Source: OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to
SUSTAINABLY INCORPORATING HEMP BIOBASED ECONOMY INTO WESTERN U.S. REGIONAL RURAL AND TRIBAL LANDS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
NEW
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1027531
Grant No.
2021-68012-35957
Project No.
ORE01014
Proposal No.
2021-05753
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
A9201
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2021
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2026
Grant Year
2021
Project Director
Steiner, J.
Recipient Organization
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
CORVALLIS,OR 97331
Performing Department
Global Hemp Innovation Center
Non Technical Summary
Commodity crops in the USA are industrial-scale systems finely tuned from decades to centuries of market and government influences that work to minimize risk and improve profit margins from producers, suppliers, and financial institutions. As envisioned by Congress in its 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills, we ascribe to the potential for hemp. Unlike any other commodity, hemp can serve as the foundational material to the manufacture of multitude of high-performance biobased products to meet the demands of a 21st Century economy. Using an interdisciplinary systems approach, this project will work to identify and link elements of a globally competitive hemp-based supply chain from border-to-border across the Pacific states, equally integrating American Indian tribes and other rural communities. We focus on five key objectives: (i) improve hemp genetics for enhanced agricultural production, handling, processing, and materials utilization; (ii) identify key production ecoregions for these materials and estimate how they can complement existing production systems and their markets; (iii) determine those effects on the capacity to sustainably supply materials for manufacturing; (iv) parameterize existing and needed transportation and infrastructure to determine if, where, and how much hemp materials can be produced and where processing facilities could be located to support the regional manufacture of biobased products; and (v) implement workforce development education to support this new hemp-based sector. We will provide farmers, Tribes and rural economic developers, financiers, policy makers, agency service providers, and regulators the science-based information they need to make decisions when evaluating the technical, economic, environmental, and social sustainability of incorporating a hemp-based economy into the region.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2051730106020%
2021730108110%
2041730108110%
4021730202010%
5111730202010%
6011730301010%
6041730301010%
9031730302020%
Goals / Objectives
Goal. We will determine the feasibility of establishing sustainable supply chains for biobased manufacturing to help hemp reach its potential in the rural western U.S. economic landscape. The outcome from this project will be to provide farmers, financial decision-makers, rural and tribe business developers, policy makers, federal and state service agency providers, and regulators the science-based information they need to make decisions when evaluating the technical, economic, environmental, and social dynamics of incorporating hemp-based industries into the four-state regional economy across Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and California.Objective 1. Regional economic development extension. Engage farmers and American Indian producers, their rural communities and reservations, and associated agricultural businesses to facilitate knowledge and promote effective partnerships for creating new economic development opportunities centered on building a sustainable hemp-based industry.1a) Conduct farmer, allied service provider, and community forums to identify opportunities and barrier to establish hemp-based products manufacturing in the region.1b) Examine market factors influencing product demand, supply, and pricing to determine hemp's competitiveness compared to products produced with fossil fuel- and water-intensive sourced materials.1c) Assess the present base-line financial industry landscape across supply chains and use to determine the future viability of hemp as a substitute replacing incumbent products and provide decision makers business development recommendations.Objective 2. Sustainable Intensification. Identify strategies to sustainably incorporate hemp production into existing agricultural land uses in ways that do not disrupt existing markets and increase the economic opportunities for farmers, their communities, and the region.2(a) Provide analyses for potential farmer adoption of hemp into existing production systems and its impacts on select economic, social, and environmental indicators of sustainability.2(b) Determine conditions where investment costs for incorporating hemp into farm plans are profitable.2(c) Determine the broad social impacts hemp could play transforming regional economic efficiency, employment, and economic welfare and how policies could promote supply chain development.Objective 3. Advance Hemp Genetic Resources. Develop diverse hemp germplasm with value-added traits for grain, fiber, and essential oil hemp market classes and determine potential for supporting expanded production and utilization in the region.3a) Enhance hemp germplasm by targeting specific traits for market classes to fit into regional agricultural production systems. 3b) Improve the geographic adaptation of different hemp market classes for increased production efficiency over a range of production environments.3c) Determine how varying production environments affect the quality of produced materials from hemp grain, fiber, and essential oil market class germplasm.3d) Deposit unique germplasm into the public USDA NPGS germplasm collection that is fully characterized for critical agronomic, adaptation, and value-added traits.Objective 4. Biobased Materials and Product Development. Examine the existing and determine the needed supply chain components to develop a whole-system, hemp-based infrastructure for expanded biobased products manufacturing in the region.4a) Develop a model for existing regional logistic, transportation, and supply chain infrastructure and determine needed improvements for efficient incorporation of hemp-based manufacturing into regional economies. 4b) Develop life-cycle assessments (LCAs) informed by inputs from multiple landscape scales, supply chains, transportation networks, source material characteristics, and processing routes to determine the impacts of hemp-based products manufacturing on greenhouse gas emissions, energy demand, and water use.4c) Determine the effects of production environment on yield and quality of hemp grain, fiber, and essential oil materials and manufactured products.Objective 5. Workforce development education. Create a multi-cultural workforce that is culturally sensitive to effectively communicate and work in all hemp supply chain components with diverse participants found across the region.5a) Train all project investigators and staff on culturally-competent communication and consultation skills with a focus on culturally responsive engagement with tribal communities in the region.5b) Train all extension personnel across the region who are engaged in farmer-to-farmer agriculture hubs.5c) Provide technical support to increase sustainable production in the region.5d) Provide meaningful internship experience opportunities to high school and undergraduate participants across the region and over entire hemp supply chain components.
