Farm406

IndHemp is making every effort to have an ongoing working relationship with farmers and has developed an app so the staff can learn along with those who have contracted with them during the hemp growing cycle. e Ellios have also hosted educational opportunities during several get-togethers with farmers. One of the topics discussed is how hemp is a good rotational crop with wheat and barley. It is eco-friendly because few to no herbicides are required. e hemp plant creates a canopy where weeds are unable to grow. "We encourage farmers to start small by seeding a hundred acres of hemp or less. is mitigates some of the risk associated with growing a new crop but still allows farmers a chance to experience all of the nuances of raising it, including how the plant grows on their soil and with their climate conditions," said Morgan. "Our connection with area farmers will continue to expand. e deadline for geing a license to plant hemp for this year is April 30." e application form can be downloaded or completed at hps://agr.mt.gov/Industrial-Hemp. IndHemp has already contracted 6,000 acres of Industrial Hemp for this year's growing season. e company's goal is for a total of 12,000-15,000 acres. Morgan Ellio, Operations Manager of Ind Hemp, can be reached at 303-887-1821. farm406 20 Male plant putting on pollen. Cary Kolstad with Ken Elliott looking over his field of industrial hemp. Courtesy of Morgan Elliott Courtesy of Morgan Elliott third of last year's contracted grain processed. ey are producing organic and conventionally grown hemp seed oil (not CBD oil) and hemp powder. ese products are approved for human consumption and sold to downstream markets. Cary Kolstad was introduced to the folks at IndHemp through a company called Legacy Hemp. "I recognized Ken Ellio's name, as he started with the hemp pilot program. It was because of this that I decided to do business with them. Finding reputable businesses in this new industry can be tricky," said Kolstad. "Fast forward one year and I am very happy to be working with them. Morgan Ellio has done a fantastic job of assembling a crew including a hemp agronomist from Washington named Ben Brimlow. I hauled my grain down a few weeks ago. It's refreshing to have found a local hemp company that is honest and pays its growers quickly. I will be growing hemp with them for the foreseeable future." IndHemp currently is aware that the straw (fiber), which is a byproduct of the grain varieties, can become a nuisance because farmers are le with it in their fields. "We have ordered the equipment to begin processing the le-over fiber," said Morgan.

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