Hemp farming in Sydney's backyard

[jabez]

Hemp farming in sydneys backyard

 

RICHARD FRIAR loves growing dope. His backyard on the northern beaches is full of the stuff - 500 plants, to be precise.

 

But Mr Friar is no dealer, and this is no under ground plantation. The 66-year-old and his wife, Wendy, are proud owners of australias first licensed industrial hemp crop to be grown in an urban area.

 

"I'd prefer you didn't publish exactly where we are," he says.

 

"Even though this is no good for smoking, you can imagine what would happen if people found out. "

 

The Friars are hemp evangelelists; firm believers in the world-changing potential of this most versatile of plants, which can be used for everything from food to fabrics and building materials.

 

With the permisssion from the Department of Primary Industries, they are in the first stages of a pilot project aimed at teaching farmers how to grow hemp and commercialise it's myriad byproducts.

 

The Friars' crop, a mix of Chinese cultivars known as Yellow River and Lulu, is a fine example: the stalks can be used in textile and construction industries- "they even use it, instead of steel, to reinforce concrete"- while the seeds can be eaten.

 

In December the couple applied to Food Standards for permission to sell the seed for human consumption with approval expected early next year.

 

"They are a real superfood," Wendy says. "it's 23 per cent protein, and has more omega 3 and omega 6 than virtually any other source, including fish."

"In the early 1800s, Australia was twice saved from famine by eating virtually nothing but hemp seed for protein and hemp leaves for roughage."

 

But the couple also plan to become brokers for hemp products, importing seeds and matching overseas and local producers with those undertaking retail or construction projects.

 

"We want to kickstart consumer demand," Wendy explains. "Its hard, though, because hemp for so long has been vilified as a dangerous drug."

 

A film maker, farmer, former horse trainer and grade rugby union player, Mr Friar has long been interested in premaculture and recycling; his company King Poo was one of the first to sell worm farms in the early 1900s. But it's hemp that has him raving.

 

"As a grandfather several times over, I am championing this now as the answer to a lot of our sustainability problems. We just have to lose the baggage we have about hemp, and approach it in a more mature way."

 

Author: Tim Elliot

Date: 2 Feb, 2010

Source: The Land

Copyright: Fairfax Media

[Martvic]

Great article, hope everything goes well for them.

[mistyville]

For those of us who have big back yards, why don't we all apply to the Dept. of Primary Industries to grow hemp, for the same reason these people are growing it. It's a way of removing the stigma of the name 'hemp' and 'cannabis'.

[iTiC]

For those of us who have big back yards, why don't we all apply to the Dept. of Primary Industries to grow hemp, for the same reason these people are growing it. It's a way of removing the stigma of the name 'hemp' and 'cannabis'.

Plus you could sell the 'carbon bank' to Japan at top dollar, its a win win situation

atm

I hope this doesnt get stuffed up somehow.

[Crunchy]

his company is named 'King Poo'?

good on him, this is a good sign for australia

[mistyville]

Well come on then. Let some of us apply for a hemp licence through Dept. Primary Industries. You can probably look up the form on your computer. I had one here, but I've mislaid it.

[s4l]

Well come on then. Let some of us apply for a hemp licence through Dept. Primary Industries. You can probably look up the form on your computer. I had one here, but I've mislaid it.

 

 

Would it require regular searches of your property to see that your only growing hemp, not cannabis. Or drug testing? similar to growing tomatos hydroponically on a commercial scale..

[MongyMan]

It does yes at your expense.

 

Peace MongyMan

[tokingtonto]

thats great news, finally we are chipping away at the wall one brick at a time.

[themanwhoinventedmeh]

I've been studying industrial design for the past two years, part of the course is studying the potential and versatility of various materials. Guess what pretty much tops the list and lands a tick in every catergory... CANNABIS! or hemp to be precise. I really think growing hemp is a great idea, especially in back yards. If everyone started to normalise the view on cannabis soon enough people would begin to not hold the views on marijuana that they do today. Once I finish my course, or even now I am trying to work out the best way to advocate the stuff. Planning on doing my research on the plant. Anyone had any experience with growing industrial hemp here?