Ralph Fisher, Veteran Ag
Expert, to Work With NAT
PORTLAND, OR,
Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -
Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. (NAT) (OTCBB: NADVF) (TSXV:
NAT), which produces and markets CRAiLAR®, a natural fiber made
from flax and other bast fibers, announced today it has secured the
services of Ralph Fisher, located in
Salem, Ore., as a regional
agronomic advisor to the company. In this capacity, Fisher will
work with NAT to help contract planted acres of flax in
Oregon. He will also work closely
with NAT and Oregon State University
(OSU) to evaluate strains, growth cycles and techniques that ensure
the greatest yields in the region. Fisher, who obtained his B.S. in
Crop Science from OSU in 1978, begins his work with the company
immediately, with a focus on the 2012 and 2013 growing seasons.
"The demand for CRAiLAR Flax fiber has been established through
our partnerships with Hanes, Levi's, Carhartt, Target, and other
global brands," said Jay Nalbach,
Chief Marketing Officer of NAT. "Oregon's history in the flax industry,
combined with the presence of our U.S. operations in Portland, made it a logical choice to explore
the Willamette Valley as our second major growing region. As we
did, Ralph's name came up at every single meeting, often multiple
times. Once we met in person and worked on a few projects together,
this decision was very easy to make."
NAT began exploring flax growing in the region in September 2011. This was shortly followed by an
introduction to the Oregon Rye Grass Seed Growers Commission, the
Oregon Seed Growers League, and others representing the fourth
largest export, grass seed, from the state. A native Oregonian and
30-year veteran of the grass seed industry, Fisher has a long
history of involvement in governance and economic development in
the region, including past chairmanships of both the Oregon Seed
Council and the Oregon Seed Growers League.
"I was originally attracted to the story of NAT's CRAiLAR Flax
fiber based on its ability to be worked into a grower's calendar
year as a rotation crop," said Fisher. "Risk management is a
critical need in the Willamette Valley, and one that I have taken a
great deal of interest in, but NAT brings a lot more to the table
than that. Both the partner brands that have helped them establish
demand, and the terms of their grower contracts, which are
exceptional, make this one of the most promising new opportunities
the region has seen in years."
Fisher has been in the Oregon
agricultural industry his entire career. His own farming experience
includes fine fescue, perennial rye grass, bent grass and
livestock. In addition to grower contracts, he will help to
evaluate crop diversity, productivity and sustainability.
About Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc.
Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. develops renewable and
environmentally sustainable biomass resources from flax, hemp and
other bast fibers. The Company, through its wholly owned
subsidiary, CRAiLAR® Fiber Technologies Inc., has developed
proprietary technologies for production of bast fibers, cellulose
pulp, and their resulting by-products in collaboration with
Canada's National Research Council. CRAiLAR technology
offers cost-effective and environmentally sustainable processing
and production of natural, bast fibers resulting in increased
performance characteristics for use in textile, industrial, energy,
medical and composite material applications. The Company was
founded in 1998 as a provider of environmentally friendly, socially
responsible clothing. For more information, visit
www.naturallyadvanced.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation
Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the
TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statement DisclaimerThis news
release includes certain statements that may be deemed
"forward-looking statements". All statements in this news release,
other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements or information are subject
to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual
events or results to differ from those reflected in the
forward-looking statements or information and including, without
limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to: any market
interruptions that may delay the trading of the Company's shares,
technological and operational challenges, needs for additional
capital, changes in consumer preferences, market acceptance and
technological changes, dependence on manufacturing and material
supplies providers, international operations, competition,
regulatory restrictions and the loss of key employees. In addition,
the Company's business and operations are subject to the risks set
forth in the Company's most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and other
SEC filings which are available through EDGAR at
www.sec.gov. These are among the primary risks we foresee
at the present time. The Company assumes no obligation to update
the forward-looking statements.
SOURCE Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc.