Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast
Lancaster Farming newspaper editors talk to farmers and experts about industrial hemp.
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NoCo 2025: Optimistic Rumors and the Battle for the Soul of the Industry
04/18/2025
NoCo 2025: Optimistic Rumors and the Battle for the Soul of the Industry
The NoCo Hemp Expo wrapped up its eleventh annual event last week in Estes Park, Colorado. The overall mood was optimistic, according to attendees, but there was an undercurrent of uncertainty and angst. The industry stands at a crossroads. Is it too dramatic (or melodramatic) to call it the battle for the soul of the industry? The word hemp means different things to different people, but for over a thousand years, the English word hemp meant one thing: the crop you farm at scale to produce raw materials for industry and food — ropes, sail cloth, paper, animal feed. But now, a quarter way through the 21st Century, the definition of hemp, some would say, has expanded, leading to new opportunities, while others might say the new definition of hemp has been co-opted and pejorative. In this episode of the Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast, host Eric Hurlock (with co-host Sophia Kurzius) gathers insights from 12 industry leaders, farmers, processors, advocates and policy experts to examine the defining issue of our time: the meaning of the word “hemp.” From Joy Beckerman’s impassioned plea to protect the fiber and grain future of hemp, to Chris Fontes’ nuanced defense of the cannabinoid market, this episode captures the friction and common ground shaping hemp’s next chapter. And what's this we hear about executive orders coming soon that will redefine the hemp space even further? Plus, why you can’t tell the story of hemp in America without talking about hemp on tribal land. Hemp is a game changer for Indigenous communities. Hempcrete, for instance, gives the people on reservations almost immediate access to addressing their housing needs in a way that was never available to them. "Hemp is achievable, it’s circular, and the stories I hear from people in Indigenous communities are incredibly inspiring," said host Eric Hurlock. On this episode, you’ll hear from: – Founder of JJGro – Director at Kifcure – Co-founder of the Kentucky Hemp Growers Cooperative – Founder of Complete Hemp Processing – Founder of NoCo Hemp Expo and WAFBA – Principal at Hemp Ace International – Director at Makoce Agriculture Development – Founder of IND HEMP – Publisher of Hemp Build Magazine – CEO of High Spirits Beverages – Chris Fontes is President – President of the Hemp Feed Coalition – COO Andrew Bish – Founder of HempWood Topics Covered in This Episode Confusion over the definition of "hemp" Tension between cannabinoid and industrial sectors Misuse of the word “hemp” for intoxicating products Historical meaning and etymology of the word hemp Short-term profit vs. long-term industry building Cannabinoid products dominating policy conversations Farmer-focused versus consumer-focused markets Executive order rumors and Farm Bill delays Regulatory clarity and safety for consumers Indigenous sovereignty and tribal hemp regulation Shifting public perception through language Need for strong fiber and grain infrastructure Caution about unchecked cannabinoid products GRAS status and feed approval for hemp grain The role of big companies (Ford, Tesla, etc.) in scaling hemp Climate, soil, and sustainability potential of hemp Integrity, transparency, and labeling standards Disagreements within the industry over goals and methods Shared values across hemp sectors despite conflicts The importance of unity and focusing on common ground Joy Beckerman’s public stance against intoxicating derivatives The idea of a regulatory split between floral and industrial hemp Hemp’s potential for rural revitalization Making hemp “boring” again to normalize it as a commodity Thanks to our sponsors: Production and audio engineering by Lancaster Farming Audio Team: Sophia Kurzius, Justin Berger and Eric Hurlock. Music by
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Navigating Uncertainty and Innovation in Hemp with Steve Groff
04/09/2025
Navigating Uncertainty and Innovation in Hemp with Steve Groff
In this episode, regenerative industrial hemp farmer Steve Groff returns for a candid discussion about the current state of hemp farming, innovation and industry challenges in Pennsylvania. Groff shares insights on the unexpected bureaucratic setbacks he's faced, his pragmatic approach to political and economic changes and exciting developments in precision planting technology aimed at revolutionizing hemp and flax cultivation. Despite encountering funding hurdles and project delays, Groff remains optimistic, advocating strongly for unity and honest collaboration within the hemp community. Topics Include: • The impact of political uncertainty and tariffs on hemp and produce farmers • Challenges with labor and government bureaucracy • Innovations in precision planting for fiber quality • The struggle and reality of securing funding • Updates on biochar experimentation • Status of regional hemp processing facilities • Strategies for moving forward amid industry setbacks Groff emphasizes a practical mindset and underscores the need for honest communication and cooperation within the hemp industry to achieve shared goals. Learn More: Thanks to our sponsors: Music courtesy of
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Lost & Found: The Wild Journey of Lewis & Clark’s Herbarium
04/02/2025
Lost & Found: The Wild Journey of Lewis & Clark’s Herbarium
When President Thomas Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on the original American road trip in 1804, there weren’t many roads, so they took boats. Up the Missouri River and into the great unknown. One of their tasks was to collect and catalog detailed information about the natural world as they made their way westward. When the expedition returned in 1806, the American explorers brought with them a collection of over 200 plant samples that Lewis meticulously cataloged and preserved. The Corps of Discovery expedition ended in 1806, but for this collection of plants, the journey continued on. Through a series of accidents, oversights and plain dumb luck, these 222 plant samples ended up on the other side of the Atlantic for many years and were almost destroyed. Now the collection, known as the Lewis and Clark Herbarium, is housed at the Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University in Philadelphia. How it got there and why it took nearly 80 years is the topic of today's episode. We listen to Eric Hurlock’s interview with Dr. Rick McCourt, botanist at the Academy of Natural Sciences and curator of the Herbarium. What You'll Learn • How Lewis & Clark’s plant samples survived over two centuries of mishaps. • The role of Philadelphia as a hub of botanical science in early America. • Details on plant preservation techniques from the early 1800s. • The intriguing story of wild tobacco rediscovered after being presumed extinct. • Future research potential from ancient DNA preserved in plant specimens. Learn More: See P Thanks to our Sponsors Music by
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The Hemp Plastic Company's Paul Benhaim On Why Scalability Matters
03/26/2025
The Hemp Plastic Company's Paul Benhaim On Why Scalability Matters
