SUNY Morrisville news

College invites cannabis growers and producers to a cannabis showcase Aug. 9

SUNY Morrisville is hosting a cannabis growers’ and producers’ showcase Friday, Aug. 9, from 1 to 4 p.m., for those actively involved with or interested in growing or producing cannabis-derived products.

The showcase will include a trade show, field visits, panel sessions, equipment demonstrations and information about the growing cannabis industry in Central New York.

The cost of registration, which is open through Aug. 8, is $15. To register, visit morrisville.edu/cgps.

Showcase agenda 

• 1 p.m. – Registration and refreshments – STUAC Lobby
• 1-1:30 p.m. – Trade show – STUAC Lobby
  • Visit with vendors, review student-applied learning projects and other college activities related to the cannabis and hemp industry.
    • Vendors include JD Farms, Verilife, CNY Hemp
• 1:30-1:40 p.m. – Welcome – STUAC Theater
• 1:40-2 p.m. – Presentation: What is Happening with Cannabis at SUNY Morrisville – STUAC Theater
  • Jennifer Gilbert Jenkins, assistant professor of agricultural science, and Kelly Hennigan, associate professor of horticulture and chair of the Division of Animal & Plant Sciences & Agricultural Business, will discuss curriculum development, current and future research, student involvement and propagation methods.
• 2-2:30 p.m. – Panel discussion regarding the supply chain – STUAC Theater
  • Stephen Halton, president of CNY Hemp Processing
  • Kaelan Castetter, chief executive officer of Castetter Sustainability Group Inc.
    • Staying in compliance with federal and state regulations
    • Telling the story of hemp and why that is important to brands
    • Working with a processor before planting
    • What processors look for in quality standards
• 2:30-2:45 p.m. – Travel to demonstrations via campus shuttle service.
• 2:45-3:15 p.m. – Presentation and question & answer session at SUNY Morrisville’s cannabis research plot on Eaton Street
  • Howard Rice, instructional support assistant, and horticulture students will discuss student applied learning projects on cultivation, including different pruning treatments and their effect on yield in four cultivars of feminized seed and one cultivar of non-feminized seed.
• 3:30-4 p.m. – Demonstration in the Residential Construction Building 

About SUNY Morrisville’s role in the cannabis industry

• After playing a major role in the revitalization of industrial hemp in New York state, SUNY Morrisville rolled out a new minor in cannabis studies, starting this fall, which will prepare students for the rapidly growing medicinal and adult-use cannabis industry.

“There’s considerable demand from hemp companies for the cultivation skills that Morrisville’s students are able to learn as a result of the university’s hemp research,” Jenkins said.

• The curriculum will pave the way for applying scientific methods and peer-reviewed research trials.

“From seed to harvest, whatever it is you want to grow it for, we want to grow it the best,” Hennigan said. “That’s what we teach. And that’s what makes this a perfect fit for us.”

• SUNY Morrisville was the first university to be authorized under New York state’s industrial hemp research program in 2016. The college is currently researching the best methods for cultivating and growing the plant.