The hemp business is reaching a boom period, which is why now is the best time ever to become a hemp farmer.
While hemp farming is potentially lucrative and exponentially beneficial to a lot of people and industries, you’ll need to go about it the right way. Growing hemp is about more than just putting some seeds into the ground, so you’ll need a strategy to go about it in the best and most productive way possible.
To get started, consider the information below.
1. Research the Legalities and Know Your Rights
Before going into the hemp business, you need to get a feel for the legal landscape. While it is largely legal to grow hemp in a number of different places, the last thing you’d want to do is deal with penalties because you weren’t aware of your rights and responsibilities.
The 2014 Farm Bill was significant in allowing farmers in the United States to cultivate hemp. It was updated a few years later with the 2018 Farm Bill, relaxing a lot of the stringent regulations placed on hemp cultivation, and setting aside some money for continued hemp research.
With this in mind, it’s your responsibility as a hemp farmer to be fully aware of the legal parameters in place, so that you can grow your product to your heart’s content without dealing with violations.
You will need to satisfy the requirements of your state as well, which includes lots of applications, permits, licenses, hearings, and fees. The more aware you are of this red tape, the easier it’ll be to navigate the process.
2. Learn the Ins and Outs of Farming as a Whole, and Not Just Hemp Farming
Make sure that your priorities are in place before getting into the hemp business.
A lot of people are going to rush in with dollar signs in their eyes, only to be in for a rude awakening when they realize that farming is hard work — and a lot of it.
In this regard, start cultivating a love and understanding of farming as a whole, and not just for hemp. This way, you are more likely to respect the process and develop the mastery over it that you need.
3. Get Your Hands on the Best Supplies
You’re starting on the wrong foot if you don’t get your hands on the best possible supplies to grow hemp.
First and foremost, purchase high-quality CBD hemp seeds so that you can grow magnificent crops.
Likewise, you’ll need the farming equipment that will help you turn over yields quickly, while reducing the amount of labor that goes into it. Touch base with some farm supply professionals in order to get the best results from planting to harvest.
4. Be Ready to Put in a Lot of Leg Work Without Immediate Results
While the profits can and will come in, your first efforts will be a labor of love.
In fact, a lot of your early work will include picking weeds by hand, and watering your seeds every couple of days. It’s not until you start seeing some results that you will be able to let the process begin to work for itself.
Because this can be very time consuming, you’ll need to have the right team of people in place who can handle the work, and ensure that corners are never cut. The end result will be well worth it when you skip the instant gratification and put the proper amount of time and effort into your crops.
5. Understand the Benefits of Growing Hemp — and Why Now is the Best Time to Do It
It’s also best to have a solid understanding of why exactly you want to get into the hemp business.
People are starting to understand that hemp is medicine, since people are using CBD for everything from anxiety relief to help with the symptoms of diabetes. Now is the best time ever to get involved since the industry is so lucrative and only growing.
A lot of research is also happening that studies how hemp can transform industries in everything from health and beauty to energy and fuel, building supplies and nutrition.
The more you know about this wonder plant and the market that demands it, the more this will inform the business aspect of your efforts.
6. Figure Out the Variety of Hemp You’d Like to Specialize In
You should also pick a specialty and decide what segment of the hemp business you’d like to explore.
When cultivating hemp, people typically focus on either the fiber, grain or cannabinoid.
Each has its different nuances, which involve the temperatures and moisture conditions needed to grow optimally, and the pH levels of the soil. When you have a better understanding of the type of hemp you’d like to grow, it will inform how you go about it.
7. Be Mindful of Climate and Genetics
Finally, make sure that you learn all that you can about the genetics of the seeds and plants, in addition to the climate in which you are growing them.
This will help you figure out where you’d like to grow your plants, how to set up greenhouses, what contaminants to look out for, and more. You’ll need to find the optimal fertilizer to get the most of your plants, and understand the process of harvesting.
Get Into Hemp Farming on Your Terms
If you’re thinking about getting into the business of growing hemp, these are the tips that will get you started. When you’d like to learn more or purchase supplies, we’re more than happy to help.
For help and information on getting into the hemp farming business, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
Hemp Farming