This week on the Hemp Show, we talk with global hemp expert and co-founder of the Hemp Plastic Company, Paul Benhaim. Benhaim takes us on a deep dive into hemp plastics — and why he believes scalability is more important than purity. We'll hear about the company and the process of turning hemp into objects like didgeridoos and car parts. Benhaim has been in the hemp industry for over 30 years, finding early success with a hemp health bar in Europe in the 1990s before moving to Australia where he founded the largest hemp food company in the Southern Hemisphere. Benhaim tells us about a trip to the Himalayas that inspired his research into communities, health, diet and — hemp. "The science says it's the best thing for humanity and it leads to people being vibrant and healthy," Benhaim says. This experience led Benhaim to write the book "H.E.M.P.: Healthy Eating Made Possible." Benhaim explains the 'endocannabinoids,' and the endocannabinoid system present in every living mammal. “Our body is literally made for cannabis, hence the system being called the endocannabinoid system, which until relatively recently was never taught to doctors, never taught in medicine. An entire system was kind of ignored," says Benhaim. Resources & Links: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ Thanks to our sponsors: ✅ – Family-owned hemp feed, food and fiber company bringing new opportunities to farmers and manufacturers across the U.S. ✅ – Distributors of the KP4 Hemp Cutter Music by Topics covered in this conversation: • Paul’s introduction to hemp and his early “aha” moment • The connection between food, community and vibrant health • Founding of Hemp Foods Australia and Elixinol • The story behind his first book: "H.E.M.P.: Healthy Eating Made Possible" • How hemp led to broader interests in natural living, permaculture and traditional medicine • The endocannabinoid system: What it is and why it matters • Paul's thoughts on full-spectrum CBD vs. isolated compounds • Why he believes CBD is a separate industry from both marijuana and industrial hemp • Challenges with regulation and intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids (like Delta-8, HHC) • Global perspectives on hemp vs. the U.S. approach • Hemp’s historical context and linguistic confusion around the word "hemp" • The scalability problem in hemp and why it's critical to solve • The evolution of hemp plastic and the story behind the hemp harmonica • Paul’s current work with The Hemp Plastic Company • Technical details of making hemp plastic pellets for industrial use • Why end markets matter more than farming alone • Potential for hemp to scale up as a sustainable alternative in global manufacturing • Circular economies and local empowerment in Africa • Hemp opportunities in Thailand and Asia • NIHC and international cooperation in the hemp industry • Paul’s involvement with the U.S. government and COP (climate talks) • Cannabis psychedelics: therapeutic uses and his new project • Meditation, dance and his personal approach to mindfulness • Reflections on the need for a new, cooperative paradigm in hemp and beyond
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Green Buffalo Filmmaker Joel Caldwell and Lower Sioux Hempcrete Builder Danny Desjarlais
03/21/2025
Green Buffalo Filmmaker Joel Caldwell and Lower Sioux Hempcrete Builder Danny Desjarlais
This week on the Hemp Show, we catch up with filmmaker Joel Caldwell and hempcrete builder Danny Desjarlais about the film "Green Buffalo." Coming off of a win for the short documentary category at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, "Green Buffalo" is making waves. Caldwell shares his experience on making the film within the limitations of the short documentary medium and how he was able to capture the resilience of the Lower Sioux in the film. "I had the light turned on as far as this massive solution," he says. "We can create carbon banks and live in healthier homes." Desjarlais explains how his crew is addressing the local housing crisis by rebuilding their community — one hempcrete home at a time. “I came into this as a conventional builder, trying to find the bad in hempcrete, and I keep getting proven wrong," says Desjarlais. Resources & Links: ✅ ✅ Watch the film from Patagonia ✅ , including The Issue with Tissue ✅ ✅ ✅ Watch , a Patagonia film about North Carolina hemp farmer Thanks to our sponsors: ✅ – Family-owned hemp feed, food, and fiber company bringing new opportunities to farmers and manufacturers across the U.S ✅ – Distributors of the KP4 Hemp Cutter. Music by
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The Old Pueblo Hemp Revolution with Micaela Machado
03/12/2025
The Old Pueblo Hemp Revolution with Micaela Machado
This week on the Hemp Show, we head to Tucson, Arizona, where Micaela Machado of Old Pueblo Hemp Co. is leading a hemp-building revolution. She said she hopes “Tucson becomes a hub for natural building and specifically hemp. I think Tucson, Arizona, is right for building, for processing. We have all the right weather and lots of land to do it with.” Machado is a general contractor with a background in sculpture and landscape architecture, and she’s bringing her deep passion for sustainability and natural building to the hemp industry. Her passion is fueled by a drive to provide healthier housing alternatives for people. New houses are often made from hazardous materials that emit dangerous chemicals into the home, she said. “Every night we’re sleeping in these Tupperware airtight toxic containers. And so I think that opens people’s eyes” to natural building materials, she said. We’ll hear how she made the leap from sculpting concrete for zoos and aquariums to pioneering hemp construction in the Southwest. She shares her “aha” moment with hemp and how her work is transforming communities, from feature walls to full-scale commercial projects. Plus, we’ll get the details on the Hemp Building Fiesta, happening March 28-30 in Tucson — a hands-on workshop featuring some of the biggest names in the industry, including Sergiy “Dr. Hemphouse” Kovalenkov, Danny DeJarlais from Lower Sioux, Mary Jane Oatman from the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association and more. Also on the show, host Eric Hurlock gives the show’s new guest host Sophia a crash coarse in building with hemp. Topics Covered: ✅ Micaela’s journey from sculpture to hemp construction ✅ The origins of Old Pueblo Hemp Co. ✅ The unique challenges and opportunities for hemp building in the desert ✅ Tucson’s first permitted hemp construction project ✅ The upcoming Hemp Building Fiesta — who’s coming, what’s happening, and why you should be there ✅ The future of hemp construction in Arizona Links & Resources: Thanks to our sponsors: ✅ – Family-owned hemp feed, food, and fiber company bringing new opportunities to farmers and manufacturers across the U.S. ✅ – Providing educational resources and hands-on workshops for the hemp building community. ✅ – Distributors of the KP4 Hemp Cutter. Music by
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A Global Perspective on Hemp with Morris Beegle
02/28/2025
A Global Perspective on Hemp with Morris Beegle
In this episode of the Lancaster Farming Hemp Podcast, we welcome back Morris Beegle, the founder of NoCo Hemp Expo and a leading advocate in the hemp industry. The conversation spans the globe as Morris shares insights from his recent travels to Africa, Asia, and South America, discussing the growing industrial hemp movement worldwide. From the first-ever Kenya Hemp Conference to a 12-story hempcrete hotel in South Africa, Morris provides a firsthand look at the developing hemp sector in Africa. The 11th annual NoCo Hemp Expo is in Estes Park, Colorado, this April. Morris gives us a preview of what to expect, from expert panels to industry networking opportunities. Plus, we touch on U.S. policy, market access programs, and the challenges facing the industrial hemp sector. Learn More • – April 10-12, 2025, Estes Park, Colorado • – June 11-13, 2025, Berlin, Germany • – A short documentary film on hempcrete housing at the Lower Sioux Indian Community • , Tucson, AZ – March 28-30, 2025 Sponsors , in Fort Benton, Montana , distributors of the KP4 Hemp Cutter Music Courtesy of
