Brazeau County is working to diversify its agricultural portfolio, and thinks they may have found the perfect crop.
This past summer, Brazeau County has been running two test plots for growing hemp. For the test project, they have been working with West Central Forage and the University of Alberta.
To help generate more interest among farmers, Brazeau County has formed the Brazeau County Hemp Working Group. Melissa Keeley, with Brazeau County Economic Development, says the working group is very hands-on.
“We are a boots on the ground kind of committee that likes to contact growers, producers, directly and help educate and get them excited about hemp as a different kind of a crop they can start producing,” says Keeley.
As part of their approach, the Working Group held tours of the two test plots on Sept. 13. According to Keeley, some of the visiting farmers were amazed at how well the plants were doing.
“Even though we had an agricultural disaster with the droughts this year, there was no man-made watering to these plots,” says Keeley. “It was all Mother Nature. Just let the plants grow and do their thing.”
The tour was felt to be successful in that many farmers were able to finally get a sense of what goes into growing hemp.
“I do not know if many of them had been into a hemp field before,” says Keeley. “They got to be able to touch the plants and were able to get answers to things they were unsure of.”
Officials say the demand for hemp products is continuing to grow. To accommodate the test plots, there is already a processing facility – called a decorticator – in Drayton Valley.
Brazeau County councillor Anthony Heinrich also sits on the Working Group. Heinrich adds that with this initiative, the County hopes they can give farmers another option.
“That is what we are hoping to show; the opportunity that hemp crops present to farmers as another option to diversify their crop rotations,” says Heinrich. “Hopefully, it is one that is profitable, especially with the changing climate and the pressures that come with climate change.”
Brazeau County is always looking for more farmers who would like to host a test plot on their land. Anyone with question can reach out to the Brazeau County Hemp Working Group at 780-542-7777.
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