This week on the Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast, we’re chasing down the beginnings of a Pennsylvania hemp fiber supply chain.

We start the day in southern Lancaster County at Steve Groff’s farm, standing in the middle of what he calls his “hemp canyon,” with towering stalks over fifteen feet tall.

Groff has about 60 acres of the Australian hemp variety MS-77, which seems to do well on Groff's farm.

He's also working on a green decorticator. If the machine works as planned, it could change the way fiber hemp is harvested — cleaner, faster and without the need for retting.

From there we cross the Susquehanna River into York County to visit Dave Cook at Tuscarora Mills in Red Lion. Dave and his partner Heidi Custer are working to turn Pennsylvania-grown hemp into yarn and fabric.

Their mill is full of antique looms and their goal is simple but ambitious: To revive textile production here in the Keystone State using local hemp fiber.

It’s still early days for a Pennsylvania supply chain, but the work Groff and Cook are doing points toward a future where hemp textiles are grown, processed and woven right here at home.

Learn More:

Steve Groff:
https://stevegroff.com/

Dave Cook and Tuscarora Mills:
https://tuscaroramills.com/

News Nuggets, from HempToday.net

Peru opens draft hemp rules for consultation as industry eyes long-awaited start
https://hemptoday.net/peru-opens-draft-hemp-rules-for-consultation-as-industry-eyes-long-awaited-start/

Draft hemp bill would regulate intoxicating products instead of imposing a ban
https://hemptoday.net/draft-hemp-bill-would-regulate-intoxicating-products-instead-of-imposing-a-ban/

Stakeholders fear Brazil hemp rules may be restricted as Sept. 30 deadline nears
https://hemptoday.net/stakeholders-fear-brazil-hemp-rules-may-be-restricted-as-sept-30-deadline-nears/

Brazil’s CBD price war, a boon for patients, signals maturing medical market
https://hemptoday.net/brazils-cbd-price-war-a-boon-for-patients-signals-maturing-medical-market/

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