Gordon Scheifele

President

2004 ONTARIO HEMP ALLIANCE ANNUAL REPORT

The 2004 activities of the OHA resulted in several landmark events and progress steps.

1. OHA Annual Director’s Meeting: Jan 24, 2004 at University of Guelph, Guelph. Featured Mr. Julien Den Tandt of Den Tandt & Associates Inc. as feature speaker. Established a Hemp Breeder/Seed Propagation Research Committee with Mr. Claude Pinsonneault as Chairman and committee of Gordon Scheifele, Roger Rivest, Helmut Becker and Peter Elkerton.

2. Directors of the Ontario Hemp Alliance
1. Executive Director, Peter Elkerton, pelkerton@sympatico.ca
2. President, Gordon Scheifele, gscheifele@rogers.com
3. Treasurer, Christeen Urquhart, Christeenu@hotmail.com
4. Ex Officio, Kevin Montgomery, kevin.montgomery@omafra.gov.on.ca
5. Claude Pinsonneault, Chair of Hemp Breeder/Seed Propagation Research Committee. claudep@kent.net
6. Greg Harriott, Hempola Inc., greg@hempola.com
7. Arthur Hanks, Saskatchewan Hemp Association, Info@saskhemp.com
8. Helmut Becker: hbecker@uwo.ca
9. David Marcus info@fastfuelup.com

10. Harry Bierman, biermans@wightman.ca

11. Roger Rivest, greatlakesorganic@sympatico.ca

3. Finalized the Hemp Research/Breeding contract with Ridgetown College/University of Guelph. This is annual contract to December, 2004 and open for renewal in 2005.

4. Fatty Acid profiles were completed in the spring of 2004 by the University of Manitoba for the 126 breeder lines by the OHA in partnership with Parkland Hemp.

5. Eight of the top Fatty Acid profile lines for GLA and Steredonic Acid and Omega 3/Omega 6 ratio were planted in 2004 for selection and crosses. Crosses were made using the 3 pre breeder lines with the highest fatty acid profiles for the OHA based on low THC, Ontario maturity, high yield, adaptability to Ontario and desired a range agronomic characteristics. A total of 20 selected lines from these crosses will be tested for fatty acid profiles and the 3 best will be selected and planted in 2005 for breeder seed selection and best agronomic line will be promoted for registration as a new variety.

6. Fifteen acres of ANKA Certified seed production were contracted in 2004 with Great Lakes Organic/Snobolen Farms. This production effort was unsuccessful due to uncontrolled weeds and severe sustained herbicide injury (attempting to control broadleaf and grass weeds) and was destroyed. This results in no ANKA certified seed for sale in 2005. This was a very significant loss and setback. Remaining registered seed inventory of ANKA is 450 pounds.

7. ANKA breeder seed plot was contracted with Ridgetown College/U of G in 2004. Breeder seed has been harvested. Due to very wet spring and extreme stressful conditions the plot was replanted 3x and the results questionable. The actual amount of breeder seed is still unknown but is estimated to be about 5 kg. The breeder seed will need to go through another year of selection for plant type conformity and low THC. The Ridgetown College/U of G has contracted to maintain a 5 pound breeder seed sample for the OHA for future propagation (up to 5 years) of ANKA. This will allow continued future propagation of the ANKA variety in 2006.

8. Twenty five acres of 2001 CARMEN foundation seed (2001 inventory from IHSIA<50% germination) was contracted with John Baker, Stirling, Ontario, for registered seed production. Harvest resulted in 1,000 plus pounds of certified #1 registered seed. There is also a remaining inventory of 2001 foundation seed of 1,000 pounds with <50% germination. Intentions are to propagate the foundation and registered seed in 2005.

9. July 16, 2004 Hemp Field Day: This was held at Ridgetown College and consisted of an intensive agenda of conference speakers, strip plot tours and research plot tour.

A very successful event.

Good speakers, good crowd, good weather.

The event was co-sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Ridgetown College / The University of Guelph and was underwritten by the Ontario Hemp Alliance with the support of the Canadian Technology Network, Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance, Chatham-Kent Futures, Bank of Nova Scotia and Auto 21.

10. Completed Stage 1 & Stage 2 of Canadian Technology Network (CTN) Consultations contracted with Garth Williams, Williams & Assoc., London. Resulted in development of Business Plan and Marketing/Conference Planning Assistance.

11. Participated in Trade Show Exhibit at the Guelph Organic Conference, U of G, Guelph, January 24 & 25, 2004.

12. Participated in the Central Eastern Ontario Biotech Cluster Innovation Program and co sponsored by Quinte Economic Development Corporation and Trenval Community Futures Development Corporation
A full day of presentations, discussions and site visits to understand the full potential of the Central Eastern Ontario region and beyond in the emerging biofibres industry. Brought together were people and organizations who have been working in various parts of the sector in the hopes that everyone could see and understand the opportunities before us and be part of shaping the plans to move forward to capture economic and environmental rewards associated with this industry.

13. The OHA Sponsored Gordon Scheifele to participate in the BioFibre Germany Mission Tour in conjunction with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, a workshop and industry tour on the topic of natural fibres for March 1-5, 2004 in West Germany. The goal of the mission was to examine the business of fibre separation and fibre processing into high-end products. Speakers from throughout Europe discussed the latest technologies in decortication and what makes a business successful. Also, at the conference were processors that manufactured insulation and polymer composites using natural fibres. The tour included fibre separation plants, felt manufacturers and a visit to a DaimlerChrysler (Mercedes-Benz) plant. About 25 Canadian representatives from companies, associations and governments participated in the week-long tour (5 from Ontario).

14. The OHA sponsored Hemp grain variety strip trials conducted by Gordon Scheifele at Harry Bierman, Chesley, Ont., Ridgetown College, Ridgetown, Ont., and Barry Staples, Cavan, Ont. Only the Barry Staples site was harvested and report is posted on OHA web site.

15. Generous Media coverage: The OHA and Ontario hemp industry benefited from several generous media coverage’s in 2004: Ontario Farmer, Regional Country News, Cannabis Health, TV and Radio.

16. Gordon Scheifele, as OHA president, attended the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance annual members meeting in Winnipeg, Oct., 24, 2004.