iHemp issue #15 May 2021 Fibre Construction | Page 12

Understanding history helps us see the future .

Most readers of this magazine would understand the value proposition of industrial hemp for New Zealand and the world . Hemp NZ Ltd has set the stage for the fibre industry in New Zealand . Anne and Dave Jordan , founders of the HempFarm brand and grower program , have taken industrial hemp to new highs in the quest to normalize the crop and all products made from it .
Dave began the journey in 2008 growing his first crop . Anne joined him in 2011 and together with Anne ’ s son Harley , they set out to build a vibrant hemp business based on a feed stock that would provide sustainable solutions for remediating many of the environmental issues that we face today .

New industry provides economic sovereignty for New Zealand .

In 2019 , after 10 years of running and developing the HempFarm grower program themselves , Dave and Anne invited Carrfields Limited to join forces and administer their grower program . At the same time , Hemp NZ Ltd , the parent company of HempFarm , entered into a partnership with Christchurch based NZ Yarn Ltd . “ We decided that the synergies between the two companies was so strong , that it made sense to join forces . Hemp fibre and hemp / wool blends will give a unique and innovative edge to the industry ”, explains Dave . “ New Zealand wool is world renowned and so to blend this beautiful yarn with sustainable , high quality hemp fibre makes perfect sense ” says Anne .
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After spending many years in R & D and travelling the world to find the best in hemp decortication systems , Dave and Anne sourced a state-of-the-art hemp fibre processing line which arrived in the country last year . It ' s the first and only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere . At the end of 2020 it was installed at NZ Yarn Ltd , which has recently changed its name to New Zealand