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!

KP4 Hemp Cutter: Revolutionizing hemp harvesting with speed and efficiency. Learn more

King’s AgriSeeds: Supporting fiber and grain hemp growers in the Mid-Atlantic region. Learn more

IND Hemp: A family-owned hemp food, feed, and fiber company in Fort Benton, Montana. Learn more

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: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/oneplant/one-plant

Watch the Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1tlMo1VtWA

Hemp News Nuggets

Hemp Fiber Research Funding: North Carolina State University receives a $667K investment for studies on harvest timing and environmental impacts on hemp fiber quality.

PFAS Remediation with Hemp: A project in Maine demonstrates hemp’s potential to clean up contaminated soil but highlights challenges in safe disposal of toxic biomass.

Regulatory Battles in Texas: The state’s hemp industry faces potential new restrictions as lawmakers seek tighter controls on intoxicating hemp products.

Thanks to our Sponsors!

IND HEMP

Mpactful Ventures

Forever Green, distributors of the KP4 Hemp Cutter

Music by Tin Bird Shadow

In this special Thanksgiving episode, hemp podcast host Eric Hurlock sits down with hempcrete builder Cameron McIntosh of Americhanvre Cast Hemp. Fresh off his return from the World Hemp Forum in France, Cameron shares insights from his whirlwind trip, including a tour of La Chanvrière'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.

Greenbuild 2024: 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 Kickstarter for One Planet Film

Patagonia’s The Green Buffalo Documentary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A15X3-FFEXw

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 INDHEMP.com.

National Hemp Association – Advocating for sensible public policy and building a sustainable future while promoting rural economic development. Learn more at NationalHempAssociation.org.

Music by Tin Bird Shadow

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 European Industrial Hemp Association Conference in Berlin.

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 EIHA Conference in Berlin

Links & Resources:

• NoCo Hemp Expo – Learn more about the world’s largest hemp-centric conference.

• Let’s Talk Hemp – Morris Beegle’s podcast and media platform.

• One Plant Documentary Kickstarter – Support the hemp documentary project.

• Farmhouse Podcast – Stories about women in agriculture, hosted by Candice Wierzbowski and Stephanie Speicher. Listen to their conversation with Christine Smart from Cornell AgriTech and Melissa Nelson Baldwin from South Bend Industrial Hemp.

Thank you to our sponsors!

• IND Hemp – A family-owned company revolutionizing American hemp for food, feed, and fiber. Visit IND Hemp.

• Mpactful Ventures – Supporting startups that combat climate change. Learn more.

Music by Tin Bird Shadow

 

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, GreenBuild

Greg Wilson – HempWood

Tom Rossmossler – HempStone

Mattie Mead – Hempitecture

James Forbes – Tiger Fiber

Pierre Berard – HEMI and The Goodness of Hemp

Alex Sexsmith – Sexsmith Architects

Zach Popp – Sativa Building Systems

Amanda Martin-Behrendtsen – Renewal Revolution

Trey Riddle – IND HEMP

Mario Machnicki – US Heritage Group

Indra Fanuzzi – American Basalt Company

Colyn Stangl-Meddaugh – BRR Architecture

Listen now to hear how hemp is revolutionizing the construction industry and why GreenBuild is the perfect platform to showcase its potential.

Support the ONE PLANT Kickstarter!

Thanks to our Sponsors

IND HEMP

Mpactful Ventures

ForeverGreen

Music by Tin Bird Shadow

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 One Plant Kickstarter 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 KickStarter Campaign.

Then you'll hear a series of interviews that Eric conducted with attendees at the summit.

By order of appearance:

Eduardo Garcia

Chef and CEO of Montana Mex 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 Steuben Foods 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 InCommon Group, 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 100 Million Acres campaign to promote sustainable farming practices.

Anjli Kumar

Founder of Inner Bark Heritage, 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 Bear Fiber, 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 agriculture educator 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 OG hemp entrepreneur 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 "One Plant," 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 Montana Flour and Grain, 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.

https://quinninstitute.org/

Contact:

Questions or comments? Reach out to Eric at [email protected]

Credits:

This episode of the Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast is produced by Eric Hurlock. Music by Tin Bird Shadow.

Thank you to our Sponsors:

IND HEMP

Americhanvre

Mpactful Ventures

Forever Green

 

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.

National Hemp Association

Steve Groff

USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program

Watch the ONE PLANT trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1tlMo1VtWA

Support the ONE PLANT Kickstarter campaign:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/oneplant/one-plant

Thanks to our sponsors

IND HEMP

Mpactful Ventures

Forever Green

 

MUSIC by TIN BIRD SHADOW https://tinbirdshadow.bandcamp.com/album/dot-dot-dot

 

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:

National Industrial Hemp Council of America

Hemp Build Mag

KonopiUS

Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP)

Texas Hemp Building Event: Architect/Builder Training and Tour, San Marcos, TX October 24-25

Greenbuild 2024

News Nuggets

US Hopes Green Construction Awakens Japan’s Hemp Industry

Honeywell and SGP BioEnergy to develop plant-based biochemicals, reducing industry’s reliance on fossil fuels

Thanks to our Sponsors!

IND HEMP

Americhanvre

Forever Green and the KP4 Hemp Cutter

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.”

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Hemp Program

IND HEMP

Thanks to our sponsors!

Mpactful Ventures Forever Green

 

 

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 IND HEMP

King's Agriseeds