Hemp Field Day

Local entrepreneurs showcase fiber trials, build farmer networks, and lay groundwork for regional decortication facility

The industrial hemp industry in Michigan is entering a critical growth phase, and two entrepreneurs are working to ensure the Great Lakes region doesn't miss its moment. Rusty and Corey of Ascent Atlas joined the latest iHemp Hour to discuss their upcoming Hemp Fiber Field Day on August 23rd near Ludington, Michigan—and to share insights from years of variety trials, cross-country networking, and hands-on learning.

From CBD Bucking Machines to Fiber Processing Vision

Corey's entry into hemp came through the cannabinoid side, developing harvest equipment through his company VZTech, which produces bucking machines, grinders, and shredders for the processing stage. But a partnership with Rusty four years ago shifted their focus toward fiber and grain.

"Ever since we met, we've been really intrigued by the fiber side of things and kind of getting—hopefully getting—a processing facility out here in Michigan soon." — Corey

That vision has required patience. The duo has deliberately held back from rushing into equipment purchases, watching as the market evolved and new options emerged.

"Funding and the opportunity hasn't landed in our lap right away... We've seen a lot of people kind of help guide us in different directions. The industry changes every single day." — Corey

Why Michigan? Location, Moisture, and Manufacturing

After traveling to hemp operations across the country—Texas, Montana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and beyond—Rusty and Corey have identified Michigan's unique advantages:

• Moisture levels ideal for field retting (the process of breaking down plant material to separate fiber)
• Proximity to manufacturing including automotive, plastics, and composites industries
• Existing agricultural infrastructure that can be adapted for hemp

"Michigan checks a lot of boxes. We can really get into a good product that can grow well and be retted really well because we've got a lot of moisture." — Corey

The target markets for Michigan fiber aren't high-end textiles—at least not yet. Instead, Ascent Atlas is focusing on:

• Animal bedding
• Hempcrete (hemp-lime building material)
• Non-wovens (industrial fabrics)
• Plastics and composites (replacing mined minerals like calcium carbonate and talc)

Variety Trials: Finding What Works for Michigan

Over several years of trials, the team has tested varietals from Canada, France, Poland, China, and Australia. Their findings:

Polish Varietal: Białobrzeskie (B-Lab)

• Good biomass for fiber
• Decent grain head for dual-cropping
• Strong fiber quality

Chinese/Asian Varietals: Yuma, Kuma, Han, Jinma

• Exceptional biomass production
• Last year's Michigan trial produced plants 17-18 feet tall
• Good hurd (the woody core) production
• Extended growing period (121+ days) without going to seed

What Makes "Grade A" Fiber?

Corey explained that premium textile fiber requires:

• Soft material with high tensile strength
• Good spacing between nodes (growth segments on the stalk)
• Clean separation of fiber from hurd during processing
• Smaller diameter stalks (about pinky-sized)

For textile-grade fiber, plant density needs to be over 1 million plants per acre—a stark contrast to grain or dual-purpose cultivation.

"If you're going for that high-end textile grade fiber, it's shorter, skinnier. You can usually harvest it... towards the end of July when it's about five or six feet." — Corey

The Processing Puzzle: Chicken and Egg

The fundamental challenge remains: farmers need contracts before they'll plant, but processors need supply before they'll build facilities.

"Without the trust and integrity and the farming network, this industry will go nowhere. That's really honestly what Rusty and I have tried very hard to keep in check this entire time." — Corey

Ascent Atlas is taking a measured approach, building relationships first:

• Working with Ind Hemp on special projects (including textile harvests and biodiesel research)
• Collaborating with growers in Ohio to share learnings and seed
• Partnering with equipment manufacturers like Bill Beard for harvest machinery
• Connecting with Melissa in Kansas on hurd processing applications

The scale required is significant. Once a processing facility comes online, Ascent Atlas anticipates needing to ramp up to 5,000-6,000 acres within one to two years.