Project Methods
Agricultural productivity in the western states (and Cannabis specifically) is among the most productive in the country. We have targeted the primarily rural transportation corridor that traverses Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and California east of the Cascade-Sierra Nevada Mountains from Canada to Mexico as our region of interest. The region has access to north-south ground and rail transportation as well as established east-west access by water, rail, or ground to major industrial centers and ports in Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, San Francisco Bay, and Southern California. The region is characterized by large irrigated and non-irrigated production areas of commodities such as small grains, alfalfa hay, and potatoes that could accommodate another value-added crop such as hemp as a rotation option. With a relatively arid climate, the region is likely better suited for producing grain and fiber hemp market classes than in the marine climate zones west of the Cascade Mountains in Washington and Oregon. In addition, in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, feminized essential oil hemp and marijuana varieties are exclusively grown and so pollen intrusion from diecious hemp plants as with fiber and grain types is an inconvenience to usable flower markets and interferes with extraction and processing of cannabinoids from biomass. Also, in western Washington and Oregon and Central and desert California where a diversity of high-value specialty vegetable, fruit, and nut crops are grown, hemp fiber and grain production would have difficulty competing. To account for these ecogeographic, commerce, and social variables, we have divided the region into four sub-regions characterized by Land Resource Regions and latitude ranging from 38° to 48° N for engaging and recruiting partners from the large numbers and diverse kinds of people and communities that represent this region.American Indians, even more than many other socially disadvantaged communities, continue to face extreme disparities in access to resources and education due to historical systemic discrimination and a cycle of debt. This has been especially noted in agriculture and affirmed by legal judgments to right past inequities against Black and Native American farmers. Even recently, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) farmers have continued to be discriminated against as shown by disproportionally receiving USDA benefits for COVID relief and recognition of that by USDA through even more recent initiatives. But regardless of these deeply seeded obstacles, agriculture has become a significant economic contributor to more than 200 tribal communities. There was an 88% increase in the number of Native farmers between 2002 and 2007 and production exceeded $1.4 billion in 2007. More equitable approaches by census agencies towards Indian Country will likely show even more economic impact from agriculture. Still, against this background, many tribes are seeking approval to pursue business ventures in hemp, despite the disadvantage Indian farmers and their nations have experienced compared to other farmers.Recognition of these disparities and commitment to work towards greater equity in opportunity for tribal nations in this region informs our project's structure and programs. Because Native American Indian Tribes are significantly represented in the four-state region, project PIs intentionally engaged with tribal leaders to create partnerships with several nations to better inform the cultural relevance and responsiveness of this project. Tribal councils for each of these nations have agreed to participate as partners in this project. There is enthusiasic support for this project among the four tribes who have committed as indicated by their councils giving permission to participate. It is important to include Tribes as a significant part of this work, acknowledging the desire of Native Americans to embrace the introduction of hemp farming. Additionally, tribes have expressed an interest in investment to build-out hemp supply chains and manufacturing infrastructure on their reservations as a means to economic development.Because the project team seeks to be sensitive to historical legacies, this project will include the following mechanisms to ensure responsible engagement and culturally relevant interactions between tribal and non-tribal researchers, educators, and other project personnel: (i) a respected Native-led tribal business development firm has been an active partner and advisor from the earliest stages and design of this project; (ii) an equal number of tribal reservation and non-tribal hubs are a part of our project design; (iii) all grant-affiliated personnel will complete online and synchronous training with content on culturally responsive engagement with tribal partners and relevant issues to tribal commerce and industry; (iv) tribal representatives will be annually engaged by the independent evaluator; (v) the OSU Director of Diversity Relations is a member of the project advisory council; and (vi) the project includes internships and educational opportunities for current Native American high school and undergraduate students (Obj 5(d)).We have assembled an interdisciplinary team of extension specialists, researchers, and educators to determine the feasibility of establishing hemp grain, essential oil, or fiber market class supply chains within the region. The project draws from the capacities of four land grant institutions, the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP), and a private firm that specializes in Indian Country business development. The contributing disciplines include: agricultural engineering, agronomy/soil science, analytical chemistry, animal nutrition, applied economics, biochemistry, construction materials manufacturing, cultural interpretation and awareness training, customer survey development, education curriculum development, extension programming, business and finance, life cycle analysis, marketing, oil seed chemistry, plant breeding, and supply chain management. We also have enlisted 30 industry sector advisors to assist with technical details on the different aspects of producing materials and handling, processing, and manufacturing a range of biobased products.A systems approach will address the multiple supply chain components including existing and needed supporting transportation and infrastructure resources (Obj 4(a)) to determine if, where, and how much hemp materials can be produced and where processing facilities could be located to support the regional manufacture of biobased products (Obj 4(b)). The wide range of regional ecogeography effects on agriculture and that effect on the capacity to sustainably supply materials for manufacturing is addressed by Obj 2(a, b) and Obj 3(a, b, c). We not only consider linkages that need to be established between agricultural production, handling, processing, and utilization of materials (Obj 1(b)), but also address the chicken-or-egg dilemma of how the needed financing can be raised to support building out a hemp-based economy in the region (Obj 1 (c)). We assume good stewardship can be designed into an emergent hemp-based ecosystem by estimating ahead of time the potential impacts different systems options have on natural resources quality, wealth, and jobs creation at the farm, rural community, and regional scales (Obj 2(a, c), Obj 4(b)), and will consider approaches to enhance equity for all supply chain participants (Obj 4(a)). A resulting goal of this project is to provide farmers, financial decision-makers, policy makers, federal service agency providers, and regulators the science-based information they need to make decisions when evaluating the technical, economic, environmental, and social sustainability of incorporating a hemp-based economy into the region (Obj 1(a)).

Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:Obj 1: The target audience for this phase of the project are farmers, businesses, entrepreneurs, scientists, and regulators interested in business and production opportunities related to hemp. Obj 1a: Producers, partners, potential partners, and researchers. Obj 1b: Researchers, hemp industry stakeholders (hemp growers and other supply chain participants including technology providers), and policy decision-makers. Obj 1c: Hemp Industry Stakeholders and Investment Professionals interested or participating in space or already involved in the space; Related organizations. Obj 2: Researchers, hemp industry stakeholders (hemp growers and other supply chain participants including technology providers), and policy decision-makers. Obj 3: - Researchers working on hemp breeding and genetics. Obj 4a: Faculty members, students, and professionals from the business sector interested in constructing transportation networks utilizing ArcGIS and FTOT. Obj 4b: Consumers and manufacturers interested in understanding industrial hemp products' environmental impacts. Obj 4c:Hemp breeders and fiber processors (focused on hemp fiber quality/quantity, retting, decortication, and further fiber and materials processing); the textile industry - including mills with interest in incorporating hemp fiber in their product lines; hemp breeders, growers, processors, and downstream industry members interested in results related to seed properties and quality; hemp breeders, growers, processors, and downstream industry members interested in results related to various extractable compounds from flowers, leaves, stems and roots. Obj 5: Researchers, grant and extension personnel, high school and undergraduate students interested in hemp, tribal and other rural community hub farmers, businesses, entrepreneurs, scientists, and regulators who are interested in business and production opportunities related to hemp. Changes/Problems:Obj 1: The hemp industry in the US is in flux, and there is constant change. Keeping the database up to date with companies and entities coming in and out of existence makes creating a stable census of industrial hemp stakeholders challenging. The plan is to team up with other universities and work directly with industry associations to create a complete map of businesses and entities in the US. Obj 2: From the advice of OSU legal counsel recreational marijuana will not be included in AgBiz Logic as a crop type, which was originally planned to be included with hemp. NASS requirements for the use of confidential ag census data are likely to constrain the use of data for project research. Alternatives to the use of confidential data are being researched. Obj 3: The greatestchallenge has been having adequate greenhouse space for research. New greenhouses will come online in November 2023 which should alleviate the space issue to some extent. Greenhouse space for seed increases has been rented from a commercial operation in the area. Obj 4c: In Washington, access to irrigation water was inconsistent in 2023. This makes it difficult to maintain consistent irrigation data collection in this area. Further, hemp contracts for bales of hemp stalks for animal bedding and building materials remain too low for most farmers to make a profit. This has led to a reduction in acres of hemp planted. Also, planting hemp following hops pesticide trials in one Eastern Washington field has shown that a vast majority of hemp accessions will not survive even after two plantings. Obj 5b: The continually shifting and diminishing community of hemp producers in western states has resulted in an inability to maintain the proposed production farmer-to-farmer hubs and so we have focused efforts on engaging with key stakeholders, individual hemp producers, non-hemp farming communities and other industry members across a broader region including Idaho and Montana to complete project outreach and Extension objectives. Obj 5d: We had fewer high school interns than originally planned, due to changes in the upward-bound program in the Colville area because of COVID-19. Those changes significantly reduced participation in the program, from 2 - 3 dozen participants each year, to just a half dozen in each of the past 2 years. We hope that enrollment in the program will increase next year. Due to lower enrollment, we are extending the internships to on-campus participants for a longer time during the year. We will advertise internship opportunities earlier in 2024. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Obj 1: Continuing placement of students at OSU Impact Studios; training research students Obj 2: The engineering capstone course was a requirement for students to graduate. Obj 3: One undergraduate student was trained in hemp molecular marker research, hemp pollen research, and microscopy to identify hemp pollen developmental stages for initiating dihaploid research. Obj 4a: Offered the "Workshop on the Freight and Fuel Transportation Optimization Tool (FTOT)" as an opportunity for training and professional advancement. Implemented a network transportation teaching module within SCLM 453/553 Supply Chain Analytics, with ongoing enhancements planned. Obj 4b: Graduate assistant continues to improve skills with SimaPro and other life cycle analysis tools. The graduate assistant was trained in the use of the Freight and Fuel Transportation Optimization Tool (FTOT) and mentoring undergraduate researchers. An undergraduate research assistant was trained in literature review methods. Obj 4c: The preliminary testing of hemp materials grown in 2022 provided new testing and training opportunities and skills for faculty, technicians, and students working in the various labs addressing Obj 4c. Obj 5: Both grant-affiliated personnel and the public have been provided cultural competency training in respectful tribal business partnerships through online, self-paced training and online webinar offerings. In addition, five student interns received training as part of their participation in internship programs related to this grant. A day-long train-the-trainer was attended by 45 project personnel, partners, and associated producers, and online footage of the event has been viewed 50 times. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Obj 1: Field days in Oregon, California, Nevada, HRIC website, and social media. Western Hemp Train-the-trainer Obj 2: Workshop held for project participants to learn about future pathway design. Made public extension presentations to scientists and industry stakeholders. Participation in AgMIP global workshop. Obj 3: Information was disseminated to hemp researchers on the OSU campus via research poster symposiums. Obj 4a: Engaged project members in discussions regarding preliminary analysis findings related to the Pacific Northwest region. The initial version of the teaching module on network transportation utilizing ArcGIS was introduced in SCLM 453/553 Supply Chain Analytics; fine-tuning for Winter 2024 implementation is in progress. Obj 4b: Life cycle assessment carried out for hemp-based mycelium packaging box inserts compared to expanded polystyrene packaging box inserts. Presented at the 7th International Forum on Sustainable Manufacturing (2022), 2023 CIRP LCE Conference, and 2023 OSU MIME Grad Student Recruiting Event. Obj 4c: Individual meetings have been held with hemp processors to discuss the needs of the industries, opportunities to improve the products, and verification of parameters used to determine the quality of hemp bast and hurd fiber, seed protein and oils, and extractable compounds. For fiber hemp, several standards committee meetings and discussions with textile industry stakeholders have been held. Two joint OSU and WSU field days were held in Oregon and Washington where results to date were presented with project fliers distributed to attendees. Multiple social media posts focused on field and project highlights were made on LinkedIn and various platforms acknowledging NIFA, the SAS grant, and participants. Results to date were discussed at OSU and WSU booths with informational fliers with a project overview distributed to researchers, students, and stakeholders at the 2023 Cannabis Research Conference in Denver, CO. Obj 5: Field days in Oregon, California, Nevada, HRIC website, and social media. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Obj 1a: Further needs assessment with industry partners to adapt plans to changing business and regulatory environment. Obj 1b: Publishing findings and market analysis of the companies in the hemp industrial database. Continue updating/monitoring companies through a turbulent period of market growth and development. (Chen) Collaborate with outside institutions to augment the current database with financial-related data and information (i.e., Tyler Mark at the University of Kentucky) Start the selection process of stakeholders for interviews and conduct interviews to begin constructing the stakeholder map of key markets. (Barnhart/Huff) Examine international models of hemp industrial networks (i.e., China, France) to identify common patterns and practices, and seek collaboration opportunities to help accelerate US development. Obj 1c: Build out a database on international hemp markets including Chinese public corporations. Develop a primer on the state of the US industrial hemp industry. Useas a comparison against other country primers. Recategorization of sectors and verticals to be more precise for data collection Continued data collection. Continued development of financial models Consult for investing in potential hemp businesses. Obj 2a: Submit a proposal for access to confidential NASS data (ag census) Begin analysis of ag census data for TOA-MD modeling Finalize development pathways with input from stakeholders, and prepare a report. Revise and submit a paper on hemp profitability in Oregon. Obj 2b: Implement data import feature and provide training to growers to use AgBiz Logic and its supporting modules. Obj 2c: This period will be spent refining models, developing scenarios, and attaining relevant data. Obj 3: Complete development of pollen storage system for making hemp synthetic populations for fiber and grain hemp. Make the initial genetic combination in the late spring/summer of 2024 for the hemp synthetic populations. Initiate evaluation of protocols for developing dihaploid hemp lines from the hemp synthetic populations. Obj 4a: With the first workshop's success, the College of Business intends to repeat the "Workshop on the Freight and Fuel Transportation Optimization Tool (FTOT)" in the upcoming academic year. Continue refining the network transportation teaching module in SCLM 453/553 Supply Chain Analytics. Acquire and organize raster agriculture data in California and Nevada for further development of hemp fiber mock scenarios. Ensure comprehension of regulations prior to constructing supply chain transportation networks and conducting scenario tests. Recruit undergraduate and graduate students to be involved in the project. Continue to provide support for OSU team members Ping-Hung Hsieh and Zhaohui Wu in utilizing FTOT at the US DOT Volpe Center. Obj 4b: Publish ongoing LCA studies in the research literature and present them at research conferences. Hold discussions and present relevant results to industry partners. Publish review papers on hemp products and processes, LCA of hemp and hemp products, and bio-based product manufacturing. Conduct life cycle assessment studies for selected hemp-based products in collaboration with Obj 4 researchers and industry partners, including the collection of industry-relevant data by undergraduate and graduate students. Develop new process models that will be useful to LCA researchers and practitioners for evaluating the environmental impacts of bio-based technologies. Obj 4c: Hemp plant samples will be collected from the field trial locations at the appropriate times to do the post-harvest testing as described in the project plan under Obj 4c. This will include shipping to the various lab locations. The post-harvest testing will provide the first full year of performance parameters, describing the quantity/quality of various materials that can be produced from hemp, with an eye toward identifying how the amount and quality of products can be affected by various growing conditions (locations). Undergraduate students will help in the field and lab phases for all three product types. Interns for the projects will be targeted in January 2024. Virtual Technical Advisor meetings will continue with an additional in-person meeting in Spring 2024. Field trials will be replicated based on 2023 plantings and treatments at various locations in the project region. Additional Spoke partner fields will be targeted including tribal farms. Tribal hemp grows will have building material and dual crop end-use focuses. For hemp fiber, the stem analysis database should be completed for 2,000+ samples, and the overall fiber characterization database should be developed and populated. Obj 5a: Two additional online trainings are under development and will be launched in late 2023: "Tribal Sovereignty: A Context for Respectful Engagement" as well as "Tribal Partners: Cultural, Historical and Environmental Context." These address issues of tribal sovereignty as well as provide tribal-specific background information on the 6+ tribal partners who are affiliated with grant activities. These topics were developed after gathering input from participants who completed the first training that launched this past year. Obj 5b and c: Continued engagement to evaluate and address production and supply chain challenges with partners; continued outreach through field days and educational events and further expanding of Hemp Research and Information Center website. Obj 5d: We will follow a more rigorous and earlier recruitment plan for next year, with the goal of finding more interns for the summer of 2024. In addition, we hope to partner with the New Beginnings for Tribal Students program at OSU to help promote the internships to Native American students at OSU.