One hundred kilometres to the east of Edmonton, a small town is making its mark in a fast-growing sector many have never heard of — industrial hemp. Vegreville is emerging as a global investment destination for the processing and manufacturing of hemp seed, fibre, and cannabidiol.
"We may be a small community, but we’re having a big impact on the economy as Alberta’s (and arguably, Canada’s) hemp hub. One reason is location. Longer northern daylight hours in the summer mean the Vegreville region can grow up to the 30-per-cent higher yields than regions in the southern part of the province. We’re also close to key highways and intermodal container terminals, allowing for easy access to Canadian, American, and Pacific markets."
"But it’s more than just location. Our industry has undoubtedly benefited from the vision of Innotech Alberta and the genius of one man. Dr. Jan Slaski is an expert in agronomy, hemp, and cannabis, who, in 2002, began a process of crop development and optimization, selecting and breeding hemp varieties that would perform well in Alberta’s soil conditions and climate."
"Since then, he and his team at InnoTech Alberta have played an indispensable role in establishing hemp as a mainstream crop with industrial applications, including fibre processing, feedstock development, and biocomposite research. Their efforts are bearing considerable fruit."
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