The Global Hemp Innovation Center at Oregon State University has been awarded $5.5 million by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service to fund groundbreaking research into hemp-based foods, beverages, and industrial uses, according to the Hemp Gazette. The grant aims to develop hemp varieties that can adapt to the unique growing conditions of the western United States while exploring biodegradable packaging products, building materials, and plant-based consumables.
Center director Jeffrey Steiner emphasized the long-term vision for the project: “Our goal is to develop multiple product streams from hemp with no remaining waste, just as has been successfully done by the cotton, corn, and timber industries.” This research could pave the way for a waste-free future, where hemp is transformed into versatile products across industries.
Additionally, the funding will help researchers work toward creating a robust scientific and business foundation for industrial hemp production. This includes focusing on varieties specifically suited to the Pacific Northwest and enhancing the potential for new food, beverage, and biobased products.
This grant follows another significant USDA award of $10 million in March to the same research center, which focuses on working with 13 Native American tribes to investigate hemp economic development, build sustainable supply chains, and boost rural and tribal economies through the hemp industry.
