Kenaf Farmers Map

Kenaf Farmers Map

August 2021 

Kenaf-Investors

   Kenaf-Investors having the foresight to see the potential of kenaf, interested in low risks or have an appetite for high risk can get involved now. In the past with over 170 grow operations with kenaf seed/fiber/wood testing of 39 varieties in the U.S. and 20 grow operations in 11 countries, we have sold out all our supplies of seed time after time.

   It is time to get smart about this and provide seed supply in the US that continues to increase substantially to meet demands on scale.

   Kenaf a renewable resource is not locked into limited locations and is not regulated in any state except for 1 and parts of 3 adjacently located states, which opens the door to creative options, for kenaf-investors.

   Kenaf Partners USA has set out to provide proven kenaf seed varieties that can be harvested for seed/fiber/wood in any U.S. state. We are seeing returns i.e. plant one seed and get 100 or more seeds at the end of the season and 4-5 times more wood material per acre than a forest, plus tons of fiber per acre with unique properties for existing and new markets.

   Our past seed customers and researchers have grown kenaf in over 27 U.S. states and the time has come to take this initial effort to the next stage and follow up with the stages to ensure success for each of our kenaf partners in the entire supply chain. 

   While our seed supply increases each year the inevitable need for processing centers, and other stakeholders in the supply chain, demands that we act now and be prepared when needed. This strategy only works when visionaries, kenaf-investors, farmers, entrepreneur and manufacturers  come together to make things happen in a mutually beneficial manner.

   In order to do my part, I need to walk the talk to find out exactly what the successful actions are so they can be passed on to others. Working with experienced experts and specialists in each step from beginning to end and combining this package of knowledge and experience, with business practices based on statistics, we can discover the successful guidelines to work with throughout the U.S. Transparency provided to investors who see the results week to week based on the statistics in our organizations structure, can see we adapt and become effective in keeping the ball rolling in the right direction.

   The final result will be a business model (Stage 5 Business Model Plug and Play) with a basic foundation made up of vital components and then customized based on location and local markets and/or supply demands.

   This is about impact investing and 7 first principles. The seven principles of regenerative impact investing are a framework for investors to align their practices with the principles of regeneration, relationship, place, participation, potential, practice, and wholeness. These principles guide investors in making decisions that support the restoration and revitalization of living systems, fostering a more sustainable and equitable future.

Market Innovation

   The following stages cover aspects of all 4 parts of the above chart of innovation for investors. Full article explaining this from one of the experts at Idea Drop.

Kenaf-Investors Stage 1
 Market Feasibility Study

   Market feasibility studies should include a description of the industry, current market analysis, competition, anticipated future market potential, potential sources of revenue, and sales projections.

    Preliminary steps to feasibility markets and available resources have been looked into and warrant further consideration after detailed investigation is completed in Stage 1 for kenaf-investors.

   Conclusions (excerpt from Potential Utilization of Kenaf Biomass in Different Applications N. Saba, M. T. Paridah, M. Jawaid, K. Abdan and N. A. Ibrahim) Full pdf Report
    The crop has instigated to fascinate much interest and attention in the last decade, attributed to the growing concerns of global warming and the rising price of petroleum-based products. Kenaf, regarded as the fiber crop of the twenty-first century, is a renewable and sustainable alternative with a short gestation period of only 4 months, is exploding commercially for industrial products. The manifold beneficial components (e.g., stalks, leaves, seeds, fibers and fiber strands, oils, allelopathic chemicals, and proteins) of kenaf core are well established. Kenaf matures only within 5 months, is eco-friendly, tolerant of environmental and drought stress, making it a versatile encouraging and economic crop for industrial applications in the upcoming years. The commercial and profitable achievement of kenaf crop reflects prospective economic and environmental benefits in the different sectors of lethal toxic waste cleanup, removal of oil spills from water, and soil remediation. Besides these, successful efforts are also made towards the amounts of chemical and energy used in soil erosion due to wind and water and in paper production. Moreover, the potential of replacing synthetic polymers to reduced use of fiberglass, greater recycled paper quality, and timber in industrial products, along with the increased use of recycled plastics, are its additional applications. The versatile and diverse applications of kenaf plants and their different portions in varied sectors require a superior considerate of its components and the various issues influencing the plant composition. The activities of several isolated and private industries amplified by agrarian research and studies endured to offer a different variety of innovative kenaf products. These are used to encourage in highlighting the flourishing and bright future for the persistent extension of kenaf as a commercially profitable industrial crop.

