Canndigenous, an Indigenous-owned company, receives USDA grant to develop climate-friendly hemp
Wisconsin-based hemp company Canndigenous, in partnership with Iconoclast Industries and several universities and business partners, has received $15 million from the "Industrial Hemp for Fiber and Grain" project of the USDA Climate-Smart Commodities program.
The funds were awarded for the development of hemp as a climate-smart product, and Canndigenous is the only tribal member-owned partner to receive funding from the Smart Products Program of the USDA.
In addition, the USDA is investing up to $2.8 billion in 70 selected projects under the first Climate-Smart Commodity Partnerships funding pool.
Hemp: a climate-smart commodityThe $15 million grant project led by Iconoclast Industries will be used "to support the expansion of climate-smart markets by providing open access data and training on how to monetize climate-smart practices through a digital marketplace driver,” Canndigenous reported in a press release.
The project will establish an inclusive workforce to engage with underserved growers and financially support them as they learn climate-smart practices in Florida, New York , Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.
"The USDA is moving the needle in the right direction by investing in climate-smart consumable products and encouraging companies like Canndigenous to raise the bar," said Rob Pero , founder of Canndigenous and a member of the Upper Lake Tribe of Chippewa Indians. “We are committed to driving the industry forward and making ambitious contributions to decarbonize our world.”
As the first independent Native American-owned hemp farm and CBD retailer in Wisconsin, Canndigenous is focused on growing local, organic, CBD and wellness products.
Indigenous Cannabis Industry AssociationPero founded the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA), a national trade organization in 2022 to support Indigenous interests in the emerging cannabis industry. The organization promotes the development of an equitable, just and sustainable indigenous cannabis economy.
Mary Jane Oatman (Nez Perce), COO and Executive Director of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association commended Canndigenous' work to "increase research opportunities for other tribes by participating in smart climate data pilot project for Indian Country.
"Rob is a tribal innovator. Sometimes it takes an individual tribal member to take that first big step to show tribal leaders that cannabis development is safe and legitimate, with good prospects for federal research funding.
A broad allianceOther partners joining Canndigenous for the USDA-funded "Industrial Hemp for Fiber and Grain" project include the Universities of Florida, Georgia, Stockton, and Texas A&M, as well as the Florida and Virginia Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Global Hemp Association, M4MM, and Stillman College.
Photo by Nicky �
Wisconsin-based hemp company Canndigenous, in partnership with Iconoclast Industries and several universities and business partners, has received $15 million from the "Industrial Hemp for Fiber and Grain" project of the USDA Climate-Smart Commodities program.
The funds were awarded for the development of hemp as a climate-smart product, and Canndigenous is the only tribal member-owned partner to receive funding from the Smart Products Program of the USDA.
In addition, the USDA is investing up to $2.8 billion in 70 selected projects under the first Climate-Smart Commodity Partnerships funding pool.
Hemp: a climate-smart commodityThe $15 million grant project led by Iconoclast Industries will be used "to support the expansion of climate-smart markets by providing open access data and training on how to monetize climate-smart practices through a digital marketplace driver,” Canndigenous reported in a press release.
The project will establish an inclusive workforce to engage with underserved growers and financially support them as they learn climate-smart practices in Florida, New York , Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.
"The USDA is moving the needle in the right direction by investing in climate-smart consumable products and encouraging companies like Canndigenous to raise the bar," said Rob Pero , founder of Canndigenous and a member of the Upper Lake Tribe of Chippewa Indians. “We are committed to driving the industry forward and making ambitious contributions to decarbonize our world.”
As the first independent Native American-owned hemp farm and CBD retailer in Wisconsin, Canndigenous is focused on growing local, organic, CBD and wellness products.
Indigenous Cannabis Industry AssociationPero founded the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA), a national trade organization in 2022 to support Indigenous interests in the emerging cannabis industry. The organization promotes the development of an equitable, just and sustainable indigenous cannabis economy.
Mary Jane Oatman (Nez Perce), COO and Executive Director of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association commended Canndigenous' work to "increase research opportunities for other tribes by participating in smart climate data pilot project for Indian Country.
"Rob is a tribal innovator. Sometimes it takes an individual tribal member to take that first big step to show tribal leaders that cannabis development is safe and legitimate, with good prospects for federal research funding.
A broad allianceOther partners joining Canndigenous for the USDA-funded "Industrial Hemp for Fiber and Grain" project include the Universities of Florida, Georgia, Stockton, and Texas A&M, as well as the Florida and Virginia Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Global Hemp Association, M4MM, and Stillman College.
Photo by Nicky �
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