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Jeff Kostuik of Verve Seeds Solutions and How Trump's Trade Wars Could Affect Canadian Hemp Seed
02/21/2025
Jeff Kostuik of Verve Seeds Solutions and How Trump's Trade Wars Could Affect Canadian Hemp Seed
On this episode of the Hemp Podcast, we speak with Jeff Kostuik, of , aa Canadian Hemp Seed company based in Saskatchewan. Jeff joins us from the road—literally, from an airport—on his way to North Carolina for a meeting with a hemp processor. We'll hear about Verve Seed Solutions and the new varieties they are bringing to the hemp space this year. We will also talk about Donald Trump's impeding trade wars and what Canadian hemp businesses like Verve are doing to face the new realities. Topics Covered: How Verve Seeds genetics are distributed worldwide Increasing hemp seed yield by up to 190% How U.S. policies are affecting Canadian farmers Navigating strict cannabinoid limits in poultry feeds Why more infrastructure is needed us US Hemp processing Learn more: Thanks to our sponsors: Music by
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Geoff Whaling and the Future of Hemp Under the Trump Administration
02/13/2025
Geoff Whaling and the Future of Hemp Under the Trump Administration
On this episode of the Hemp Podcast, we welcome back Geoff Whaling, chair of the National Hemp Association, for an in-depth discussion on the evolving landscape of the hemp industry under the new administration. We cover the uncertainty surrounding the NHA’s $19.8 million climate-smart grant, the impact of leadership changes in Washington, and the ongoing push for hemp as an approved food and animal feed ingredient. Whaling shares his insights on the Farm Bill negotiations, the role of key officials in the USDA, and why he remains optimistic about hemp’s future despite political shifts. Topics Covered:
The latest on the USDA Climate-Smart grant and its uncertain status
Why Geoff sees opportunities under the new administration
Key takeaways from his recent meetings in Washington, D.C.
The push for federal recognition of hemp as animal feed
How industry members can engage and advocate for hemp policy Learn more: Take the NHA Industry Survey National Hemp Association Congressional Research Service Hemp Update Thanks to our sponsors: Music by
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Hemp Mushroom Coffins and the Future of Sustainable Burial
02/05/2025
Hemp Mushroom Coffins and the Future of Sustainable Burial
On this episode we talk to Max Justice from Setas Mushrooms — the innovator behind MyCoffin, biodegradable coffins made of mycelium and industrial hemp. Justice is the co-founder and CEO of Setas Eternal Living, a company that offers people a sustainable end-of life solution — with aspirations to disrupt the death industry with affordable and sustainable options. For Justice, Setas Eternal Living was logical next step in his fungus journey. He and his wife started Setas Mushrooms on their farm in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, after discovering the healing power of mushrooms during his wife’s illness. Fungus changed their lives forever. In this episode we’ll hear about the process of making coffins from mycelium and hemp and how this product compares to traditional burial vessels. Compared to traditional caskets that will take centuries to breakdown, Justice’s coffin will biodegrade in just a few years, making it a good option for green burial. Learn More: Setas Eternal Living Setas Mushrooms Green Burial Council Watch the WGAL News Video News Nuggets Shapiro Administration Announces Recipients of the Nation’s First Agricultural Innovation Grant The public is encouraged to submit written comments to HHS and USDA related to the Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee to inform the development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030. Unfazed and confused, Sutter County extends ban on industrial hemp despite grower push-back= Thanks to our sponsors: Music Courtesy of
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California’s War on Hemp: Chris Boucher Breaks it Down
01/29/2025
California’s War on Hemp: Chris Boucher Breaks it Down
On this episode we check back in Chris Boucher, who was originally on the program in Boucher is a hemp industry OG. In 1990, he was first introduced to hemp by Jack Herer himself in, author of the book that jumpstarted the hemp movement in America, . In 1994 Boucher was issued a permit from the USDA to grow fiber hemp in California, but his crop was destroyed before harvest by local drug enforcement agents. He was a founding member of the Hemp Industries Association and was part of the landmark case that established the legality of CBD. But these days, Boucher’s hemp endeavor is JuiceTiva, a cold-pressed hemp juice powder rooted in the nutritional potential of hemp leaves and flowers. Boucher shares his opinions of the state of hemp in California, which he says has the worst hemp regulations of any state in the union, citing Governor Newsom’s recent banning of hemp products and the structure of the state and county agriculture departments. He describes a situation in California where the marijuana industry is battling the hemp industry for dominance in the intoxicating cannabinoid arena. Learn more: News Nugget Thanks to our Sponsor IND HEMP and their awesome hemp product brands:
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Lucia Vignale and the Cornell Hemp Webinar Series
01/22/2025
Lucia Vignale and the Cornell Hemp Webinar Series
This week’s guest on the Industrial Hemp podcast is Lucia Vignale, a third-year PhD student at Cornell University, where she studies plant breeding, genetics and pathology. “I’m interested in searching for, mapping, and characterizing new sources of resistance against hemp powdery mildew,” she said. Vignale earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in molecular biologist in her native Uruguay, and in 2022 she came to Larry Smart’s hemp lab at Cornell on a Fullbright scholarship to pursue her PhD. Her passion for hemp is intertwined with her passion for science. There's so much that we don't know about hemp, she said, “so I want to answer questions. I want to solve problems.” She said with other crops like corn, cotton or soy, there is already so much research out there, so much is already known. But hemp, she said, “has been largely unexplored due to legal issues,” and the untapped potential excites her. “There's so many things that we can do and learn from it, and we are seeing that in person now with all the new products and applications that we can get from it, she said. One of her jobs in the Cornell hemp lab this year was to plan and execute the fourth annual hemp webinar series, which starts January 29 and runs biweekly until May 7. This year’s webinar series will focus on hemp grain and will include presentations from hemp grain experts. (see full list below) The webinar series is free but registration is required. Go here to register: 2025 Hemp Webinar Series Schedule January 29: IND Hemp, founding and mission – Morgan Tweet, IND HEMP February 12: Pathogens affecting hemp cultivation – Nicole Gauthier, University of Kentucky February 26: Hemp products as food ingredients – Chadwick White, Nepra Foods, Ltd. March 12: Screening of seed related traits in wide germplasm – Tyler Gordon, USDA-ARS March 26: Novel high oleic acid seed oil trait – Ian Graham, University of York April 9: Hemp seed meal as a feed ingredient in animal diets – Nathalie Trottier, Cornell University April 23: Best agronomic practices – Bob Pearce, University of Kentucky May 7: Hemp products as food ingredients – Kendra Meier, HPS Food & Ingredients Learn More about Cornell Hemp: News Nuggets: 13th Annual International Hemp Building Association Symposium to Be Held at Lower Sioux Indian Community Thanks to our Sponsors!