Why Look for Kenaf-Investors 
To Invest in Northern Michigan

   Simply put - local markets, business visitors from all over the world and local resources are one set of reasons why kenaf-investors should look at investing in northern Michigan. 

Markets: The Largest Particle Board Manufacturer in the World just 70 miles from proposed area.

Automobile Industry Conference Visitors see below just 2 miles from proposed area.

Resources: Hydrated Lime and Slaked Lime used in kenafcrete blocks, walls,sprayed insulation and plaster sealer. Just 35 miles from proposed area.

Michigan is the largest plastic manufacturing state in the US. We can now process the fibers into a powder as a replacement stock for this industry. Our partner in central Michigan can produce powders as small as 50 microns (cosmetic grade) and larger. A small plastic manufacturer in Michigan requires 1 million pounds of powder delivered each month. We are preparing to meet this demand and working with our investor to finance 50 processing centers in the US as a result.

What city has the world's largest limestone quarry?

Rogers City Michigan Limestone and Chemical Company (a.k.a. "Michigan Limestone") operates the world's largest limestone quarry located near Rogers City, Michigan.

   Thousands of acres available to grow kenaf locally.

   People from all over the world come here and is just 2 miles from Kenaf Partners USA in Onaway, Michigan. Onaway is an Ojibwa Indian cry meaning 'Alert' or 'Awaken'. This town grew during the lumber era and was incorporated as a village in 1899, and as a city in 1903. ... Onaway today has retained its small town atmosphere, with the local economy supported by several small manufacturing facilities and tourism.

Continuing the Tradition
"Steering the World"

Stage 1 Funding

Update! 20 April 2021 - We have the markets and the analysis completed through the efforts of our partners and stakeholders for Michigan.

   Here are some additional market reports and funding resources for kenaf-investors. $5 Billion

   Kenaf Markets a global perspective for kenaf-investors.

 I have done my research and spent hours on the phone. It is time to hit the road and meet the experts and see all of it in action. This is where the details for design and current market analysis, competition, anticipated future market potential, potential sources of revenue, and sales projections will be determined.

   This stage will require an estimated $125,000 for 2 individuals. Targeted surveys by state and markets, travel expenses to equpment manufacturers and equipment operation facilities to evaluate and see and get details needed for our business model. Manufacturers in Canada, Nova Scotia and Australia. Operating facilities in the U.S. Kenaf farmers in the U.S.

   Meeting with impact investors, existing markets, discovering market positioning trends and attending and presenting at farmer themed trade shows will be key factors in determining and creating the demand for kenaf. Mother Earth News, Acres USA, Soil Institute, Hempitecture, The Hemp Chat, Impact Investors Summit and Ethical Corp and B-Corp Conferences in the U.S. are some in our current lineup for this. 

   The bottom line is we want to know before we go and lower the risks in a fast changing world. Covering in detail each of the areas in startup failure is the goal of Stage 1 funding. See statistical graph below on startup failures.

   Taking an idea and pre-testing it in the real world with the correct estimation of effort for implementation and kenaf-investor funding of additional stages of developement, make up the successful ingredients for a stable foundation for this business model.

   Getting all the information and our questions answered in detail during Stage 1 reduces risks of failure and each point in the above list of reasons and more will be covered during this stage.

Kenaf-Investors Stage 2
Business Model Design

Update 20 April 2021! Testing and fine tuning the processes, hiring and training, additional site determinations etc. are the focus this year, so we have a working model to use as a guide for the additional 50 centers in the US. Substantial increase in seed production is also in progress for 2021.

   Based on the results from the completed Feasibility Market Study (Stage 1) and the details acquired at manufacturers and delivery facilities for required equipment etc., a Business Model Design is the next logical step.

   Although I have a Business Model Design in mind, parts may be added or taken away according to detailed discoveries in Stage 1.

   For the design to begin, strategic site location(s) in or near Onaway, Michigan with architectural designs and permitting costs will need to be determined. Once all the blueprints for the design are complete and the blueprints approved, full costing of construction and completion time will be calculated for implementation Stage 3. This is the strategic path timeline.

