Front Range Biosciences expands to Wisconsin

LAFAYETTE — Front Range Biosciences Inc., an agricultural biotech company specializing in tissue-culture propagation and breeding of high-value crops such as cannabis and hemp, has signed a lease on for a plant nursery in Wisconsin.

The lease is with Memorial Florists and Greenhouses Inc., and the facility will be used for a hemp nursery in Appleton, Wis. The newly renovated 15,400-square-foot greenhouse is equipped with supplemental lighting and climate control designed for production of high-quality vigorous transplants and seed for hemp growers.

“Wisconsin has a rich agricultural history, and with any new crop, farmers face challenges when attempting to scale in this industry,” Jonathan Vaught, CEO and co-founder of Front Range Biosciences, said in a written statement. “Through this partnership, we will provide the state’s hemp farmers with high-quality hemp genetics, including rooted cuttings from our Clean Stock program and seed to strengthen their supply chain with increased productivity and reduced crop loss.”

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In the 1920s, Wisconsin was considered the largest hemp producer in the nation, but after the plant was outlawed, the state lost this title and a significant source of revenue. In November 2017, Wisconsin legalized industrial hemp and created a pilot program to regulate it. Today, Wisconsin is lauded as one of the fastest-growing states for hemp cultivation.

“MFG is excited to partner with FRB to become the premier source for industrial hemp Clean Stock clones and seed in the Midwest,” said Bob Ayken, president of MFG. “FRB’s commitment to quality, research and the application of advanced agricultural science in this emerging industry will push Wisconsin to become one of the leading industrial hemp producers in the nation.”

FRB now has new hemp varieties available for 2019 spring production in Wisconsin.