The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) and Bremer Bank are sponsoring a conversation with stakeholders across the industrial hemp supply chain to discuss current and future applications for Minnesota’s industrial hemp industry. The in-person event is from 2 to 4 p.m. July 26, 2022, at Prairie PROducers in Olivia, Minn.
Among its many potential value-added applications, hemp can be utilized for food as a seed or pressed for its oil – it contains healthy fats and a complete protein profile, including all nine essential amino acids. Hemp stalks can be processed for industrial fiber and biobased product development. It is also a cash crop with a fast maturity that can fit into traditional rotations.
In 2018, the U.S. legalized hemp cultivation and commercialization, removing it from the Controlled Substances Act, prompting significant growth in hemp production. The United States Department of Agriculture reported 54,152 acres of hemp were grown in 2021, with sales totaling $824 million. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture reported, 425 people held licenses to grow or process hemp, totaling 2,800 acres and 318,713 square feet of indoor capacity in 2021.
At the upcoming event, innovators, policy makers, producers and other key partners will explore value-added hemp applications, particularly for food and fiber products that have the potential to transform hemp into high-value products.
What: Fields of Innovation: Exploring Food and Fiber Market Opportunities for Minnesota’s Hemp Supply Chain
When: 2 to 4 p.m. July 26, 2022
Where: Prairie PROducers 2430 West Lincoln Ave., Olivia, Minn. 56277
Event Program
1:30 p.m. — Registration
2:00 p.m. — AURI program introductions, Bremer comments, host introductions from Prairie PROducers and the Lower Sioux Community
2:30 p.m. — 10-minute introductions and/or demonstrations to exhibit hemp projects
• Grassroots Development Hempcrete project overview
• MN Department of Agriculture – hemp program overview
• UMN Plant Protein Innovation Center – hemp for protein, market fit, future at PPIC
• MN Department of Transportation – hemp mat erosion control project
• Hemp Acres – food and fiber processing
• Field Theory – upcycled, regenerative, and flagship hemp products
• SecurCrop Foods – seed, protein, and oil trends, agronomy, and long-term view of hemp production for grain and fiber
3:30 p.m. — Tour of Facility and Demonstration of Lower Sioux and Prairie PROducers equipment
3:50 p.m. — Closing remarks
4:00 p.m. (optional) — Join us for fellowship at Max’ Grill (across the street) to continue the conversation
This event is part of the AURI Connects: Fields of Innovation platform. This platform focuses on bringing together Minnesota’s ag and food value chains around new and emerging crops. Events focus on highlighting promising new crops, examining market opportunities for emerging crops and highlighting new technologies in existing crops.
The event is free and open to the public. Media members are invited to attend. For more information or to register, visit the event page.
About AURI
The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute’s mission is to foster long-term economic benefit through value-added agricultural products. It accomplishes this by using science and technology to help develop new uses for agricultural products. It partners with producers, businesses and entrepreneurs to generate economic impact in Minnesota communities by helping businesses take advantage of innovative opportunities in four focus areas: biobased products, renewable energy, coproducts and food. AURI provides a broad range of services, including applied research and development, scientific assistance and a targeted network of resources to develop value-added uses for crops and coproducts.