   Completing construction projects on time and under budget is one of my claims to fame. Because of this I averaged 4-6 new jobs for everyone I completed.

   This is the budgeting stage for Stage 3 funding and I will cover the costs of this.

Kenaf-Investors Stage 3
Business Model Implementation

   Once Stage 2 is complete full funding for the costs of construction, planting proven varieties of kenaf and bamboo and personnel needed for the launch for all channels of operation, harvesting, processing, PR, Marketing, training and Sales will be acquired and begun and completed according to the strategic path timeline. 

   Outside investors will be needed at this stage and a final figure for the implementation and infrastructure will be posted once stage 2 is complete.

Kenaf-Investors Stage 4
Business Model Operation and Review

   Projected sales and profit will be tracked by actual statistics and re-evaluated for accuracy and for any warranted changes for the benefit of staff,customers and kenaf-investors. Of course our environment will also be kept in mind and addressed in an optimum manner.

   Review on a weekly basis by statistics and what has caused the statistics to go up or down, will make it possible to fine tune our operations towards an ideal scene for staff, customers and our investors. What we discover through this process as consistently improving statistics will be documented and utilized for trianing as we grow this business.

    Operational costs will need to be funded at this stage and until enough traction is made to sustain operations from multiple income streams. ROI for Stage 1,3 and 4 once our profit stage kicks in begins.

Kenaf-Investors Stage 5
Business Model Plug and Play

   While continuing to grow our Model Business in Onaway, Michigan our proven successful actions will be ready for additional business startups in other U.S. locations. 

Kenaf-Investors Pitch

Meet The Kenaf Partners USA 
Original Investor

   Bob Lawrason the founder of Kenaf Partners USA is its' original kenaf-investor. With thousands of hours and thousands of dollars invested since 2016 in a vision and opportunity to help farmers, environments, entrepreneurs, other kenaf-investors, teachers and artists, it is time to share this investment opportunity.

   Taking it to the next level is a team activity and a variety of partners are needed to do so. But the question is "Does Bob have what it takes to do so"? I have asked myself that question too! 

   Based on my experience and excellent results in my past, I do have what it takes to get it done, even if it is slightly impossible.

   The second question that comes to my mind is "Will I be around long enough to see it through"? I'll be 69 in 2020 and although I hate to admit it, I have to be honest and say I cannot do all the physical things the way I used to. I can still put in the long hours everyday and will need others to teach and do the physical work to pull this off.

   Finding willing and able individuals with a passion to carry out the activity needed to pull this off, is required through Stages 1- 5 along with the infrastructure and operating expenses. 

Kenaf and Citrus Research Invitation

    Picture this: a mature orange tree that everyone has given up on — leaves gone, bark dry, standing in a Florida field like a monument to hard times. Now picture someone laying chopped kenaf stalks around its base, stepping back, and watching something remarkable happen. In a South American country, that's exactly what occurred. A seemingly dead orange tree, surrounded by kenaf biomass, began to come back to life in a surprisingly short period of time. New growth. New color. New hope. That single observation is the spark behind an exciting and visionary **Kenaf and Citrus Research** initiative that could change the future of Florida's citrus industry — and we want you to be part of it.

   Florida's citrus industry is hurting — there's no sugarcoating it. Over the last two years alone, the industry has suffered losses of approximately **$2 billion USD**. That's not just a number on a spreadsheet. That's family farms, generational livelihoods, and entire communities built around orange groves that once made Florida the citrus capital of the world. Drive through parts of central and south Florida today and you'll see abandoned orchards — rows of struggling or dead trees, land sitting idle, and people wondering what comes next. But here's the good news: we don't believe that land is finished. We believe it's waiting for the right solution. And that solution may already be growing in fields not far away.

   So what exactly is kenaf, and why should you care? Kenaf (*Hibiscus cannabinus*) is a tall, fast-growing plant related to cotton and okra that can shoot up to 14 feet in just about 150 days. It's been cultivated for thousands of years and has over **25,000 documented uses** — from textiles and paper to animal bedding, building materials, and even wastewater treatment. **Kenaf fiber**, found in the plant's outer bark, is strong, versatile, and increasingly in demand. **Kenaf hurd**, the absorbent woody inner core, has shown remarkable potential in soil remediation and water filtration. Think of kenaf as nature's Swiss Army knife — incredibly useful, surprisingly tough, and ready to work hard wherever you plant it.

   So, what happens next? The research plan is ready. The university partnerships are being formed. The cooperative is organized. The USDA seed protection program is on the calendar. The wastewater treatment plant connections are being made. What's needed now is *you* — your curiosity, your expertise, your land, your investment, your enthusiasm, or simply your willingness to ask *what if?* Whether you're a college professor who sees the potential for student research, a landowner with acres of idle citrus land, a city official looking for smarter water management, an investor seeking meaningful returns, a student ready to build a career that matters, or a media professional looking for a story worth telling — there is a place for you in this project. The door is open, the welcome mat is out, and the kenaf is ready to grow.

   We warmly and enthusiastically invite you to reach out directly to the **Founder and CEO of Kenaf Partners USA** to have a real, friendly conversation about your interests, your questions, and your potential role in this exciting **Kenaf and Citrus Research** initiative. Whether you're drawn to the science, the business opportunity, the student research possibilities, the wastewater treatment applications, or simply the inspiring idea of watching a struggling tree come back to life — every question is a good question, and every conversation could be the beginning of something extraordinary. This is low risk, full of opportunity, and built to create regenerative results that last for generations. Don't wait to be part of something this good. Reach out today — the future of Florida's citrus country, its soil, its water, and its communities may very well grow from the seeds we plant together.

   Now let's talk about **college staff and students** — because this is where the energy of this project really comes alive. We are actively reaching out to Florida universities and colleges, including **Hillsborough Community College**, to invite them in as true research partners. Imagine what this means for students: real-world, hands-on research in agriculture, environmental science, biology, chemistry, business, and more. This isn't a classroom simulation — it's actual field research with real stakes, real data, and outcomes that matter to real people and real communities. For college staff, the chance to lead or contribute to groundbreaking work that helps farmers, students, and communities is exactly the kind of meaningful, career-defining opportunity that doesn't come along every day.

   For students specifically, let's talk about **Regenerative Careers** — because that's exactly what this project opens the door to. The kenaf industry is growing fast. The regenerative agriculture movement is expanding. Water treatment innovation is one of the hottest areas in environmental science right now. Students who get involved in this **Kenaf and Citrus Research** project at the ground floor aren't just completing a research assignment — they're building expertise, making industry connections, and positioning themselves for careers that will be needed and valued for decades to come. Whether your passion is soil science, environmental engineering, business development, or agricultural innovation, there is a meaningful role for you in this project. And the best part? You get to help people while you build your future.

   Here's the core idea behind this **Kenaf and Citrus Research** project, and it's beautifully simple. We want to plant kenaf between the rows of abandoned and unproductive citrus orchards in Florida. As the kenaf grows, its root system works to break up compacted soil, restore organic matter, and — based on solid previous research — actively **remediate the soil**, even in cases where heavy metals and toxins are present. When the kenaf stalks are harvested and chopped, that biomass gets laid around the base of the citrus trees, just like it was done in South America. The potential result? Revived trees, healthier soil, and a brand-new income stream for landowners who thought their best days were behind them. Low risk. High potential. Real results.

   Previous research has already shown us that kenaf is a serious soil healer. Studies have demonstrated kenaf's ability to pull heavy metals and toxins from contaminated soils through a process called phytoremediation — essentially, the plant cleans the ground as it grows. On top of that, kenaf improves soil structure, boosts microbial activity, and increases organic matter content. For citrus orchards damaged by years of disease, chemical treatments, and neglect, this kind of natural soil restoration isn't just helpful — it could be the turning point that brings those trees back to productive life. This is **research for rural, suburban and urban** communities alike, and the science behind it is genuinely encouraging.

Wastewater Treatment

   Let's zoom in on the **wastewater treatment** connection, because it's one of the most exciting and practical parts of this whole plan. Research has shown that **kenaf hurd** — that absorbent inner core of the kenaf stalk — has real potential as a natural filtration and treatment material in wastewater systems. For treatment plant managers, this is a big deal. Right now, many facilities rely on expensive, often imported materials to do their job efficiently. Imagine replacing some of those materials with locally grown kenaf — harvested right here in Florida, processed nearby, and delivered fresh at a fraction of the current cost. That's not just environmentally smart; it's a genuinely powerful **Investment Strategy** for facilities looking to improve results, cut costs, and secure a reliable local supply chain.

