.

Objective 3. To evaluate the effect of different field retting durations on the properties of hemp fiber in Vermont’s climate. If successful, growers will become effective in identifying proper retting duration required to produce higher quality fiber.

These research and education objectives will result in the development of best management practices delivered to farmers and end- users through an extensive outreach program. The outreach materials will be delivered via guides, videos, web-based resources, and outreach events.