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Pennsylvania Hemp Farmer Steve Groff Goes to China
12/13/2024
Pennsylvania Hemp Farmer Steve Groff Goes to China
Holtwood, PENNSYLVANIA—On this episode of the Industrial Hemp Podcast, Lancaster Farming visits with Lancaster County hemp farmer Steve Groff to discuss his recent trip to China. Steve shares his observations from visiting China's expansive hemp supply chain, from farms to textile factories. With vivid descriptions and first-hand insights, Steve explains how the Chinese grow, harvest and process industrial hemp at an unparalleled scale. The conversation explores: • The differences between Chinese and American hemp farming practices. • China's advanced textile production, blending hemp with cotton and flax. • The challenges and opportunities of scaling the U.S. hemp industry. • Steve’s key takeaways from China, including what the fledgling American hemp industry can learn from their systems. Thanks to our sponsors! : Revolutionizing hemp harvesting with speed and efficiency. Learn more : Supporting fiber and grain hemp growers in the Mid-Atlantic region. Learn more : A family-owned hemp food, feed, and fiber company in Fort Benton, Montana. Learn more
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One Plant Film Reaches Kickstarter Fundraising Goal. Now What?
12/04/2024
One Plant Film Reaches Kickstarter Fundraising Goal. Now What?
This week on the Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast, host Eric Hurlock speaks with filmmaker Jordan Berger from Sunflower Films in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Berger and his team are creating the documentary One Plant, that tells the story the cannabis plant. Fresh off the success of a Kickstarter campaign that raised over $65,000, Jordan discusses the process of funding, creating, and finishing a film. He provides insight into how the funds will be allocated, including editing, sound design, animation, and licensing music to bring the project to completion. The episode also highlights the challenges and rewards of documenting a growing industry and why this film matters to the hemp community and beyond. In This Episode Kickstarter Success: Learn how One Plant reached its fundraising goal and how additional funds will support production. Film Production Breakdown: Berger explains the technical aspects of filmmaking, from post-production to sound design and animation for educational segments. Behind-the-Scenes Stories: Memorable moments from the two-year filming journey, including interviews with hemp industry leaders and on-the-ground experiences. Impact of the Film: Why One Plant is more than a documentary—it’s a tool to educate, inspire, and drive change in farming, manufacturing, and consumer behavior. What’s Next for One Plant? With editing expected to wrap up by February 2025, One Plant will soon be submitted to major film festivals. While the film’s public release is still months away, the team is planning a premiere event for supporters in the spring. Make a late pledge to the film: Watch the Trailer: Hemp News Nuggets : North Carolina State University receives a $667K investment for studies on harvest timing and environmental impacts on hemp fiber quality. A project in Maine demonstrates hemp’s potential to clean up contaminated soil but highlights challenges in safe disposal of toxic biomass. The state’s hemp industry faces potential new restrictions as lawmakers seek tighter controls on intoxicating hemp products. Thanks to our Sponsors! Forever Green, distributors of the Music by
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In a World of Hemp with Cameron McIntosh
11/27/2024
In a World of Hemp with Cameron McIntosh
In this special Thanksgiving episode, hemp podcast host Eric Hurlock sits down with hempcrete builder Cameron McIntosh of . Fresh off his return from the in France, Cameron shares insights from his whirlwind trip, including a tour of 's world-class processing facility and his participation on a global panel of hemp-building experts. The conversation explores the state of hemp construction globally and at home, covering key events like Greenbuild in Philadelphia and the Lower Sioux Indian Community’s groundbreaking hemp projects in Minnesota. Eric and Cameron also reflect on Pennsylvania’s bipartisan support for hemp and the industry’s bright outlook for 2025. Episode Highlights: The World Hemp Forum: Cameron discusses his time in France, including his tour of La Chanvrière's innovative robotic processing systems and his reflections on French leadership in hempcrete construction. : A behind-the-scenes look at showcasing hemp building materials at one of the largest sustainability events in the U.S., and the unexpected challenges of staying true to green values. A Year in Review: Federal investments, grassroots movements, and key milestones for industrial hemp in 2024, including $75 million in government funding for the industry. Lower Sioux & The Green Buffalo: Highlights from Patagonia’s new short film documenting the Lower Sioux Indian Community’s inspiring work with hemp. Looking Ahead: A hopeful conversation about the growing demand for bio-based materials and the role of hemp in creating healthier, more sustainable communities. Support the Patagonia’s The Green Buffalo Documentary This Thanksgiving, we’re reminded of the resilience, passion, and community that drive the hemp industry forward. Thank you for listening, and travel safely this holiday season. Until next time, see you in the newspaper! Thanks to Our SPONSORS! IND HEMP – A family-owned, mission-driven company providing innovative hemp food, feed, and fiber products to farmers and rural communities. Learn more at . National Hemp Association – Advocating for sensible public policy and building a sustainable future while promoting rural economic development. Learn more at . Music by
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Talking Hemp with Morris Beegle
11/27/2024
Talking Hemp with Morris Beegle
This week we talk hemp with industry leader Morris Beegle. Known for his work with the NoCo Hemp Expo, Let’s Talk Hemp, and other ventures, Morris shares his insights on the year in hemp, global developments, and what lies ahead for the industry. From international travels to Japan, Peru, and Prague to organizing major events in the U.S. and Europe, Morris offers a unique perspective on hemp’s evolving landscape. In this conversation we explore the challenges and opportunities for industrial hemp and linger perhaps a bit too long on the linguistic and regulatory nuances that divide the plant's industrial and chemical uses. Plus, we’ll some hear exciting updates about NoCo Hemp Expo 11 and the . Episode Highlights: • Reflections on hemp industry achievements in 2024 • Global trends: Japan’s strict regulations, South America’s growing opportunities • The evolving political climate’s impact on hemp in the U.S. • Insights into hemp’s dual identity: industrial vs. cannabinoid uses • Upcoming events: NoCo Hemp Expo 11 (April 10–12, 2025) and the Links & Resources: • – Learn more about the world’s largest hemp-centric conference. • L – Morris Beegle’s podcast and media platform. • O – Support the hemp documentary project. • – Stories about women in agriculture, hosted by Candice Wierzbowski and Stephanie Speicher. Listen to their conversation with from Cornell AgriTech and from South Bend Industrial Hemp. Thank you to our sponsors! • – A family-owned company revolutionizing American hemp for food, feed, and fiber. Visit IND Hemp. • – Supporting startups that combat climate change. Learn more. Music by
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Hemp Goes to GreenBuild
11/15/2024
Hemp Goes to GreenBuild
In this episode of the Industrial Hemp Podcast, we take you to the GreenBuild Conference and Expo in Philadelphia, the world’s largest event dedicated to green building and sustainable construction. This annual gathering brings together architects, engineers, builders, and innovators, all focused on creating a more sustainable future for the built environment. Under the banner of The Goodness of Hemp, an inspiring collective of hemp-based businesses showcased their products and vision for the future of construction. From cutting-edge materials to bold collaborations, this episode highlights the voices shaping the intersection of hemp and sustainability. On this episode, you will hear: Katie Gillham – Event Director, Greg Wilson – Tom Rossmossler – Mattie Mead – James Forbes – Pierre Berard – HEMI and Alex Sexsmith – Zach Popp – Amanda Martin-Behrendtsen – Trey Riddle – Mario Machnicki – Indra Fanuzzi – Colyn Stangl-Meddaugh – Listen now to hear how hemp is revolutionizing the construction industry and why GreenBuild is the perfect platform to showcase its potential. Support the O Thanks to our Sponsors Music by
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Montana 2024, Part One: The Goodness of Hemp
11/09/2024
Montana 2024, Part One: The Goodness of Hemp
This is part one of our coverage of the 2024 Montana Hemp Summit, also known as the "Goodness of Hemp" Summit, that took place in Great Falls, Montana, Oct. 15-17. First, please take action now. Help support the campaign. The episode opens with a conversation with Ken Elliott, co-founder of IND HEMP in Montana. Host Eric Hurlock and Ken talk about the recent summit, the introduction of HEMI, and why people in the hemp industry should stop what they’re doing right now and go help throw in on the "One Plant" documentary film . Then you'll hear a series of interviews that Eric conducted with attendees at the summit. By order of appearance: Eduardo Garcia and Dream Farm, Eduardo shares his enthusiasm for hemp as a superfood and sustainable material. His work focuses on educating people about the connection between food, health and environmental sustainability. Cheryl Mitchell A food scientist with in the Grains, Nuts and Seeds Ingredient Manufacturing division, Cheryl specializes in plant-based beverages. She talks about her process for creating nutrient-rich, highly digestible hemp milk and the health potential of hemp as a food source. Erica Campbell Co-founder and partner at , a food systems strategic consulting firm, Erica discusses her work in advancing regenerative agriculture. She highlights her involvement in the films "Kiss the Ground" and "Common Ground" and introduces the campaign to promote sustainable farming practices. Anjli Kumar Founder of , a sustainable textile startup in Atlanta, Georgia, Anjli explains her efforts to establish a U.S.-based farm-to-fabric hemp textile supply chain. She aims to make hemp apparel mainstream by managing each step from decortication to finished fabric. Guy Carpenter Hemp textile expert and founder of , Guy shares his work on creating the Benton shirt, a hemp-cotton blend garment produced entirely in the U.S. He emphasizes the importance of re-establishing American hemp textile production for sustainable clothing options. Steve Groff Regenerative and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, hemp farmer, Steve reflects on the Montana Hemp Summit's networking value. He shares insights from his partnership with Larry Serbin on green decortication research and discusses hemp’s potential in reclaiming saline soils for agriculture. Larry Serbin An collaborating with Steve Groff on green decortication research, Larry appreciates the summit’s role in building connections. His work focuses on advancing hemp processing technology to support a sustainable future for the industry. Jordan Berger and Maxwell Duryea Filmmakers from Sunflower Films, Jordan and Maxwell discuss their documentary "" which highlights hemp’s many applications. They share their excitement about launching a Kickstarter campaign at the summit to fund the film’s completion and bring awareness of hemp to a broader audience. Bob Quinn Organic farmer and founder of , Bob talks about his research with IND HEMP on using hemp to mitigate saline soil in Montana. Known for his work with ancient grains like Kamut, he sees hemp as a key player in regenerative farming. Contact: Questions or comments? Reach out to Eric at Credits: This episode of the Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast is produced by Eric Hurlock. Music by Thank you to our Sponsors:
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National Hemp Associaton Recieves $19.6 Million USDA Climate Smart Grant
10/25/2024
National Hemp Associaton Recieves $19.6 Million USDA Climate Smart Grant
In this special episode of the Industrial Hemp Podcast*, we talk to Erica Stark, executive director of the National Hemp Association (NHA), and Lancaster County regenerative hemp farmer Steve Groff. Together, they break down the exciting news that the USDA has awarded $19.6 million to support a transformative project focused on climate-smart hemp farming in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The project aims to help farmers adopt regenerative practices using industrial hemp, reduce agricultural runoff, and protect the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Erica and Steve discuss how the grant will benefit farmers directly, the challenges of building infrastructure, and how this initiative could boost the hemp industry in Pennsylvania and beyond. Watch the ONE PLANT trailer: Support the ONE PLANT Kickstarter campaign: Thanks to our sponsors MUSIC by TIN BIRD SHADOW
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Exploring Hemp Opportunities in Japan
10/09/2024
Exploring Hemp Opportunities in Japan
This week on the Hemp Podcast, we travel to Japan. Not literally, but vicariously. Our three guests recently attended the inaugural Tokyo International Hemp Conference last month and toured an 8th generation hemp farm and processing facility called Golden Hemp that makes sacred ropes used in Shinto temples. On this episode we will talk to Jean Lotus, Robin Destiche and Patrick Atagi. The trip was organized by the National Industrial Hemp Council of America and was funded by USDA’s Regional Agricultural Promotion Program. Lotus, the publisher of Hemp Build Magazine, was fascinated to learn about the ancient traditions and processing methods that are still in use today, and thinks Japan will embrace hemp building practices. “I really see some opportunities there with hemp building materials just because of the decarbonization,” she said. “The Japanese have really embraced all of the United Nations sustainability goals for construction.” Robin Destiche, a co-founder of American hemp seed company KonopiUS, said he sees the potential for growth, but doesn’t expect it overnight. “Like many things in the hemp industry,” he said, “I can see it maybe in three to five years, but it definitely feels like there’s traction, there’s development.” Patrick Atagi, the president and CEO of the National Industrial Hemp Council, organized the trip in conjunction with the Thailand Industrial Hemp Trade Association. “Our goal is to market and create a market for hemp domestically and globally,” he said. Learn More: October 24-25 News Nuggets Thanks to our Sponsors!