  

Investors and City Managers

   For **Investors and City Managers**, let's talk about the bigger financial picture. The kenaf industry is organized, growing, and backed by the top leaders in the U.S. kenaf sector who are partners on this very project. This is an inclusive, organized U.S. cooperative — not a speculative startup built on wishful thinking. Starting in 2026, a USDA kenaf seed protection program will take kenaf varieties through successive generations — F1 through F4 stabilization — creating reliable, high-performing seed lines with a protected and already-growing market. Multiple revenue streams include **kenaf fiber** sales, **kenaf hurd** for wastewater treatment, seed sales, and the potential revival of citrus production on previously abandoned land. That combination of diversified income, growing demand, and structured cooperative support makes this one of the most compelling low-risk agricultural investment opportunities available today.

    City governments and water department managers, this paragraph is written just for you. Here's something worth thinking about: your city's primary income source is water supply and wastewater treatment. Anything that makes that system more efficient, more cost-effective, and more reliable directly benefits your budget — and your residents. Locally sourced **kenaf hurd** as a treatment material has the potential to do exactly that. Instead of depending on distant suppliers with unpredictable pricing and availability, imagine sourcing a high-quality, research-backed treatment material from Florida farms just down the road. The **Kenaf and Citrus Research** project is designed to study this connection directly, working with nearby wastewater treatment plants to test and document kenaf's real-world effectiveness. This is **research for rural, suburban and urban** water systems — and the results could benefit communities across the state.

   Here's something that makes kenaf stand out even in a crowded field of alternative crops: its advantages over hemp. Hemp has gotten a lot of attention as a versatile fiber crop, and rightfully so — but it comes with significant regulatory restrictions, especially around cross-pollination with cannabis plants. Kenaf has **no cross-pollination restrictions** whatsoever. It can be grown near hemp without any regulatory problems, and farmers have far more freedom to choose growing locations. In a state like Florida, where land availability and regulatory flexibility are critical factors, kenaf's practical advantages are real and immediate. For investors comparing options, this freedom from restriction is a meaningful differentiator that reduces risk and expands opportunity significantly.

Land Owners of Citrus Groves

   Let's talk about the landowners of citrus groves— because if anyone deserves a reason to feel hopeful right now, it's you. Your land isn't worthless. It's not finished. It's waiting. The idea of planting kenaf between those rows of struggling trees isn't just an experiment — it's a genuine pathway back to profitability. Kenaf grows fast, requires relatively modest inputs, and produces a crop with an expanding market and over 25,000 uses. Even if the citrus trees take time to recover, the kenaf crop itself generates income. And if the trees *do* come back — as that South American example powerfully suggests they might — you've got two income streams instead of one. That's the kind of regenerative result that turns a problem into an opportunity and a burden into an asset.

   The soil story is one that doesn't get told often enough, and it's central to everything this project is trying to accomplish. Healthy soil is the foundation of healthy crops, healthy ecosystems, and healthy communities. Decades of intensive citrus farming, disease pressure, and chemical treatments have left many Florida soils depleted and damaged. Kenaf is a natural soil builder. Its deep root system breaks up hardpan layers, improves drainage, and feeds the beneficial microorganisms that make soil come alive again. When kenaf biomass is returned to the soil — as chopped mulch around tree bases or as compost — it adds organic matter and nutrients that help the entire ecosystem recover. This is regenerative agriculture in its most practical, accessible, and exciting form: using a plant to heal the land so the land can produce again.

Community

   This project is also a story about **community** — and that matters just as much as the science and the economics. The citrus industry isn't just an agricultural sector; it's a cultural identity for Florida. The farms, the families, the towns built around those orange groves — all of it is worth fighting for. The **Kenaf and Citrus Research** initiative is designed from the ground up to benefit rural landowners, suburban communities, and urban residents alike. Farmers get a new crop and a chance to revive their orchards. Communities get cleaner water and stronger local economies. Cities get more efficient and affordable water services. Students get careers. Investors get returns. This is truly **research for rural, suburban and urban** Florida — and the ripple effects of success here could reach far beyond state lines.

