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2 CapitalPress.com September 30, 2016 People & Places Nursery grower ventures into hemp Barry Cook launches Boring Hemp Co. to test exciting market for new crop Western Innovator By MATEUSZ PERKOWSKI Capital Press Barry Cook doesn’t want passersby to get too excited about the new crop he’s got growing at his nursery in Bor- ing, Ore. The distinctive palm-like, serrated leaves that iden- tify the plants as cannabis are bound to attract some unwanted attention, which is why Cook has posted his ields with signs that identi- fy them as industrial hemp, marijuana’s non-psychoactive relative. The signs clarify that hemp contains zero THC, the psy- choactive compound, and will produce no mind-altering ef- fects if smoked, so stealing the plants is “not worth the head- ache.” “If we get robbed, we’ll probably only get robbed once,” Cook said. The name of Cook’s new venture — Boring Hemp Co. — is a double entendre refer- ring to its physical location and the crop’s lack of psycho- active properties. While the legalization of marijuana in Oregon has spawned a multitude of new businesses seeking to capital- ize on the crop, Cook believes hemp also presents big oppor- tunities with fewer risks. “I don’t have the same se- curity concerns as medical and recreational growers have,” he said. For now, the Boring Hemp Co. is focusing on producing hemp seeds, which have been in short supply as the nascent Barry Cook Occupation: Business owner, nursery producer, hemp grower Capital Press Established 1928 Board of directors Mike Forrester ..........................President Steve Forrester Kathryn Brown Sid Freeman .................. Outside director Mike Omeg .................... Outside director Corporate oficer John Perry Chief operating oficer Capital Press Managers Mike O’Brien .............................Publisher Joe Beach ..................................... Editor Elizabeth Yutzie Sell .... Advertising Director Carl Sampson ................Managing Editor Barbara Nipp ......... Production Manager Samantha McLaren .... Circulation Manager Hometown: Boring, Ore. Age: 58 Education: Attended the University of Montana Family: Wife, Lee Ann, and three grown sons, Bo, Sam and Ty Photos by Mateusz Perkowski/Capital Press Barry Cook, left, speaks with his son, Bo, in a ield of hemp growing at his nursery in Boring, Ore. Cook, his wife and three sons are growing hemp on fallow land as a way of diversifying the company. industry inds its legs in the state. Next year, Cook plans to begin segregating male plants, allowing the females to pro- duce seedless lowers from which one can extract canna- bidiol, or CBD, a medicinal compound used to treat pain, seizures and inlammation. The stems and stalks of the plant will be dried and stored until Oregon’s hemp industry becomes more mature, in the hopes that processing facili- ties will be built to turn these byproducts into textiles, paper, rope, building materials or oth- er goods. “The plant has multiple income opportunities,” said Cook. At this point, Cook is tak- ing a conservative approach by growing hemp on land that’s resting fallow between rota- tions of nursery stock. This strategy will allow Boring Hemp Co. to get a sense of how much money can be earned from the crop and whether it’s worth expanding. “We’re not quitting the nursery industry, but here is an annual crop that has a potential up side not only inancially but environmentally,” he said. Research has shown that hemp’s deep roots are valuable for soil structure and reduce the presence of undesirable nematodes and fungi. They’re also used in “phytoremedia- tion” of land by drawing heavy metals from the soil. Hemp is already grown on a large scale in Canada for oil- seed and iber, but Cook thinks Oregon growers can establish a niche industry on a smaller scale because the plant’s low- ers are the primary product. “We’re doing it for differ- ent reasons,” he said. Boring Hemp Co. is start- ing as a family affair, with Cook’s wife, Lee Ann, and three grown sons, Bo, Sam and Ty, involved in different aspects of the operation. Bo is in charge of growing the plants, Sam will be devel- oping a business plan and Ty will work with vendors and customers. “They all communicate really well with each other,” Cook said. Venturing into hemp isn’t the irst time Cook has rein- vented his agricultural enter- prise. In the early 1980s, upon buying his property, Cook raised raspberries, strawber- ries and blackberries but even- tually grew tired of insuficient labor and weather luctuations that damaged the crops. In 1996, he switched to growing various types of or- namental nursery stock while operating a hydro-seeding and erosion control company, Northwest Hydro-Mulchers, that continues to be the fami- ly’s primary business. Entire contents copyright © 2016 EO Media Group dba Capital Press An independent newspaper published every Friday. Capital Press (ISSN 0740-3704) is published weekly by EO Media Group, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem OR 97301. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, OR, and at additional mailing ofices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Capital Press, P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048. To Reach Us Toll free ............................. 800-882-6789 Main line ........................... 503-364-4431 Fax ................................... 503-370-4383 Advertising Fax ................ 503-364-2692 News Staff N. California Tim Hearden .................... 530-605-3072 The Boring Hemp Co.’s display at the recent Farwest Show in Portland, Ore. Barry Cook, the company’s owner, posts such signs at his nursery in Boring, Ore., to discourage theft of the plants. Now, he’s aiming to put his plant knowledge to use while exploring new territory by breeding hemp to maximize CBD while minimizing THC. “We’re hoping we can be- come more reined and accu- rate,” Cook said. E Idaho John O’Connell ................. 208-421-4347 Idaho Carol Ryan Dumas .......... 208-860-3898 Boise Sean Ellis .......................... 208-914-8264 Central Washington Dan Wheat ........................ 509-699-9099 E Washington Matthew Weaver .............. 509-688-9923 Oregon Eric Mortenson ................ 503-412-8846 Mateusz Perkowski .......... 800-882-6789 Graphic artist Alan Kenaga ..................... 800-882-6789 To Place Classiied Ads Oregon’s bounty to be spotlighted at Capitol Ad fax .............................. 503-364-2692 or ...................................... 503-370-4383 Telephone (toll free) .......... 866-435-2965 Online ......www.capitalpress.com/classiieds Subscriptions By BRENNA WIEGAND Mail rates paid in advance For the Capital Press Easy Pay U.S. $3.75/month (direct with- drawal from bank or credit card account) SALEM — If a downtown pumpkin patch doesn’t draw a crowd, a 30-foot salmon on the Capitol steps ought to reel people in. The Oregon Capitol Foun- dation hosts “Oregon’s Boun- ty: A Celebration of the Har- vest” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Capi- tol in Salem. The event will raise aware- ness of agriculture and fa- miliarize the public with the workings of the Capitol. In the festival’s second year, the number of partners has doubled to two dozen ag- riculture-related businesses, agencies and groups. All of the partners provide displays and hands-on activ- ities that teach people about raising fruit, vegetables, dairy cows and other livestock and informs about natural resourc- es and educational programs, including FFA. Among the attractions in- side the Capitol and around the Capitol Mall will be baby animals, a free pump- kin patch, antique tractors, live music and dancing, face painting and Claudia the Chi- nook Salmon. “We hope to double last year’s 600 to 800 visitors,” 1 year U.S. ...................................$49.99 2 years U.S. .................................$89.99 1 year Canada .................................$275 1 year other countries ......... call for quote 1 year Internet only .......................$49.99 1 year 4-H, FFA students and teachers ....$30 9 months 4-H, FFA students & teachers .....$25 Visa and Mastercard accepted Brenna Wiegand/For the Capital Press Capital Press File The Oregon State Capitol will be the site of the Oct. 8 Oregon’s Bounty Festival, which will feature the state’s agriculture. Stacy Nalley of the Oregon State Capitol said. “We have Claudia the Chinook Salmon from Polk Soil & Water Con- servation District. At 25 to 30 feet long and probably 9 feet tall, she should be a real draw to people driving by.” Steve Johnson, Early Day Gas Engine Tractor Associa- tion president, is modifying the selection of antique trac- tors he’s bringing this year. “Last year I had a couple of really unique tractors,” John- son said. “The kids didn’t care about that. … I had a couple little ones there that I didn’t care if they climbed on and that’s all they wanted to do.” This and other Saturday events, including Cherry Blossom Day in March, seek to bring the public into the Capitol. “All of these have come about because of the Capitol History Gateway Project,” Nalley said. “When they come through those doors we want them to know that this is the people’s building and they are welcome here. During our building tours we try to deliver the message that they’re able to participate in everything that happens in the chambers and hearing rooms — and if they’re not able to be here it’s all streamed on the internet.” In the House, a giant Douglas ir tree is woven into the carpet’s design; the Senate carpet incorporates a chinook salmon and wheat. Dylan Wells of Autumn Harvest in Aurora, Ore., lines up pumpkins for donation to the Oregon’s Bounty event Oct. 8 at the Capitol. Kids can take home a free pumpkin while supplies last. To get information published Mailing address: Capital Press P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048 News: Contact the main ofice or news staff member closest to you, send the in- formation to