What is Camelina?
Camelina Sativa
This wonder plant is a member of the brassica family (along with broccoli, cabbage, and mustard) and is adapted to cooler climates. Camelina has been valued since the neolithic times for its oil production but has only recently “re-emerged” into the limelight. Researchers, farmers, and industry leaders are exploring the use of camelina in nutrition of humans and animals, as a biofuel seed source, and cosmetics. Camelina seed is 35-40% linolenic acid (omega-3) compared to canola (8%) and soy (1%). Additionally, camelina oil contains high amounts of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant.
Growing Camelina
Camelina is easy to grow and thrives in marginal soils. Farmers and scientists are working on innovative inter-cropping strategies to grow camelina amidst a cereal grain crop such as wheat providing additional income per acre without jeopardizing the primary crop yield.
How We Use Camelina
We here at Scratch and Peck just love this plant! Camelina meal is an essential component of our animal feeds to boost protein levels. We are currently working with a group of Western Washington farmers to investigate the potential of growing camelina even more locally.
Additional Resources
Please check out these links for more information on camelina.