Australian Hemp Masonry Pty Ltd is actively working with farmers to encourage improved management of Australian farms through sustainable hemp farming.
HEMP IN RESTORATIVE FARMING
1. Converting pasture to small and medium scale sustainable hemp growing
http://www.northernrivershemp.org/organic-hemp-farming-notes/
2. The suitability of Hemp to organic agriculture (Montford and Small 1999b).
http://www.northernrivershemp.org/articles/farming/ecological-friendliness-of-hemp/
3. Integrating hemp in organic farming systems: A focus on the United Kingdom, France and Denmark
4. Current 4 year organic industrial hemp trials at the Rodale institute
https://rodaleinstitute.org/science/industrial-hemp-trial/
As industrial hemp fibre crops are planted at high densities, the plants which compete for light, drop the majority of their leaves adding a rich source of nitrogen to the soil. The long taproot and the stubble left after harvesting also enrich the soil for subsequent crops. According to UK research a fibre crop will contribute 1 tonne of soil carbon per hectare.
Research at Lund University in Sweden in 2005 concluded that hemp has lower environmental impacts than most alternatives crops or competing raw materials. As a renewable resource it can offset emissions and reduce stress on depleting non-renewable resources.
Agronomically, hemp can reduce fertiliser and pesticide use, improve soil aeration and reduce soil loss or erosion due to the plant’s extensive root system and it is a good rotational crop (Roulac, 1997). Overall, hemp places less stress on the surrounding environment than most alternatives, and this will be improved with advances in harvesting technology and breeding.
COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL HEMP LICENCES
To find out about the conditions that apply to licences in your state and to apply for a licence please see the following links: