VGCC hosts screenings of documentary on Industrial Hemp
Local farmers and other residents recently learned about industrial hemp and the economic opportunities associated with the crop at a series of free presentations on three campuses of Vance-Granville Community College. The “dinner and a movie” events, at which attendees watched an award-winning independent documentary, “Bringing it Home,” were held on VGCC’s Warren County Campus in Warrenton, Franklin County Campus near Louisburg and Main Campus in Vance County. A total of more than 100 people attended.
According to VGCC Dean of Continuing Education Dale Fey, the college’s objective was not to advocate for a position but rather to provide education on this “hot topic.” The informational programs were made possible in part by a grant, entitled “Cultivating and Connecting Agricultural Communities,” awarded to VGCC as part of the Rural Community College Agricultural Cooperative Initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The featured speaker at the events was Jeff Cartonia of the North Carolina Industrial Hemp Association, which successfully lobbied the North Carolina General Assembly to make industrial hemp a legal crop in the state in 2015. Hemp is still not being farmed, however, because the new N.C. Industrial Hemp Commission has not officially established an agricultural pilot program for the cultivation of industrial hemp in the state. The commission’s first meeting is scheduled for Nov. 1.
The 52-minute film, “Bringing it Home,” directed by North Carolina-based filmmakers Linda Booker and Blaire Johnson and distributed by Bullfrog Films, sheds light on the history of industrial hemp in the United States and in Europe. It also discusses the various uses for industrial hemp, including as a sustainable material for construction and manufacturing. More common uses for the crop are for the textile, paper, cosmetics, food and animal feed/bedding markets.
Following the film screening, Cartonia took questions from audience members at each presentation. He was also joined via phone by Colorado hemp farmer Rick Trojan. While Trojan addressed agricultural issues, Cartonia offered information on the legal, regulatory and economic atmosphere that prospective hemp farmers face. The speakers agreed that North Carolina could become one of the nation’s leading industrial hemp producers. “Hemp just came back to the United States three years ago,” Cartonia noted, because of changing federal laws. “The techniques are all new to us, but we have great resources overseas to learn from.” Asked if there is a market for hemp, Cartonia replied, “There is demand, and as things ramp up, it will become more attractive. We think we can do it better in North Carolina than in any other state.”
Above: Jeff Cartonia talks about industrial hemp at a presentation in the Civic Center on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. (VGCC photo)
