Susan Barnhardt

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Industrial Hemp Textiles:  Where Are We And What We Need To Do  

Susan Barnhardt, President and Founder, The SHEMP Yarn Company

THE PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: As the demand and popularity of hemp for use in textiles increases, the need for industrial quantities of consistent quality domestically produced hemp fiber is clear. Success will lead directly to increased demand for both wool and hemp creating revenue streams for both farmers and ranchers and ensure profitability for the entire supply chain form seed to sale. 

I am the Founder and President of The SHEMP Yarn Company Inc.  Over the past 5 years, I have invested  time and research into the path of Industrial Fiber Hemp​ as it relates to hemp/bast fiber blends as a viable component of a sustainable textile industry. Our overall goal is to develop a consistent process to produce a bast fiber blend yarn, SHEMP™, made from the natural fibers of  wool and hemp. This process does not exist currently in the USA.  The resulting process will open the door for bast fiber textile blends and play a part in revitalizing the US Textile industry and bring this new generation of textiles to the forefront.   I am a member of the Textile Exchange, Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals as well as Hemp Associations. My career has spanned over 40o years working with Fortune 500 to bring notable products, Kashi, L'eggs, Kings Hawaiian and more to the marketplace.