Hemp is a plant that has been cultivated for centuries, and it’s one of the earliest plants in existence to be used for healing and a wide range of manufacturing and textile products. The United States did not commercially grow hemp for most of the 20th century until the “Farm Bill” was implemented in 2018. Oregon is the first state to commercially grow hemp with 7,000 acres planted in 2018 while 2019 saw an increase up to 50,000 acres. Setting the industry standard and leading the way is Tweedle Farms, a family-owned hemp farm in Northwest Oregon.
The Benefits of Commercially Grown Hemp
There are numerous benefits of commercially grown hemp flower in Oregon from an economic standpoint to the numerous health benefits that Oregon’s residents are now discovering with a wide range of high-quality CBD products. Research and science have produced an overwhelming body of evidence that CBD contains both anti-psychotic and anti-inflammation properties while hemp farmers are selectively breeding specific strains for higher-quality medical and manufacturing products.
There’s a lot of material available on the internet for the uses and benefits of CBD, but there’s not a lot of information on how growing hemp benefits the land around us. Could growing hemp actually benefit Oregon’s regenerative agriculture as well? Let’s take a look.
Here are three of the major regenerative agricultural benefits of growing hemp:
- Eliminates Harmful Pesticides and Herbicides
Since most strains of hemp are naturally resistant to insects and predators, it eliminates the need to use harmful pesticides and herbicides. When pesticides and herbicides are used, they can seep into the ground and nearby waterways, which can negatively affect both wildlife and humans. Hemp plantations are also natural havens for bees to pollinate as well as small animals and birds seeking refuge.
- Provides an Excellent Ground Cover Crop
Hemp has a very quick growth rate, which makes it the ideal solution for a ground cover crop. Meaning, hemp can be grown in between other crops or in barren areas, and the best part, there’s no room for weeds to grow. Therefore, the need to use harmful weed killers and herbicides is greatly reduced. When compared to other cover crops that hold no value, hemp not only provides an excellent cover crop, but it also holds a high market value. Growing hemp is a win-win situation for Oregon farmers.
- Soil Improvement and Crop Rotation
Hemp is a vital part of the regenerative process of the soil and crop rotation. Although hemp is an annual crop, its roots grow deep into the soil. This helps to reduce erosion, prevents loose soil from forming, and it holds the soil together. Hemp provides superior crop rotation for farming ground that can be used to grow more delicate plants and vegetables. Hemp also produces high levels of biomass, which decomposes and returns to the ground. This provides the nutrients required for growing other rotational crops such as winter cereals.
The Importance of Professional Hemp Growers
Oregon’s regenerative agriculture is a key component to ensuring high-quality crops for both hemp and rotational crops. The benefits of hemp and other crops are only made possible with careful planning and crop management. Professional growers like Tweedle Farms take extra precautionary measures to ensure that the nutrients in the soil or vital natural resources are not depleted. When it comes to sustainable and regenerative farming practices, Tweedle Farms is the industry leader in the State of Oregon.
