Coushatta businessman Brian Bolyer is exploring getting into the growing and processing of Industrial Hemp. Hemp was grown widely in the US during World War II for use in the war effort. Growth rapidly declined after the war.
Bolyer stressed to The Journal the need for public education about the benefits of hemp and it’s many uses. Bolyer said it is a “new rage” in beauty and other products. This is in addition to uses in paper production, clothing and textiles.
In Louisiana, the first meeting of The Louisiana Industrial Hemp Alliance (LIHA) was held in Baton Rouge, LA on the campus of Southern University on Jan 14th. Listed in the photo from left to right standing are Joseph Lavigne, Arthur Walker, Odis Hill, Winston Brumfield, Versa Clark, Dr. Andra Johnson -SU Ag, Dr R. Calvin Walker -SU Ag. Seated are Rev. Dr. Curtis Willis, Ms. Joyce James, and Dr. Bobby R. Fields – SU Ag. The photo was taken by Mr. D’Andre Lee, SU Ag. Center.
Art Walker of the Alliance told The Journal, “The mission of The Alliance is to inform, educate, train and recruit the people of Louisiana about the benefits of Industrial Hemp. We are aggressively educating Legislator for this year’s session so that they will pass laws that will allow our small farmers and communities benefit from the grow economic revolution that’s occurring around Industrial Hemp.”
Walker confirmed Bolyer recently joined the group, “We are proud to add Mr. Brian Bolyer to our ranks as a new member of the Alliance. Mr. Bolyer is joining an ever increasing number of Louisianans and others that wish to see Louisiana join with the 41 other states that have already begun to allow their farmers and business people reap the economic benefits of Industrial Hemp. Mr. Bolyer, welcome on board.”
Bolyer told The Journal, “With the upcoming reduction of workforce at the Oxbow Mine, there will be a workforce available.” Bolyer said he is formulating plans for the growing and processing of hemp here in the parish.
The Alliance, said Bolyer, “will be working to get the legislature to pass favorable legislation to allow the growth and processing of hemp and hemp products in the state.” Although hemp production is illegal in this state, many hemp products are available on store shelves here in Coushatta. This is the market Bolyer wants to tap into.