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Obj 1a: Listening session and needs assessment conversations were held with six Native American tribes. A Low Desert/Imperial Valley Hemp Listening Session was held with more than 30 attendees. Obj 1b: CMCI cultivated a relationship with leaders in hempcrete construction through a series of interviews, speaking engagements, class projects, research projects, and on-site fire tests on the OSU campus. Tiger Team interviews were conducted to understand various hemp businesses: House of Hemp, Hempitecture, and IND Hemp and secondary research conducted to lay the foundation for more extensive research. Participated in key events to help provide the foundation for stakeholder analyses: Cannabis Research Conference, National Hemp Day Celebration, Montana Industrial Hemp Field Day, and Extension's Train-the-Trainer event. Obj 1c: Relationship building and engagement with industry stakeholders to collect data for research. Began advising stakeholders on business models and provided financial advice. Developed network with potential financial groups to provide financing. Obj 2a: Implemented an iterative process to re-structure the SASdevpathway spreadsheet tool that identifies key drivers of change to characterize current and future conditions of hemp production in five production regions. Updated workplan to continue developing future economic development pathways. Prepared and submitted proposal to access the USDA NASS agricultural census data. Downloaded publicly available agricultural census data and designed a workplan for a preliminary analysis to estimate crop yields, revenues, and cost of production for the regions. Participated in the Agricultural Modeling Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP) Global Workshop. Discussed collaboration opportunities with University of Florida DSSAT modeling group. Obj 2b: Provided leadership to six students in OSU College of Engineering capstone course who built a process for improved UI and UX experiences with data output in existing modules. Obj 2c: Progress made towards a model that will determine broad social impacts hemp could have on regional economic output, employment, and economic welfare, as well as what policies could promote supply chain development. Obj 3: New hemp germplasm evaluated in the field for first year with the second-year evaluations in progress. Field data provided to USDA NPGS hemp germplasm repository. Germplasm was distributed to collaborators from the hemp germplasm collection for field testing in three states. Protocol was identified for pollen germination and tested on multiple hemp germplasm lines. Initiated research to develop protocol for long-term pollen storage to facilitate creation of hemp synthetic populations of different market classes. Seed production was done on 50 new hemp lines in the greenhouse. Obj 4a: Conducted a Workshop on the Freight and Fuel Transportation Optimization Tool (FTOT) with DOT Volpe at OSU for OSU faculty, students, and business professionals, drawing almost 40 participants for each of the two sessions. Engaged with hemp growers and business proprietors, and actively took part in the Oregon Statewide Hemp Industry Research Needs Workshop to identify industry research and Extension priorities. Gathered and systematized raster data for potato, winter wheat, corn, and alfalfa acreage in the Pacific Northwest states. Conducted preliminary analyses to identify potential sites for hemp fiber processing facilities. Shared potato and alfalfa data with the US DOT Volpe Center to create mock FTOT scenarios, incorporating acreage information, hemp fiber processing, facility specifics, and major port destinations. Collaborated with project team members to discuss data prerequisites and intricate supply chains for scenario development. Transformed gridded agricultural data into a county-level FTOT input layer at Volpe, enhancing test scenario development. Generated a preliminary FTOT candidate scenario for hemp stalk processing into textile products. Obj 4b: Life cycle assessment carried out for hemp-based mycelium packaging box inserts and compared to expanded polystyrene packaging box inserts. This appeared in a conference article and poster presentations. Gathered hemp products and hemp product manufacturing life cycle assessment data from systematic literature reviews. Obj 4c: Team met to discuss their progress in developing research procedures needed to conduct the post-harvest testing described under Obj 4.c.1-4. Summarized procedures for chemical, fiber, and grain plant part analyses outlining protocols for the 2023 field plantings and to produce enough materials for the post-harvest processing and testing labs. First-year field trials were conducted at four locations primarily to generate seed (grain) for quality/quantity evaluation, with auxiliary testing of residual fiber quality and potential extractables. Two fiber varieties were planted at three locations to generate stem sections for bast and hurd fiber quality/quality testing, as well as to generate sufficient fiber for product testing (hempcrete). Two chemical type varieties were planted at three locations. Quantity and quality of extractable compounds (cannabinoids, terpenes, etc.) will be evaluated, along with auxiliary testing of residual fiber quality/quantity. One industry and one Tribal partner Extension hubs grew fiber and grain varieties for end-use products analyses. Specific certified seed was used for the first time in an essential oil trial in Washington to collect data on stabilization and multi-flower production. Hemp seed oil quality, grain protein content, and stem fiber analyses are in progress. Single stalk decortication and techniques to characterize hemp fiber are in progress. Root samples are being analyzed for secondary compounds. Obj 5a: Nearly 200 individuals accessed the online training for respectful relations with Native American partners, including 23 grant-affiliated personnel with 100% of participants agreeing they gained new knowledge because of the training. Obj 5b: Day-long train-the-trainer was conducted for project personnel with presentations from state and federal regulators, university researchers, hemp producers, and a panel of tribal members. More than 45 project personnel, partners, and associated producers attended the live Zoom event. Recordings of sessions have been posted to the OSU Extension website and have been viewed more than 50 times. Obj 5c: Grain and fiber types were trialed in Reno, NV; Sunnyside, WA; and Pendleton, OR. Agronomic trials evaluating fiber varieties, planting dates, irrigation rates, and nitrogen response was conducted in the San Joaquin Valley. Commercial-scale comparison of fiber varieties planted at high-population density with a production partner in Riverdale, CA. Agronomic trials determined effect of aphid predators and soil amendments in Southern Oregon Obj 5d: Five students participated in internships at UC Davis and WSU. Interns assisted with greenhouse and field duties, conducting weekly evaluations in field studies, harvesting samples, collecting data, and processing samples from all experiments.

