Jefferson Students Investigate Hemp Bioplastic

Researchers in the College of Design, Engineering, and Commerce at Thomas Jefferson University share their progress in formulating hemp-PLA composites. Through partnerships with PA-based companies and funding through the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Kander Research Group seeks to build a local supply chain for sustainable and biodegradable plastic manufacturing.

Recently featured at TJU's Celebration of Innovation, Lexi Patania, Maggie Riley, Ashley Clark, and Gabriella Fioravanti explain what motivates their work:

Research Poster Session at 2022 PA Hemp Summit

The PA Hemp Summit is returning to a full-sized event this November! After hosting portions of the event online the past two years due to COVID-19 concerns, the Reception, Summit, and Trade Show will take place in-person at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA.

The 2022 convention will feature reimagined educational programming, with more interactive and non-conventional presentations. Another first for the event will be a local Research Showcase, which aims to highlight students and researchers across a wide array of disciplines.

From the Call for Proposals:

The Hemp Research Poster Session is a professional development opportunity that will bring together students and investigators of industrial hemp along with industry and government leaders to spark conversation about the future directions of hemp innovation. Join us at this interactive session to engage with community members and network.

Submissions are invited from Academic and Research Institutions on one or more of the following topics related to Industrial Hemp:

Agronomy

Genetics

Cultivation

Pest Management

Herbicide & Weed Control

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Grain

Fiber

CBD

Nutrition

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Environmental Impact

Risk Management

Safety

Budget and Finance

To learn more on how to participate, please download the Request for Proposals, which is attached here:

Hemp Summit - Poster Presentation RFP.pdf

Download PDF • 45KB

Growing Hemp At Oakley Farm

What's happening this month?

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The days are getting much longer, and the weather is fickle. The forecrop plots planted October 7, 2021, are growing in fitsand-starts just like the weather. Cosaque Oats, a black oat known for allelopathy, was planted a few weeks too early. It is covering the ground, but not as robust as the other three crops. The untreated plots are fairly well covered with weeds, including henbit, Poa trivialis (“Poa Triv” or rough bluegrass) and dandelions.

In the middle of the month, our research farm team terminated the forecrops and untreated plots during the few days of 70 °F plus temperatures. Depending on temperature, the plants

should die in 10 to 14 days. Then the field will be rototilled and weed seeds allowed a week or more to germinate. The field will be rototilled lightly two more times after surface weed seeds

germinate. Our target hemp planting date is the second week of May, depending on weather and field conditions. After the third tillage pass, hemp will be planted on the same day.

Forecrops were terminated at about 12 inches tall in Mid-April. Temperatures were above 55°F for several days.

Hemp seed for the variety trial is beginning to arrive from breeders. New varieties will be compared to our current portfolio when grown after the forecrops. A second field will be planted with one variety following winter annual trials. An August Hemp Field Day is being planned. Stay tuned!