newsroom@capitalpress.com or mail it to “Newsroom,” c/o Capital Press. Include a contact telephone number. Oregon’s Bounty: A Celebration of the Harvest Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Date: Saturday, Oct. 8 Place: Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court St. NE, Salem Parking: Free Rain or shine. Schedule All day: Booths, activities, tractor display, Claudia the Chinook Salmon display Letters to the Editor: Send your comments on agriculture-related public issues to opinions@capitalpress.com, or mail your letter to “Opinion,” c/o Capital Press. Letters should be limited to 300 words. Deadline: Noon Monday. Capital Press ag media 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Face painting 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Roundhouse Band 11-11:30 a.m.: Cherry City Cloggers 1-1:30 p.m.: Independence Wagon Wheelers Square Dancers 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 pm: Capitol building tours 11 a.m., noon & 1 p.m.: Tower tours (weather permitting; 50-guest limit) More info: www.oregoncapitol.com; Oregon State Capitol Visitor Services Department, 503-986-1388 www.capitalpress.com www.FarmSeller.com www.AgDirectoryWest.com marketplace.capitalpress.com www.facebook.com/capitalpress www.facebook.com/farmseller www.facebook.com/onlyAGdotcom twitter.com/capitalpress www.youtube.com/capitalpressvideo www.blogriculture.com Index Calendar Sponsored by: To submit an event go to the Community Events calendar on the home page of our website at www. capitalpress.com and click on “Submit an Event.” . Sunday, Oct. 2 17th Annual Salt Spring Island Ap- ple Festival, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Over 450 varieties of apples are grown. Fulford Hall, Salt Spring Island, B.C., Canada. http://bit.ly/2d89dTq Tuesday-Saturday Oct. 4-8 World Dairy Expo, Alliant En- ergy Center, Madison, Wis. world- dairyexpo.com Friday, Oct. 7 Perrydale Corn Feed. 4:30-8 p.m. Perrydale High School, 7445 Perrydale Road, Amity, Ore. The Perrydale FFA corn feed is a fun family community event, a good meal, and a football game. Cost: $25 for a family, $12 couple, $7.50 individual. Friday-Sunday Oct. 7-9 Schafer Meadows Fiber Arts Festival, noon-5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Grays Harbor Coun- ty Fairgrounds Rabbit and Poultry Barn, Elma, Wash. The Alpaca Ranchers of the Northwest will take part. Monday, Oct. 10 Why Save Farmland Discus- sion. 6 p.m. Boise State Uni- versity Jordan Ballroom, 1700 GASES / WELDING / SAFETY / FIRE www.oxarc.com University Drive, Boise. The Treasure Valley Food Coalition is launching this initiative with a series of questions: Why is the time right for preserving farm- land in the Treasure Valley? What is the value of farmland preservation in the Treasure Valley (economic, cultural, en- vironmental)? Who is already working on farmland preser- vation in the TV? How can we work together moving forward? www.treasurevalleyfoodcoali- tion.org Tuesday, Oct. 11 Why Save Farmland Dis- cussion. 6 p.m. College of Ida- ho’s Langroise Auditorium, 2112 Cleveland Blvd., Caldwell, Idaho. This is the second forum. 20 Northwest Locations Saturday-Sunday Oct. 15-16 All About Fruit Show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Clackamas County Fairplex, Canby, Ore. An opportunity to taste hundreds of pears, apples, kiwis and grapes and order a cus- tom-grafted tree. Speakers will an- swer questions and an ID Team will identify “mystery” apples. http://bit. ly/2dq5lN6 Gorge Fruit and Craft Fair. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Hood River Coun- ty Fairgrounds, 3020 Wy’east Road, Odell, Ore. www.hoodriv- erfair.org Wednesday-Saturday Oct. 19-22 2016 National FFA Convention and Expo. Bankers Life Field House 1-800-765-9055 and Indiana Convention Center, In- dianapolis, Indiana. www.ffa.org Friday-Saturday Oct. 21-22 Montana Farmers Union Con- vention, Best Western Heritage Inn, Great Falls, Montana. montana- farmersunion.com Saturday, Oct. 22 Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom 16th Annual Fall Har- vest Dinner and Fundraiser, 5 p.m. CH2M Hill Alumni Center, Oregon State University, 725 SW 26th St., Corvallis. The social hour and silent auction start at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 and the oral auction at 7:45. or- egonaitc.org/ California ................................ 9 Dairy .................................... 14 Idaho ...................................... 8 Livestock ............................. 14 Markets ............................... 13 Opinion .................................. 6 Oregon .................................11 Washington ......................... 10 Correction policy Accuracy is important to Capital Press staff and to our readers. If you see a misstatement, omission or factual error in a headline, story or photo caption, please call the Capital Press news department at 503-364-4431, or send email to newsroom@capitalpress.com. We want to publish corrections to set the record straight.
