Staff
Just two months after announcing the launch of Arcadia Specialty Genomics™, a new cannabis-dedicated division of agricultural crop improvement, the company has released images of its first crop of sun-grown, Hawaiian hemp. Arcadia’s new cannabis unit, cultivates six Hawaiian hemp strains on its 10-acre Hawaiian facility.
In March, the company revealed it had been granted an Industrial Hemp Pilot Program (“HIHPP”) License by Hawaii’s Department of Agriculture. The license allows for the cultivation of industrial hemp for the purposes of agricultural and academic research. Hemp and hemp products produced under the program may be commercially sold.
With a 10-acre field station in Hawaii, Arcadia is producing its first research crop of hemp to test the impact of climate and geography on crop parameters like yield and quality. Arcadia Specialty Genomics’ scientists and agronomists are evaluating and characterizing the performance of a number of local strains against various climate and biological conditions to understand the attributes of each, as well as identify opportunities for improvement. In addition, the company has hired full time staff at its Hawaii facility to oversee the ongoing research and grow operations.
“It’s highly gratifying to see our first hemp research crop taking root in Hawaii, having planted six different Hawaiian strains,” said Matt Plavan, president of Arcadia Specialty Genomics and CFO of Arcadia Biosciences. “In order to solve for crop variability – a major concern for U.S. hemp farmers – we first need to understand its drivers. We’re applying the sound, scientific approaches we’ve used to improve other crops, such as wheat, to create new breeds of superior hemp.”
Hawaii is the first state where Arcadia Specialty Genomics has commenced its research and cultivation of hemp in federal and state legal cannabis markets, using non-GMO techniques to produce superior U.S. hemp crops.
While traditional agricultural crops can be difficult to grow and export economically in Hawaii, the rich soil and warm climate are ideal for cultivating high-value crops such as hemp.
Arcadia Biosciences is a recognized leader bringing deep experience and established capabilities in this kind of crop innovation and optimization, delivering proven results safflower, wheat and durum such as:
A 100 percent increase in the production of omega-6 GLA for safflower
Two to six times more fiber than standard wheat and durum with its proprietary GoodWheat™ flour
A 65 percent reduction in allergenic gluten content in its GoodWheat™ flour
30 percent more lysine, an essential amino acid, in GoodWheat™ compared to standard wheat
The company expects to harvest its first crop of Hawaiian-grown research hemp this summer.