Philanthropists and Mission-Driven Investors

   Philanthropists and mission-driven investors, here's your moment. Sometimes the most powerful investments aren't purely about financial returns — they're about legacy. Supporting this project means supporting Florida farmers who are holding on by a thread. It means supporting students who are searching for meaningful, lasting careers. It means supporting communities whose water systems need smarter, more affordable solutions. And yes, it also means supporting a financially sound, well-organized cooperative with a clear roadmap, seed protection programs, university partnerships, and multiple revenue streams. The kenaf industry's expanding market combined with the community impact of this project makes it a rare opportunity to do good *and* do well at the same time. That combination is genuinely worth your attention and your investment.

Media

   Media partners — we're talking to you too, and we genuinely need your voice. The story of a plant that can revive a dying tree, clean contaminated soil, help treat wastewater, and create lasting careers for students is exactly the kind of hopeful, solutions-oriented story that people are hungry for right now. We are actively inviting media partners to follow this project from its earliest stages, documenting the research, the results, and the people whose lives are being changed by it. Transparency is a core value of this initiative. We want the world to see what's happening in these Florida orchards, and we want the story told honestly, enthusiastically, and in a way that inspires other communities, other states, and other countries to ask: *Could we do this here too?

Why Now?

    Let's take a moment to appreciate just how well-timed this initiative really is. The kenaf industry is at an inflection point — demand is rising, awareness is growing, and the infrastructure to support a serious national market is being built right now by the top leaders in the U.S. kenaf sector. The USDA seed protection program launching in 2026 will create stable, reliable seed lines that farmers and researchers can count on year after year. The cooperative structure ensures that everyone involved — farmers, researchers, students, investors, city officials — has a stake in the outcome and a voice in the direction. Getting involved now, at this early and formative stage, is the kind of ground-floor opportunity that people look back on years later and say, *I'm glad I said yes when I had the chance.

Just a Thought?

   Here's a thought that ties everything together beautifully. What if the solution to Florida's citrus crisis was never going to come from a laboratory or a government program alone — but from the soil itself, guided by a plant that humans have relied on for thousands of years? Kenaf doesn't need to be invented. It doesn't need to be engineered. It just needs to be planted, tended, harvested, and understood. The **Kenaf and Citrus Research** project is about doing exactly that — with scientific rigor, community partnership, and genuine enthusiasm for what's possible. It's about giving the land a second chance, giving farmers a second chance, and giving students a first chance at careers that truly matter. That's a vision worth getting behind.

The Cooperative and Regenerative Model

   The cooperative model at the heart of this project is worth highlighting because it's one of the things that makes this initiative truly unique and genuinely trustworthy. This is not a top-down corporate venture where a handful of people at the top benefit while everyone else does the work. This is an **inclusive organized U.S. cooperative** where farmers, researchers, students, investors, city officials, and community members all have a real stake in the outcome. The top leaders in the U.S. kenaf industry have come together around this project specifically because they believe that collaborative, community-centered approaches build the most durable and meaningful results. Everyone brings something to the table. Everyone benefits from the results. That's not just good ethics — it's good business.

   When you step back and look at the full picture — the South American tree that came back to life, the $2 billion in citrus losses, the abandoned Florida orchards, the growing demand for **kenaf fiber** and **kenaf hurd**, the wastewater treatment potential, the student career opportunities, the investor upside, and the community benefits — what you see is something genuinely rare: a single, well-organized research initiative that addresses multiple serious problems at once, with low risk, lots of opportunity, and regenerative results built right into its design. This truly is, as one visionary in this space put it, *the beginning of what I can envision as a workable foundation to long-term stability in an ever-changing world.* And that foundation starts right here, right now, in the orchards of Florida.

Email Bob or call 727-831-5778

Announcement

   Yields per acre are determined by several factors, and yield estimates are based on what we have experienced so far throughout the US with our Whitten kenaf seed a MediumMaturingKenafSeed.

    12-15 tons / acre with 60% wood core and 40% fiber. These are estimated dry weights.

 Whitten kenaf seeds can be ordered now for the 2027 US growing season.

    If you are ready to order Whitten kenaf seeds now, click on the link below or call 727-831-5778

Whitten Kenaf Seeds 2000 pounds

Order deadline for the 2027 growing season is 31 July 2026 or until sold out.