It's been a busy start to the year and we're pleased to say we have several positive projects to report. Many existing license holders are preparing to grow hemp in the next few months. NSW will produce a record amount of hectares in 2024/25.
GROWING THE HEMP INDUSTRY IN NSW
Members' services and recruiting new members has been at the top of our activity list. Pushing content and messaging through LinkedIn and Facebook and accessing the collective audiences has been with a collective audience of followers of over 5,000 on the IHA NSW -Inc page. Earlier in the year we held several successful meetings in the Hunter Valley and discussions with broadacre farmers at Borenore in NSW.
With perhaps the largest increase in Hemp Lic numbers ever issued in NSW and a more than promising growing season - the coming year is shaping up to be a good one.
The AIHA has announced a dedicated carbon subcommittee with James Vosper as Chair.
As many will know James was the author of a paper in 2011 submitted to the Australian Govt under the Carbon Farming Initiative, his work on hemp carbon was mentioned in the first-ever 2022 United Nations Hemp Commodities Report. What does this mean? It means through Carbon Futures, Australia has the only hemp carbon methodology where hemp crops can be verified, scored for their carbon value- in a very similar fashion to Forestry.
PROJECT FUNDING APPLICATIONS
IHA NSW members have submitted projects for funding under the Federal Govt grant scheme. Projects include product development, processing, and growing hemp for building job creation in their respective locations. With their operations approximately 1200km apart, these facilities are positioned to economically service NSW, Southern Queensland, Canberra, and feed into the Victorian markets. Creating jobs and cropping development -in NSW, both projects qualify for $50 million project status. We have launched the Cert III in Hemp Processing .
NSW SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Through IHANSW Consultation with the Federal Department of Ag and Fish, The NSW Government has been working with us to identify and develop skills required to build the hemp industry in NSW Mid Nth Coast, The Hunter, and the Murray Darling Basin. With existing relationships in place - the NSW Govt has welcomed the opportunity to support IHANSW efforts to provide opportunities for the inclusion of the Indigenous groups in each region - which has been well-received. The three locations have been chosen as test projects, and will later be rolled out to other states.
A National Campaign - Showcasing State Hemp Organisations was launched in December to help farmers, and investors understand where to source expertise and who to talk to in the industry in Australia. The campaign in partnership with Carbon Futures Australia has opened doors and increased the level of inquiry. Every organisation in Australia was invited to participate in helping to grow the industry. We now have a membership that includes over 80 farmers in NSW and a 35-hectare project underway to prove the additionality of hemp carbon on the soil.
CERTIFICATE III IN HEMP PRODUCTION
We're very proud and excited to be launching Australia's First Formal Certificate III Horticulture Course in Hemp Production. The course will offer students in NSW Government subsidised tuition from among others - two renowned soil scientists in Australia as well as a leading group of experienced agronomists.
The Cert III will be the first of its kind in Australia. and offers unprecedented access to resources and information on growing hemp and biological farming methods. Over 18 months students will be led by renowned soil scientist and IHA NSW Committee Member Dr Mary Cole. This course will also be offered to 3 indigenous groups in NSW that we are working with. If you have contacts with other Indigenous groups - we would be are happy to contact them to be included in our Cert III program. Contact INFO@IHANSW-INC.COM
The program will include IHA NSW Membership.
We've been busy promoting the services of our members and encouraging inquiries to INFO@IHANSW-INC.COM for services, meetings, and introductions to farmers and managers.
Thanks for your support, we are welcoming members from all over Australia who would like to benefit from the discussions we are having with farmers and hemp organisations from all over the world. Join here https://www.ihansw-inc.com/members-join-form