Hemp Happening: Rural Vermont, Full Sun Company of Middlebury, VT and Vote Hemp Host a Hemp Networking Event

Hemp Happening:  Hemp Advocates Cheer Hemp Inclusion in U.S. Farm Bill

Rural Vermont, Full Sun Company of Middlebury, VT and Vote Hemp Host a Hemp Networking Event and Film Screening of the Hemp Documentary, “Bringing It Home.”

March 19, 6:00pm-9pm. Ilsley Public Library, 75 Main Street • Middlebury, VT 05753

 In light of President Obama signing the federal Farm Bill that included a section which allows hemp cultivation by higher educational institutions, and Vermont’s passage of transformative hemp legislation last year, Rural Vermont, Full Sun Company of Middlebury, VT, and Vote Hemp will be hosting a hemp networking gathering and special screening of the hemp documentary, Bringing it Home. The event is intended for all those interested in cultivating hemp, and networking with other Vermont farmers, processors and advocates. The event will be held on Wednesday March 19, 6pm-9pm, at the Ilsley Public Library in Middlebury.

The event will feature remarks from long time hemp entrepreneur and advocate, Netaka White(formerly of the VSJF), co-owner of Full Sun Company of Middlebury Vermont. White and his business partner, David McManus, will discuss Full Sun's commitment to processing locally grown hemp and explore ways that Vermont farmers can be involved in the state’s emerging hemp industry. Reuben Stone, a past director for the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance and fourth generation farmer in Lower Stafford Ontario, will also be sharing his experiences in growing the Canadian hemp market.

Rural Vermont Organizer, Robb Kidd of Montpelier, VT and Vote Hemp Board member, Eric Lineback of Dummerston, VT will give an update on how the changes in Vermont and the federal law may authorize Vermonters to grow hemp this year or in the near future. “The legal status of industrial hemp is evolving rapidly, and because of transformative legislation passed by the Vermont Legislature, along with strong support by Vermont's entire Congressional delegation, Vermont Ag researchers and farmers are now in a position to play a leading role,” states Robb Kidd, Rural Vermont Organizer.

The night's event will also include a special showing of the award winning hemp documentary, “Bringing it Home” (52 minutes), courtesy of Hemp History Week. The film tells the story of hemp’s past, present and future through interviews with hemp business leaders and entrepreneurs from all over the globe, historical images and media clips, and footage filmed in the U.K, Spain, Washington D.C., California and North Carolina. The documentary aims to magnify dialogue about hemp in order to facilitate America’s transition to a more informed, sustainable, and healthy future. For more information about the film visit the film's website, www.bringingithomemovie.com/

This event is an opportunity for all those who are interested in networking with other Vermonter farmers, processors and advocates of an agricultural hemp crop. Contact Robb Kidd, Rural Vermont Organizer, at (802)223-7222 or robb@ruralvermont.org for more information.

Rural Vermont is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to growing a community-based food system for Vermont that is self-reliant and based on reverence for the earth.  Our vision of Vermont agriculture is one that builds living soils that nurture animals and people with wholesome, natural products, supporting healthy thriving farms and communities.  These communities in turn work to encourage and support current and future farmers, continuing our Vermont heritage. www.ruralvermont.org

Full Sun Company of Middlebury, Vermont is a dynamic startupthat is creating a venture that is successful & fun, and contributes to a healthy food system in our region, helping family farms grow. The goal is to support local food systems by delivering affordable, high-energy foods and feed ingredients and sustainable ag solutions. Organic & non-gmo sunflower, canola, soybeans and other oil crops are to be processed in their Vermont mill into edible oil and high-protein meal. www.fullsuncompany.com

Vote Hemp is a national, single-issue, nonprofit organization dedicated to the acceptance of and free market for industrial hemp, low-THC oilseed and fiber varieties of Cannabis, and to changes in current law to allow U.S. farmers to grow the crop. Their ultimate goal is having hemp grown on a commercial scale in the U.S. once again and for the crop to be able to be processed here as well. www.votehemp.com

Rueben Stone is a fourth generation farmer in Lower Stafford Ontario, where he works the family farm and has founded Valley Bio Ltd.  In 2009, Stone Farms received the Ontario Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence and with Valley Bio, Reuben helps to preserve family farming in the area through the research, production and marketing of specialty grains and oil crops like hemp, buckwheat, oats and rye and their co-products. Reuben is a member of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture sitting on the Renfrew local board, and is a past director for the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance.