November 16th, 2023Hemp Hub for Macedon Ranges

Hemp is an often maligned and misunderstood crop. Although it has been used by civilisations for
thousands of years, it became mixed up in the banning of cannabis by the Americans in the 1930s.
It’s because hemp and marijuana share the same botanical name, Cannabis sativa, L. (a mistake by
an English botanist in the 1800s). But Hemp has none of the psychoactive properties contained in marijuana. Hemp is used in a multitude of products ranging from highly absorptive animal bedding to building products to food and textiles.
Since 1999, Lyn Stephenson has been advocating for the wider development of the hemp industry.
She moved from Prahran in Melbourne to the Macedon Ranges for the sole purpose of promoting
the hemp industry. She has experienced many challenges along the way, particularly in relation to
the perception by bureaucrats that hemp is a drug. That is slowly changing, particularly with the
current Victorian State Parliamentary Inquiry reviewing the possibilities for the hemp industry and
assessing ways to support the industry. Lyn commends this action and eagerly awaits the issue of the
final report of the Inquiry at the end of this month.
Overcoming other bureaucratic hurdles, Lyn now holds events on her farm at Lauriston. Her purpose
remains – educating consumers about the possibilities for hemp so that market demand increases
and farmers have a viable market to grow it. Being a sustainable crop, ideal for rotation, hemp helps
with carbon sequestration and bioremediation of soil. Lyn is founder and current President of

Regenerative Hemp Victoria, Inc. and she sits on the Australian Hemp Council.
At Bunjil Farm, Lyn’s aim is to create a hemp “hub” in the Macedon Ranges. A farm day is being held
on Sunday, 19 November 2023 to celebrate hemp in all its forms. Local band, The Amazing Valentinos, will be playing. A coffee van with hemp snacks will be available and the famous Rotary Club of Kyneton sausage sizzle will be there. Echuca man, David Brian from Southern Hemp, will be demonstrating how hemp is used in building; Patricia from Lilac Moon Trentham will be demonstrating tai chi and encouraging participation; and Cheryl from Macedon Ranges Massage will be providing neck massages. Tickets are through Trybooking online.