Agriculture study to find commercial uses for fibre and oil seed crops

Discovering commercial uses for fibre crops and oil seed is the focus of a study in the Sault Ste. Marie area.
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is delivering $13,750 to the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation to study uses for locally-grown oil seeds crops and soy beans, along with the possibility of growing fibre crops such as industrial hemp varieties.
A March 18, Northern Development and Mines news release says if the study results are positive, as many as 15 new jobs could be created to operate an oil seed crushing facility to process fibre and produce biodiesel fuel.
Local politicians say such a project could diversify the region's agricultural sector by launching new cash crops. The Algoma district around Sault Ste. Marie contains 335 farms, which mostly grow hay, barley and oats.
Hemp can be used in paper and textile products. Oil seeds, such as soybeans, sunflowers, canola and flax, are commercially grown primarily for its oil.