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Pennsylvania Ag Secretary Seeks Knowledge in Montana
10/02/2024
Pennsylvania Ag Secretary Seeks Knowledge in Montana
Secretary Russell Redding made an official Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture trip to Montana this week to meet with founders of IND HEMP, one of the largest hemp fiber and seed processors in the U.S. On this week’s podcast, Lancaster Farming catches up with Redding as he visits the hemp facility in Fort Benton, Montana. The show features a joint interview with Redding and IND HEMP founder Ken Elliott from the IND HEMP office. Redding said he originally planned to attend the Montana Hemp Summit, hosted by IND HEMP, in Great Falls later this month, but had a commitment in Pennsylvania he could not cancel. Wanting to see the oil seed and fiber processing facilities with his own two eyes to better understand what is needed back home in Pennsylvania, he scheduled a last-minute trip to Big Sky Country. The fact-finding trip is part of a larger commitment from his department to develop a robust hemp industry in Pennsylvania, where, so far, the industry has struggled to find capital to build out the processing infrastructure. Redding spent the day with IND HEMP founders Morgan Tweet and Ken and Julie Elliott who answered his questions and gave him a tour of both the oil-seed facility and the fiber-processing facility, housed in separate facilities on IND HEMP’s campus in Fort Benton, a town along the Missouri River in north-central Montana with a population of around 1,400. IND HEMP has created just over 50 jobs since setting up the facility in 2019. Redding is returning home with a new perspective. “I think in Pennsylvania, having something that would look like what is happening here in Montana is exactly what everybody in the steering committee and the hemp engine is trying to do, but it’s not the final answer,” Redding said. “What I’ve learned today is that there’s a quest to just keep building out the marketplace,” he said. “And the economics of that marketplace then determine sort of what those income streams look like for both the company and the farms,” he said. Elliott is optimistic about the Keystone State’s potential in the burgeoning hemp industry, partially because of Pennsylvania’s reputation for hemp in colonial times. He was keynote speaker at the Pennsylvania Hemp Summit in Harrisburg November 2022 and has since gotten to know key players in Pennsylvania’s hemp industry. “We can help you guys take that next step,” he said. “We would love to be part of whatever the solution is for Pennsylvania’s the hemp industry.” Do Pennsylvania farmers even have an appetite for hemp, after the boom and bust of the CBD market along with recent controversies surrounding so-called hemp-derived intoxicants like Delta 8? Redding thinks Pennsylvania have an appetite for something big and boring that can be another revenue stream for producers. “The margins, whether you’re in Montana or Pennsylvania, are thin,” Redding said. “So to whatever extent we can add diversity to it — you can help de-risk the operation by adding an enterprise — that’s universal.” Thanks to our sponsors!
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National Hemp Association Goes to Africa
09/25/2024
National Hemp Association Goes to Africa
On this week’s Hemp Podcast, we talk to Geoff Whaling from the National Hemp Association, who recently returned from a trip to Africa. The trip, funded by a USDA Emerging Markets Program grant, focused on developing hemp exports to Malawi, Rwanda and Ghana. The purpose of the trip, Whaling said, “was to undertake a review and to report back to USDA as to the barriers for exporting American grown hemp products into those three countries.” In Malawi, he met with government officials, including President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, who Whaling said was impressed with the economic potential of hemp in improving food security and creating industry. One of the barriers Whaling found is that hemp is not on the World Food Program and USAID’s ingredients list. That exclusion will hinder the export of hemp-based nutritional products from the U.S. to Africa, Whaling said. Whaling also talks about the Lancaster County Hemp Circuit that took place last month. Whaling was instrumental in bringing Betsy Londrigan, the administrator of USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service, to the event. Whaling said her presence at the circuit signaled USDA’s interest in supporting the hemp industry, with potentially billions of dollars of funding available to the industry through Rural Development programs that Londrigan oversees. Also on this week’s show, we follow up on that white deer Steve Groff saw on his way to the Cornell Hemp Field Day. As you might have guessed, there’s more to the story. A lot more. An Army base. Nuclear warheads. An encampment of protesting women. A fence. A herd of inbred deer. Who knew one white doe would be such a can of worms. Thanks to our Sponsors
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Hemp Fiber & Grain Field Day at Cornell AgriTech
09/18/2024
Hemp Fiber & Grain Field Day at Cornell AgriTech
On the latest episode of the Hemp Podcast, we take the show on the road once more — this time to Cornell University’s Hemp Fiber and Grain Field Day at the Agritech Campus in Geneva, New York. Among the many voices on this episode is Christine Smart, director of , who’s leading groundbreaking work on hemp diseases and crop resilience. Hailee Greene, a recent Cornell MBA grad and founder of , talks about her ambitious plans to establish the first full-scale hemp-processing facility in New York, despite the financial challenges that lie ahead. “We’re a couple million dollars away, which is probably the story of everybody that says they want to do processing at this point,” she said. I also spoke with Maciej Kowalski, a Polish hemp entrepreneur who just wrapped up a trip around the U.S. to learn more about hemp processing. He highlighted the disconnect he sees in the U.S. between farmers and textile manufacturers, stressing that fiber quality must start in the field. “The textile people don’t care about what’s happening in the field, and the cultivators don’t care about what happens afterward. That’s not the way to make a good product,” he said. Shelby Ellison, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is working to collect and preserve feral hemp genetics from across the U.S., preserving the genetic diversity of hemp, which can be used to breed more resilient and adaptive varieties. So far, she and her team have collected more than 1,500 individual plant samples across 14 different states in the U.S. Pennsylvania hempcrete builder Cameron McIntosh talks about the growing interest from federal agencies, including the Department of Energy, in addressing not only operational emissions but also the embodied carbon in construction materials. We also hear from Pennsylvania hemp farmer Steve Groff, who shares a remarkable story about seeing an albino deer on his drive to Geneva. Groff’s white deer might be a good omen for the industry, but it’s definitely a good omen for this episode of the podcast. Thanks to Our Sponsors! Music by
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Seed to Sovereignty: Voices from Lower Sioux
09/11/2024
Seed to Sovereignty: Voices from Lower Sioux