Publications

  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Obj 5c: Development of the beta version of the Hemp Research and Information Center (HRIC) website (https://hemp.ucdavis.edu) to warehouse and disseminate hemp resources and information.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Cho, S. and J.M. Antle. 2023. Price-Endogenous Technology, Producer Welfare and ex ante Impact Assessment: The Case of Industrial Hemp. American Journal of Agricultural Economics. May 18, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajae.12411.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Enarevba, D. and Haapala, K.; (2022) A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Polymer and Biobased Packaging Materials. 7th International Forum on Sustainable Manufacturing, University of Kentucky, October 27-28, 2022, (Poster Presentation by D. Enarevba).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Enarevba, D. and Haapala, K.; (2023) A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Polymer and Biobased Packaging Materials. 2023 MIME Grad Student Recruiting Event (GSRE), School of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Oregon State University, March 3, 2023, (Poster Presentation by D. Enarevba).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Murphy, S. and R. Zemetra. 2023. Developing a Hemp Dihaploid Protocol. Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence Spring Poster Symposium, Oregon State University. May, 2023.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Enarevba, D. and Haapala, K.; (2023) A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Expanded Polystyrene and Mycelium Packaging Box Inserts. 30th CIRP Life Cycle Engineering Conference, Procedia CIRP, Volume 116, Pages 654  659, doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2023.02.110


Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:Obj. 1 Hemp producers, rural and tribal hub farmers, and industry stakeholders, businesses, and investment professionals already participating or interested in the space. Obj. 2 Researchers, hemp industry stakeholders (hemp growers and other producers), policy decision makers. Obj. 3 Scientists, and public and private hemp breeders Obj. 4(a) Mainly other researchers in Objective 4. Also, manufacturers with interests in industrial hemp. Obj. 4 (b) Mainly other researchers in Objective 4. Also, manufacturers with interests in industrial hemp. Obj. 4(c) Hemp processors focused on retting, decortication, and further fiber processing. Obj. 4(c) Textile mills with an interest in incorporating hemp fiber in their product lines. Obj. 4(c) Hemp growers, processors, and downstream industry members interested in results related to seed properties and quality. Obj. 4(c) For this period the focus was on organizing group 4c co-PIs to make sure cropping activities in 2022 met the objectives of: Obj. 4(c) Testing systems and procedures for field research aspects, and Obj. 4(c) Creating enough hemp material to support the seed composition, biomass/cannabinoid evaluation, and fiber/textile testing including hempcrete testing. Obj. 5 Researchers, grant and extension personnel, rural and tribal hub farmers, hemp producers in Western states, high school and university students, hemp industry stakeholders (hemp growers and other producers), policy decision makers. Changes/Problems:Obj. 1(a) The hemp industry is highly dynamic and has contracted significantly. One rural hub partner has paused commercial hemp production for 2022. Conversations are ongoing to support hub partners in market identification and adjustments to the hub partner roster may be required. Obj. 1(a) Significant time was required by University of Nevada, Reno to accept Oregon State University IRB protocols. Obj. 2 From advice of OSU legal counsel, recreational marijuana will not be included with hemp in AgBiz Logic as a crop type as originally planned. Obj. 3 Greenhouse space has been limited due to delays in construction of new greenhouses (GH). The ability to screen and breed hemp due to the need to keep male and female hemp plants separate has been impactd. The new greenhouses should be available prior to the next reporting period. Other funds may be used to rent GH space from a commercial operation. Alternative facilities may be used during the construction period of the new greenhouses. Obj. 4(a) None Obj. 4(b) (Haapala) Delay in hiring of graduate assistant shifted initial work, but the GA is learning quickly and beginning to generate research results in the form of an initial publishable LCA study. Obj. 4(c) (Gang) We had significant problems getting our field manager hired this year, due to processing and communication problems with WSU's HRS. Those were finally resolved and this year's field season is moving forward successfully. Those delays led to delays in being able to spend on the project. Obj. 5(d) As COVID had shut down existing student internship programs at several campuses so the 2021-2022 academic year was spent re-starting programs and navigating vaccination requirements. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Obj. 1(b) Hemp for industrial use was introduced to MBA and undergraduate students as marketing capstone projects (MRKT 499) and strategic marketing projects (BA 590) throughout the 2021-2022 academic year. The project outputs help provide insight on general awareness of industrial hemp use and build interest in this area for future entrepreneurs. Obj. 1(c) Placed one student in OSU Impact Studios and recruited one undergraduate student to help perform research on intellectual property landscape. Obj. 2 The engineering capstone course was a requirement for students to graduate. Obj. 3 Undergraduate student workers were trained in using molecular markers and how to produce feminized seed in the greenhouse. Obj. 4(a) Developing a training module for students to learn FTOT. Obj. 4(a) Incorporating ArcGIS Pro software in the undergraduate and graduate supply chain analytics classes. Obj. 4(b) Graduate assistant (GA) was hired in March 2022 and taught industrial sustainability analysis. The GA can carry out life cycle analysis using SimaPro and other LCA tools. Obj. 4(c) None to date. It is expected that preliminary testing of hemp materials grown in 2022 will provide new testing and training opportunities and skills for faculty, technicians, and students working in the various labs addressing Objective 4c. Obj. 4(c) A new manager was hired, who will lead multi-year field research efforts. Obj. 4(c) Technical support staff have been learning techniques to characterize hemp fiber. Obj. 5 The internship program provided an educational opportunity for one intern at Washington State University who worked on hemp chemical analysis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Obj. 1(c) Sharing with internal partners and researchers. Obj. 2 On-line workshop held for project participants to learn about future pathway design. Obj. 2 Made public extension presentation to scientists and industry stakeholders. Obj. 3 Information on development of the germplasm program at OSU has been provided to producers and researchers at meetings and through tours of facilities and through social media. Obj. 4(a) The preliminary analysis has been discussed with the project members. Obj. 4(b) No dissemination to date. Obj. 4(c) None to date. Obj. 4(c) Individual meetings have been held with hemp processors and textile mills to discuss the needs of the industry and opportunities to improve the products. Obj. 4(c) Participation in several industry committees dedicated to developing standard methods to characterize hemp fiber and hurd. Obj. 5 An assessment and survey at the conclusion of the online training module will be used to inform instructional designers and educational consultants as they create additional training opportunities for researchers and grant personnel. Obj. 5(b) Results have not been disseminated in the first year as we are not done with the growing season. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Obj. 1(a)/1(b) The first version of the Hemp Product and Business Database will be available to fellow researchers in Fall 2022. The team will focus on accelerating the identification and coding of companies and provide quarterly updates of the database for 2022-2023. Obj. 1(a)/1(b) The needs assessment team will select and recruit representative companies in the value chain from the HPBD in Spring 2023 and conduct interviews in Summer 2023. Obj. 1(a) Research protocols will begin to be implemented. Survey instruments will be implemented. Obj. 1(c) Continue training undergraduate student to help develop financial models and industry/sectory research. Financial models will be refined and data collection will begin. Trajectories of similar industries will be examined (e.g., Organic Cotton). Tax benefits and carbon credits will be evaluated and included in financial models. Obj. 2(a) Submit proposal for access to confidential NASS data (USDA Ag Census). Obj. 2(a) Employ and train grad student to collect data Obj. 2(a) Begin analysis of ag census data for TOA-MD modeling Obj. 2(a) Finalize development pathways with input from stakeholders Obj. 2(b) Implement data import feature and provide training to growers to use AgBiz Logic and its supporting modules. Obj. 2(c) Refine models, develop scenarios, and attain relevant data. Obj. 3 Finalize protocol for long term storage of pollen and test system to separate male and female hemp plants by both location and time. Obj. 3 Increase germplasm collection. Obj. 3 Utilize high-value individuals cloned from the field to generate synthetic populations. Obj. 3 Use germplasm to develop a synthetic population using stored pollen. Obj. 3 Use germplasm to develop an inbred line population. Obj. 4(a) Search for hemp-related data in other states. Obj. 4(a) Understand regulations before constructing supply chain transportation networks and testing scenarios. Obj. 4(a) Recruit undergraduate and graduate students and work with team to develop supply chain scenarios for main hemp product classes (seed, fiber, chem/pharma) at different time scales and iterate with economists as research progress permits. Obj. 4(b) Develop life cycle assessment studies for selected hemp-based product manufacturing in collaboration with Obj 4c researchers and relevant industry partners. Obj. 4(b) Publication of LCA studies in the research literature as well as presentation at engineering research conferences. Hold discussions and present relevant results to industry partners. Obj. 4(b) Develop new process models that will be useful to LCA researchers and practitioners for evaluating the environmental impacts of bio-based technologies. Obj. 4(c) Hemp plant samples will be tested as described in the project plan under sub-objective 4c. This work will partly involve developing and standardizing methods that will be used for testing done for the remainder of the grant. In addition, such testing will begin to outline the performance parameters of hemp regarding the various materials that can be produced from this crop, with an eye towards identifying the amount and quality of the products that can be produced under various growing conditions. Obj. 4(c) Undergraduate researchers will help in the lab with the seed analysis methods. Methods will be optimized and seed types will be processed and evaluated using those methods. Obj. 4(c) Continue to gather samples, work on design of lab decortication system, continue to work on modification of methods to characterize hemp fiber and hurd. Obj. 5(a) Additional training will be developed with at least one synchronous workshop offered both in-person and via Zoom. The content of these trainings will be informed by feedback provided by the survey and assessment included in the current, initial online training module. Obj. 5(b) Planning has begun for a day-long virtual train-the-trainer in early 2023 for all Extension and agricultural consulting professionals. Obj. 5(b) First year data and reflections will be recorded with analyses and provide bases for Year-2. Obj. 5(b) Expect the Walker River Paiute Tribe to complete USDA process for self-government Hemp regulations. Obj. 5(c) Develop app-based Production Problem Diagnostics Tool will be initiated during the upcoming reporting period. Obj. 5(c) Distribute AgBiz Logic brochures to Extension colleagues working in this project and throughout the U.S. Obj. 5(c) Input Year-1 production data from "Farm Hubs" into AgBiz Logic CompareMyAgBiz module. Obj. 5(c) Develop instructional videos to be embedded in the AgBiz Logic program modules for growers to better understand how to enter data and interpret output from modules. Obj. 5(c) The team will continue to organize to support sustainable production and work on the linkages that need to occur for successful business development. Obj. 5(d) WSU is initiating the Undergraduate Research Intern program and advertising will begin in late-summer 2022. A brochure to advertise the opportunity to students has been developed with a faculty plan to advertise heavily during the year before the summer 2023 growing season. Obj. 5(d) The program brochure is going to be developed and there is expected to be interns in the second year.