Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached during this project includes state and field staff in KSU Cooperative Extension. Stakeholders have also been reached via the dissemination of extension publications. Changes/Problems:Issues with the current pandemic has prevented some of the programming efforts. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Presenter: Dr. Young Topic: Hemp - A sustainable fiber with Kentucky roots Time: Jul 23, 2020 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) The webinar, Hemp: A Sustainable Fiber with Kentucky Roots. This webinar was a collaboration between myself, Shawn Lucas, Assistant Professor, and Soreyda Benedict-Begley, Local Designer. The topics included in the webinar included: Examination of the Historical Significance of Hemp An Overview of Hemp Cultivation Legal Issues Related to Hemp Products Examination the Various Uses for Industrial Hemp How Industrial Hemp is Used for the Apparel and Home Products Industry Challenges to the Growth of the Hemp Fiber Industry How Hemp is Used by Designers and Practitioners. This webinar was multidisciplinary with FCS and Agricultural faculty collaborating on the project. There were 56 participants from KSU who attended the webinar. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Collect quantitative data to complete the project. Develop programming for youth regarding Hemp fibers and fabrics. Develop media resources, and extension materials for Kentucky consumers and retailers.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Presenter: Dr. Young Topic: Hemp - A sustainable fiber with Kentucky roots Time: Jul 23, 2020 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) The webinar, Hemp: A Sustainable Fiber with Kentucky Roots. This webinar was a collaboration between myself, Shawn Lucas, Assistant Professor, and Soreyda Benedict-Begley, Local Designer. The topics included in the webinar included: Examination of the Historical Significance of Hemp An Overview of Hemp Cultivation Legal Issues Related to Hemp Products Examination the Various Uses for Industrial Hemp How Industrial Hemp is Used for the Apparel and Home Products Industry Challenges to the Growth of the Hemp Fiber Industry How Hemp is Used by Designers and Practitioners. This webinar was multidisciplinary with FCS and Agricultural faculty collaborating on the project. There were 56 participants from KSU who attended the webinar. Qualitative Data Analysis Area artisans, and small business owners were interviewed for this project (n=21). The purpose of the qualitative data collection was to gather information regarding their work, and the level of use and knowledge of hemp in terms of fiber and fabric. The method to collect the data was in-depth interviews. The participants included textile artists (3), fashion designers (8), store owners (4), and quilters (6). Results Familiarity with Hemp Products- All participants were familiar with Hemp for use in various forms for the consumers. The majority of the participants were familiar with the CBD products on the market. For the 4 store owners who participated in the project, there was a level of familiarity with both the CBD items and hemp fibers and fabrics. One of the participant's had a small display of CBD items for sale within her store. However, among all business owners there was a difficulty in obtaining items made from hemp textiles, which includes yarn, fibers and fabrics. The participants were very positive about how hemp and hemp blend fibers were growing in demand. However, the business owners also indicated that it was a difficult position, because though certain customers sought out hemp and hemp blended products, the cost associated with hemp at this time make it economically undesirable. For one of the participants, a gift shop owner, that features only items made in the state of Kentucky, there were only a few of her artisans that produced items made of hemp and or hemp blend materials. Lack of Access- The fashion designers who participated in the project were seeking access to hemp and hemp blended fabric in larger quantities. The price of the hemp fabrics were a challenge for the fashion designers. Due to the low amount of hemp fabrics in the U.S. marketplace, there are presently not many choices in terms of colors and fabric weaves. The lack of choice in types of fabric made using hemp extensively for their work difficult. Most of the hemp fabrics available at this time are earth tones and darker colors. Among the business owners who sold yarn, there was a problem with locating resources for hemp yarns. According to the yarn store owners, in their experience, the only resources for hemp and hemp blend materials are in Europe. This made the prices higher than for the other yarns sold in their stores. The yarn store owners also indicated that that besides the pricing issue, availability was a problem, with vendors often going out of business and the difficulty to find new vendors. Need For Consumer Education- One of the store owners shared that the only information that consumers get regarding CBD products is from the producers. . There are few if any unbiased consumer education available regarding CBD products. It is important to note that CBD products though popular are not highly researched, and are a challenge to address due to continuing regulation. Discussion and Implication -Results from this preliminary qualitative study provide insights into the use of Hemp among small businesses and artisans. In conclusion, among the participants there was a favorable attitude towards using hemp and hemp blend yarns, and fabrics for project. However, the lack of American resources for hemp and hemp based inputs was a limitation for all categories. The lack of reliable resources for hemp and hemp blended fibers, yarns, and fabrics are problematic as well as the price. As a niche fiber, hemp, hemp blended fiber, yarns and fabrics are gaining in popularity across demographic groups. There is a need to further educate consumers.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Hemp Fibers and Fabric. (December, 2020). Kentucky State University Extension publication.
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Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached by this project include textile artisans and small retailers in Kentucky. The target audience has been the focus of research interviews to develop a quantitative research instrument for larger distribution. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The preliminary interviews have allowed the research personnel to lean how they need to refine techniques and research instruments for the next phase of the project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Extension programming regarding hemp fiber was delivered to participants in various programs, including at the 2018 Sewing Expo, which had 113 participants. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Completion of data collection. Development of workshops to provide education to artisans and small retailers regarding hemp. Development of products made with hemp and hemp-blend textiles. Development of social media and web-based educational modules on hemp textiles. Development of 4-H hemp project activities.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The project has the following accomplishments: Qualitative research interviews have been conducted with textile artisans and small retailers to gather data for the development of a large-scale qualitative research instrument to be distributed in 2019. Preliminary data indicate that there is a lack of knowledge among both artisans and small retailers about hemp for textile purposes in Kentucky. In addition, there is a challenge since domestic hemp fiber production is miniscule. It is hoped that the larger data collection planned for 2019 can provide information that will allow producers to penetrate the fiber marketplace among Kentucky artisans and small retailers with hemp and hemp-based fiber products. Extension programming regarding hemp fiber was delivered to participants in various programs, including at the 2018 Sewing Expo, which had 113 participants.
Publications
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