MORTON, Minn. — The celebrated the opening of its new hemp-processing facility with a full day of hemp education and demonstrations on September 5, 2024. This processing plant brings the tribe one step closer to what it calls “Seed to Sovereignty,“ where the tribe creates its own supply chain: growing the hemp to be processed in the facility, where it will be made into hempcrete houses to address the housing crisis on the reservation through agriculture. This week on the Hemp Podcast, we bring you conversations from the Lower Sioux. We’ll hear from Danny Desjarlais, project manager and leader of the building crew; Kristi Shane, Tribal Council treasurer; Robert Larson Jr., hempcrete mixmaster; and the “Earl of Hemp” himself, Earl Pendleton, who for many years has been the tribe’s vision holder for hemp. We’ll also talk to Mary Jane Oatman, executive director of the and a member of the Nez Perce Tribe of the Columbia River Plateau; Rob Pero, founder of and a member of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians; and Nick Hernandez, founder and CEO of in Porcupine, South Dakota, and a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and a citizen of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Plus, Ken Meyer from Complete Hemp Proeccsing and Derrick Dohmann from , North Dakota hempcrete builder , Minnesota inventor Bob Albertson, broadcaster Dan Lemke from the , and more. News Nugget: Thanks to Our Sponsors! Music by
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Lancaster County Hemp Circuit, Part Two
09/04/2024
Lancaster County Hemp Circuit, Part Two
This week's podcast is Part Two of our Lancaster County Hemp Circuit Coverage. Editor's note: Hey there, it's me Eric. I'm traveling this week to Minnesota for the Field Day at the Lower Sioux Indian Reservation, so in order to get the podcast out to you in a timely manner, I gave the transcript of the audio to my ChatGPT buddy and asked for a break down. And that's what the following is: AI-generated text. Thank you for your understanding! -e Here’s a breakdown of the Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast episode titled Lancaster Hemp Circuit, Part Two: Who: Eric Hurlock: Host of the podcast and senior digital editor at Lancaster Farming Newspaper. Fred Strathmeyer: Deputy Secretary of Agriculture for Pennsylvania. Tarit Chatterjee: Director of Operations at Natural Textile Solutions and Bast Lab. Alyssa Collins: Plant pathologist from Penn State. Ron Kander: Professor from Jefferson University. Shawn House: Entrepreneur and founder of Hempzels, a hemp pretzel company. Other speakers: Local hemp experts, machinists like Joe from Joe's Machinery, and hemp advocates like Erica Stark and Cameron McIntosh. And Eric Beezer is running for office. What: The podcast features interviews from the *Lancaster County Hemp Circuit*, where participants discuss the latest developments in hemp production in Pennsylvania. Topics include advancements in industrial hemp, state support, fiber and grain hemp processing, and the potential growth of Pennsylvania as a leader in the hemp industry. Where: The event took place in various locations around Lancaster County, PA, including the Landis Valley Farm Museum and Steve Groff's farm. Participants also mention upcoming events in Minnesota, New York, and New Jersey, which include field days and workshops focused on industrial hemp. Why: The podcast aims to spotlight Pennsylvania’s growing role in the hemp industry. There is a significant push for infrastructure development, processing facilities, and innovative uses of hemp in textiles, construction, and feed. With local and state government support, the goal is to position Pennsylvania as a key player in the national and international hemp markets. This episode highlights the collaborative efforts and future potential for industrial hemp in Pennsylvania, emphasizing the importance of local partnerships, state government involvement, and educational efforts to promote sustainable growth in the hemp sector. Here’s a summary of the news nuggets, calendar items, and sponsors mentioned in the podcast episode: News Nuggets: Volkswagen is developing a biobased leather alternative made from industrial hemp, which could be used in their car interiors starting in 2028. Calendar Items: Lower Sioux Hemp Field Day (September 5, 2024): Eric Hurlock will be attending a field day at the Lower Sioux Indian Community in Morton, Minnesota. The event will feature attendees from around the country and celebrates the opening of the tribes processing facility. in Geneva, NY (September 11-13, 2024): USDA Germplasm Tour (September 11) Fiber and Grain Field Day (September 12) Cannabinoid Field Day (September 13) , NJ (September 20-22, 2024): Hosted by Right Coast Hemp, featuring a hempcrete building workshop. Sponsors: IND Hemp (Fort Benton, Montana): A family-owned, mission-driven industrial hemp feed, food, and fiber company. Forever Green, Distributors of the KP-4 Hemp Cutter, a revolutionary hemp harvesting machine designed for speed, efficiency and durability. Available at . : A Massachusetts-based organization focusing on supporting sustainable ventures. These segments provide a mix of industry updates, upcoming events, and product promotions relevant to the hemp community. The music in this podcast is courtesy of , a band or musical group whose work is featured throughout the show. The music serves as background during transitions between segments and interviews, contributing to the overall tone and feel of the podcast. It's likely used to create a relaxed, engaging atmosphere that complements the conversational and informative style of the podcast.
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Pennsylvania Hemp Shines Bright in the Spotlight
08/29/2024
Pennsylvania Hemp Shines Bright in the Spotlight
This week on the Hemp Podcast we bring you Part One of our coverage of the Lancaster County Hemp Circuit, a two-day, four-farm hemp event that shone a bright light on hemp in Pennsylvania and attracted attendees from all over the U.S. and a few foreign countries. On Part One of our Hemp Circuit coverage on the podcast, we hear from a handful of out-of-state attendees. We’ll hear a few impressions of the county. “It’s beautiful farmland,” said Larry Smart, a plant breeder and head of the hemp program at Cornell University. “I’ll just say the roads here are twisty and turny. We’re used to straighter roads in the Finger Lakes, but the landscape is just spectacular.” We’ll hear how Pennsylvania fits into the national hemp industry landscape. Bert James, a North Carolina farmer and co-founder of hemp seed distributor KonopiUS, called Pennsylvania a “hemp playground, in the way that they have access to so many different varieties. There’s a good latitude. They’ve got good soil.” “So there’s a lot of potential here, but we’re going to obviously need to get some processing online to serve this opportunity,” he said. And we’ll hear why Pennsylvania might just be the perfect place for the intersection of business, innovation and opportunity. Larry Serbin, from Hemp Traders in California, is impressed with the farmers and Amish machine shops in Lancaster County. He said he is working with some folks in Pennsylvania to develop “green decorticating” techniques. “The hemp would be decorticated in the field, which would result in farmers earning a lot more money for the crop and the cost of the hemp raw materials, like the hurd and bast fiber, to be about half what they are now,” Serbin said. On this episode, we will hear from: Morris Beegle, ; Eric Singular, ; Larry Smart, ; Wendy Mosher, ; Larry Serbin, ; Laura Sullivan, ; Bert James, ; Rusty Peterson, ; David Suchoff, ; Keith Harvey, Upcoming Hemp Events: Sept. 11 Kifcure Hemp Harvest Open House Sept. 12 Cornell University Fiber & Grain Field Day Sept. 20-22 Right Coast Hemp Hempcrete Workshop Thanks to our Sponsors!
