Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1118440
SiG MT 37 SiG MT 35 Colby Johnson examines an early-stage flower of the hemp plant. Montana farmers have found that industrial hemp grows well in Montana's climate with a short season and low precipitation. save the family farm. Use it as a tool, especially when prices for other commodities are low." Because the Montana Department of Agriculture did its homework and was prepared for farmers to grow industrial hemp when the federal farm bills allowed, Montana is presently number one among the states for growing industrial hemp. Although hemp can be grown across the United States, Montana's climate is especially conducive for growing the crop. At twenty-nine, Colby Johnson is likely the youngest progressive farmer FARM406 has featured. If he can't be found at the farm, he might be in Conrad where the Big Sky Hemp extraction plant is being located. e Johnsons and one other area farmer have built the plant in their hometown because they are very aware that small Montana towns can face extinction. A thriving business, such as the hemp extraction plant, will bring more jobs and activity to the community. is extraction plant will use an ethanol extraction process to pull the oil from the flower and produce the CBD oil. e CBD oil is then processed into isolates, which is a dry powder that can be easily shipped to buyers. "e extraction plant looks a lot like a chemistry lab," said Johnson. "When we are ready to contract with other farmers, having an extraction plant available in Montana's central growing district will