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Obj. 1(a)/1(b) Drs. Aimee Huff and Michelle Barnhart (OSU College of Business) have been recruited to create interview guides and train students to facilitate the stakeholder and value chain analysis to identify critical players and better understand the alignment of stakeholders across the value chain. Obj. 1(a) The first year was based on putting research protocols in place and IRB approval. University of Nevada, Reno successful accepted Oregon State's IRB after all documents were submitted based on Nevada protocols, specifically critical for interactions with Native American Indian participants. Obj. 1(c) Outline of quantitative and qualitative data parameters to be collected. Obj. 1(c) Development of template and models to begin financial data collection. Obj. 1(c) Identification and engagement of stakeholders according to project plan. Obj. 2(a) Elaborated project workplan for design of computer simulations, including design of future economic development pathways and data needed to implement simulations. Obj. 2(a) Met and collaborated with other project team members to discuss research design. Obj. 2(a) Developed spreadsheet tool to develop modeling scenarios. Obj. 2(a) Utilized economic models and data to evaluate potential for industrial hemp in Oregon. Obj. 2(a) Organized project meeting to design modeling scenarios for the project. Obj. 2(b) Provided leadership to four students from the OSU College of Engineering who built a process for automatic data importing from grower digital accounting files in a capstone course. Obj. 2(c) Progress made towards a model that will allow us to determine the broad social impacts that hemp could have on regional economic output, employment, and economic welfare, as well as what policies could promote supply chain development. Obj. 3 Germplasm from many sources were obtained and a storage facility for the germplasm was identified and made operational. Exchange protocol with USDA NPGS established. Obj. 3 Initial evaluation of a set of germplasm was initiated in the greenhouse and three field locations. Obj. 3 KASP molecular markers were tested to determine sex of juvenile hemp plants and the markers were found to work well across genotypes. Obj. 3 Initial research was started to develop a pollen germination protocol for use in pollen long-term storage research. Obj. 3 Germplasm was provided to programs on campus for other NIFA-funded hemp research. Obj. 4(a) Developed several ArcGIS layers about potential manufacturing locations, hemp grower locations, and transportation networks in Oregon. Obj. 4(a) Collected data regarding crop information in Oregon from the USDA Census of Agriculture Obj. 4(a) Provided training/orientation to FTOT for team members. Obj. 4(a) Developed initial mock hemp supply chain scenario as a demonstration and for development/iteration over time. Obj. 4(a) Collated information on supply chain structure and available data in PowerPoint for discussion with the team members. Obj. 4(b) Purchased and installed SimaPro v 9.4.0.1 life cycle assessment software, and graduate assistant undertook independent software training using accompanying tutorials. Obj. 4(b) Life cycle assessment carried out for hemp-based mycelium packaging box inserts compared to expanded polystyrene packaging box inserts. This study is being documented for a conference publication and student poster. Obj. 4(c) In addition to participating in the Objective 4 meetings, co-PIS for Objective 4c met once separately on March 15 to discuss research procedures needed to conduct the testing described under sub-sub objectives 4.c.1 - 4.c.4. Understanding these needs will be used by the co-PIs to secure adequate samples from the various 2022 growing season field experiments to allow proper testing of hemp materials as described under Objective 4 sub-objectives. Obj. 4(C) Field trials were set up to generate seed and stem sections from a variety of hemp varieties/cultivars. Those seeds and stem sections will be harvested this fall and used for analysis of seed and protein quality and of stem fiber quality in the coming year. Obj. 4(C) Diverse samples of stalk from grain and fiber type hemp plants have been obtained and bast fiber and hurd samples. Obj. 4(C) Participated in several industry committees dedicated to developing standard methods to characterize hemp fiber and hurd. Obj. 4(C) Methods to measure hemp fiber width and width distribution have been attempted. Obj. 5(a) An initial training module in cultural competency and respectful relationship-building with Native American partners was developed and launched online to train all grant-affiliated personnel. Obj. 5(b) There were two different sites in Fallon, NV planted with four-different varieties of seed Obj. 5(b) Field demonstrations were hosted at two locations in Fallon, Nevada in collaboration with Western States Hemp, demonstrating CBD hemp and hemp grown for fiber and grain purposes. Nineteen people joined the field demonstration at each location. Obj. 5(b) The Walker River Paiute Tribe submitted their first draft of self-governing Hemp regulations to USDA. Obj. 5(c) A Southern Oregon Hemp Field Day was held September 8 including a visit to one Tribal Hub farm with discussions on sustainable production practices and updates on agronomic research trials. More than 50 producers and industry members attended. Obj. 5(c) Two hemp field days were held in Nevada, one hosted with hub partner and the other at the University of Nevada Experiment Station. Attendance was more than 20 individuals. Obj. 5(c) Two Zoom organization meeting brought business development sides of the project together. Obj. 5(d) Washington State University successfully hosted one student intern, and a recruitment brochure for future student interns was developed and is being distributed in late summer 2022. Obj. 5(d) The PIs met twice in person and held online meetings. The internship is a little different by state. The program has been organized and the publication materials are in their early phases.

Publications