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Hemp-It: How a French Seed Propagator Meets the Demands of a Growing Industry
08/15/2024
Hemp-It: How a French Seed Propagator Meets the Demands of a Growing Industry
In this week’s episode of the Industrial Hemp Podcast, Lancaster Farming talks with Jean-Eric Ponthou from Hemp-It and Robin Destiche from KonopiUS. Ponthou is the manager of sales and development at Hemp-It, a French company established in 1965 that produces certified industrial hemp seeds. “It’s the only company in France producing certified industrial seeds at international standards,” Ponthou said. Located about 180 miles southwest of Paris, the company has 30 employees at the headquarters and works with a co-op network of nearly 150 farmers to produce about 2,000 tons of hemp seed annually. “It’s a co-op company,” Ponthou said, “which means every farmer has one share in the company, so we’re all equal.” He said Hemp-It produces about 15 different varieties of industrial hemp, and each of these varieties targets some specific market segment: grain, hurd or fiber. According to a 2023 report by Textile Exchange, France is the largest producer of hemp fiber by volume in the world. Destiche is one of the founders of KonopiUS, a seed distribution and agronomy company in Virginia, and he has been working with Hemp-It for several years. Destiche explained how Europe operates from a database of approved varieties, varieties that have already been tested for morphology, stability and THC. “I think currently there’s over 100 hemp varieties that are registered,” he said. Hemp-It has also developed several varieties of hemp that contain no THC. “This way, we open the gate to the food industry, because we can guarantee to get them the lowest the rate of THC as possible,” Ponthou said. THC is the naturally occurring chemical compound in the hemp plant which at higher levels cause the psychoactive affects associated with marijuana. THC-free varieties of hemp grain might be a way forward for hemp grain producers who took issue with last week’s historic vote by the as an ingredient for feed for laying hens. Various international groups said the THC thresholds in the feed definition were too low and would be hard to reach. Maybe THC-free grain is the way to go. Learn More: Thanks to our Sponsors Music by
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Lower Sioux Host Field Day September 5, plus AAFCO Votes on Hemp Seed Meal
08/08/2024
Lower Sioux Host Field Day September 5, plus AAFCO Votes on Hemp Seed Meal
Our guest this week is Danny Desjarlais, head builder for the Lower Sioux Indian Community in Morton Minnesota, where the tribe is undertaking one of the most ambitious hempcrete building projects in the country. Desjarlais said his community is has been experiencing a housing crisis. No so much homelessness, he said, but overcrowding—extended families all living together in small, poorly constructed houses on the reservation. But with hempcrete, he sees a path forward to provide respectable, comfortable, dignified housing for the people of the Lower Sioux in an efficient yet timely manner. In the past two years, Desjarlais and his crew have completed four hempcrete houses and a retro fit of an existing house. More hempcrete houses than most communities in the world, but still it’s not enough. “Our main need here in the community is housing. And so we really need to make a difference,” he said. “And even four houses, five houses a year isn't going to make a big enough impact for what we need.” A recent census of the community determined the need was closer to 200 houses, which would more than double the number of houses on the reservation. One of the issues with building in Minnesota is the weather. Desjarlais said winter starts late and ends early, so there is a limited window for on-site construction, which is why the tribe is planning to make prefab houses from hempcrete panels—4' by 8' sections of walls that can be built in a facility and then assembled on site. This is the plan the tribe is working towards. To that end, they have developed a processing facility that will be opening soon, so they can be self-sufficient. They’ll grow the hemp, process the hemp, and build houses for their people. The hemp houses and processing facility will be on display to the public on September 5, 2024, when the tribe is hosting their inaugural field day. Also, on this episode, we hear from Morgan Tweet and Andrew Bish from the Hemp Feed Coalition moments after AAFCO voted to approve hemp as a livestock feed for laying hens. Learn More: Thanks to our sponsors: Music courtesy of
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Lancaster County Hemp Circuit: Four Hemp Farms in One Event
07/31/2024
Lancaster County Hemp Circuit: Four Hemp Farms in One Event
On this week’s Industrial Hemp Podcast, we talk to the organizers of the : Sarah Mitchell, Steve Groff and Alyssa Collins. The circuit, an event centered on growing and processing industrial hemp in Pennsylvania, is scheduled Aug. 20-21. “It’s called the circuit because we actually have four different sites and they’re all in a radius of Lancaster City,” said Mitchell, hemp specialist at , which is hosting the first leg of the circuit at the King’s research farm in Christiana on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 9 a.m. “We have 28 varieties to show off from several different continents, all by breeders who are intending to either offer certified seed varieties or are breeding for certified seed varieties,” she said. From the farm in Christiana, the event moves to the for an afternoon educational session, including a welcome address from Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and a history lesson from Pennsylvania hemp historian Les Stark. “We also have six hemp entrepreneurs from Pennsylvania,” Mitchell said, “and these are businesses that are actually generating revenue from hemp. And so these are people who are not just talking about making it happen, but they’re actually making it happen.” After the Landis Valley Museum and a dinner break, the circuit continues at in Manheim, where Collins, its director, has been overseeing Penn State’s hemp research since 2018. The evening portion of the event starts with introductions in the barn. Attendees will then head out to the field to see the variety trials and ask questions, before returning to the barn for more discussion. “This is a great opportunity to meet some of the next generation of hemp scientists, because we’re going to have some of the students there to share their work that they’ve been working on the last couple of years on, specifically hemp disease and hemp processing and insect ecology in hemp,” Collins said. For those traveling from outside the county, Mitchell said a block of rooms is available at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel in Lancaster. The second day of the event takes place from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., entirely at Steve Groff’s in Holtwood, Lancaster County, where Groff has over 50 acres of fiber hemp in the ground. The day will be full day of expert speakers, educational opportunities and equipment demonstrations from chopping and baling to no-till planting into cover crops. There will also be a soil pit, so attendees can see the difference regenerative hemp farming has on the soil. Groff said he is excited to unveil his four bar hemp cutter, essentially four sickle mowing bars that allow for easier harvesting of tall fiber hemp. “And we’ll be able to cut 12 feet hemp into four sections, and make it manageable then to windrow and dry it out,” he said. Lunch will be served both days, but attendees are on their own for dinner. Space is limited, so please . Learn More Questions about the event? Contact: , Hemp Specialist 717-327-6188 Thanks to Our Sponsors Music courtesy of
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Special Message
07/26/2024
Special Message
Hey there. I made a mistake on this week's episode, so if you hear something weird on the show, go back and downloaded it again. I fixed the issue and uploaded the new file. Thanks! -eric
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