Beyond Economics: Carbon, Conservation, and Crop Rotation

Rusty emphasized that hemp's value proposition extends beyond direct revenue:

"We haven't even really touched upon the sustainability side of things and greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration. We're seeing companies like Puro Earth that are now trading their corks on the NASDAQ." — Rusty

The team is working with agronomist Crop Scout Christie to understand how hemp fits into traditional Midwest rotations with corn, soybeans, wheat, and sugar beets.

"Hemp plays its role as part of a corn operation, as part of a wheat grower's operation. We're in no way, shape, or form competing." — Rusty

This framing—hemp as complement, not competition—is crucial for farmer adoption.

Field Day Details: August 23rd Near Ludington

📅 Date: Tuesday, August 23rd 📍 Location: Near Ludington, Michigan (specific address available upon registration) 🌐 Register: AscentAtlas.com

Confirmed Speakers & Attendees:

• Crop Scout Christie – Agronomist and farming advocate
• MSU Extension representatives conducting hemp research
• Marguerite Bolt – Purdue University hemp specialist
• Jamie – Midwest Hemp Council
• Michigan Economic Development representatives
• USDA personnel
• Conservation district officials
• Local grower Nate Wickham

The format will emphasize Q&A and open discussion over rigid presentations.

"Our biggest thing is—as much as we want to have an agenda—where I personally have gotten the most out of it is the Q&A and the panels... We wanted to create an environment where it was more conducive to that." — Rusty

📱 Note: Cell service is limited at the field location—plan accordingly!

Industry News Roundup

Blaine Bechtold provided updates on several developing stories:

CRA Leadership Change

Brian Brisbo, Director of Michigan's Cannabis Regulatory Agency, is stepping down. No interim or permanent replacement has been announced yet. The November processor re-registration deadline approaches.

Legislative Progress on Fiber & Grain Testing

Congressional hearings showed bipartisan frustration with USDA and FDA absence from discussions. Movement is building to:

• Exempt fiber and grain hemp from THC testing when not destined for cannabinoid markets
• Create an approved seed variety list (similar to Canada's system)
• Include these changes in the 2023 Farm Bill

Upcoming Events

Hempies Award Spotlight: Icon Processors

This week's featured Hempies Award winner is Icon Processors and their Eterna skincare line, which captured first and second place in both 2021 and 2022.

Becky, the Hemp Princess, shared her experience with the products:

"I love this stuff. I have really oily skin, so I was concerned about whether or not I could even use this... Every woman out there is looking for the fountain of youth, and I gotta tell you—this is it for me."

The Eterna Advanced Wrinkle Serum (1,000mg CBD) and Nighttime Repair Cream have even found an unexpected user: Becky's 15-year-old granddaughter uses the nighttime cream to combat dryness from cystic acne treatment.

🛒 Find Eterna products at IconProcessors.com

Recipe of the Week: Blueberry Hemp Smoothie

With Michigan blueberry season winding down, Blaine shared this antioxidant-rich smoothie recipe:

Ingredients:

• Vanilla soy milk
• Plain low-fat yogurt
• Almond butter
• Hemp hearts (available at iHempMichigan.com)
• Fresh or frozen blueberries
• Frozen banana
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Combine soy milk, yogurt, almond butter, and hemp hearts in a blender
2. Blend until smooth
3. Add frozen fruit and ice
4. Blend again and enjoy!

Find this and other hemp recipes at iHempMichigan.com

The Road Ahead

Rusty and Corey's approach offers a template for sustainable industry development: build relationships before infrastructure, set realistic expectations, and prioritize transparency over hype.

"The more that you can communicate and educate, bring people into your network, the more that people start to understand... Everything is based with realistic expectations and realistic outcomes." — Rusty

For those who've watched Michigan's hemp industry weather the storms of the past few years, the Fiber Field Day represents something valuable: proof that patient, relationship-first development can create the foundation for lasting success.

Want to get involved? Visit iHempMichigan.com to join as a member, access resources, and stay connected to Michigan's growing industrial hemp community.

Growing the future from seeds of the past. 🌿