Marcus Morley-Jones

As popularity of the crop increases, Ecoversity are in the process of curating industry experts and associates to comprise together the resources necessary to verify the literature surrounding the industry. To cater for this, The Faculty of Industrial Hemp is currently in the process of developing a borderless education and skills training platform referred to as The

Hempology Exchange Master Programme also known as - H.E.M.P Futures. The programme is designed to help reimagine the industry by connecting academics, students and start-ups to unique cross sector opportunities with industry leaders both in the UK and abroad.

Stakeholder and well-versed advocate of the hemp industry, EcoversityUK Chairman Marcus Morley-Jones said: “Hemp is inherently a green foundation industry, and it isn’t necessarily policy that is holding back the sector anymore. For many it is education, training or equipment. Yes, restrictions on policy can be a non-starter for some. However, with the right level of support, rotating hemp could be the turnkey solution most independent farmers are looking for to regeneratively and economically improve overall farm performance and productivity.

Marcus continues: “Hemp is a multi-functional premium cash crop, so “versatility” is a word you will hear a lot when enquiring to grow this plant. What this means for the farmer is that ample amounts of food, fuel & fibre can be harvested in a single rotation – which also functions as a powerful carbon sink and natural soil conditioner. We are seeing the plant reappear increasingly more in our diets, clothing and even in our construction materials. However, most businesses have no option but to import such products as UK farmers struggle to source a viable and scalable processing solution to meet demand. Here is where putting resources into education can help de-risk the supply and value chain, to enable local farmers and businesses to successfully test the crop as part of a local circular economic system.”
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