Establishing Salvia Hispanica as a Sustainable Crop for Kentucky Farmers

The goal of this research is the further development of chia as a sustainable oil source for edible and renewable chemical applications as well as fiber for food and medicinal applications and high protein meal. This in turn will provide a major new market for farmers. For commercialization of these lines as an ?3 oil in addition to whole seeds we will further screen and select lines for higher oil and ?3 levels. We are establishing a very efficient screen for higher oil chia lines and have found considerable variability for oil content. Thus we will be able to readily develop new higher oil lines. Further work will be done on processing and marketing chia for new commercialization opportunities for KY growers for both food, health and renewable chemical markets. For expanding market opportunities for chia growers we will continue to work with experts in nutrition and medicine and high chia content product