Tredway White Inc., a newly licensed industrial hemp fiber processor, has partnered with Hendrix Hemp LLC and its CEO and Founder, Josh Hendrix, for the research and development of hemp for fiber in Kentucky. Hendrix Hemp is conducting an industrial hemp pilot project under a memorandum of understanding with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.
“This partnership… will yield valuable information that will help position Kentucky to be first in line when the last legal restrictions to industrial hemp production are eliminated,” said State Agriculture Commissioner James Comer.
The Hendrix Hemp project, covering 2.5 acres is among those being conducted by 121 Kentucky farmers this year, the second year of the state’s hemp pilot program. Those farmers were selected to grow a total of 1,740 acres of the crop.
Tredway White planted its first industrial hemp at Mayflower Farm, a Hendrix family farm in Mount Sterling, Ky., east of Lexington, earlier this month, Hendrix said. The research will cover such things as soil preparation, and planting, cultivating and harvesting techniques for the crop throughout the growing season. Hendrix Hemp will also consult Tredway White on processing, product development, business development, and strategic growth strategies for the fiber market.
Treadway White was founded by Tatianna Gildersleeve, who serves as the company’s CEO, and has experience in textiles research. She formerly worked in the fashion industry as a celebrity stylist and editor at such publications as InStyle, People, Suede, WWD Ultimate Accessories Guide and Footwear News.
