Hemp Growers Need to Consider Postharvest Plans

Tim Hammerich

News Reporter

There are always going to be challenges when learning to grow any new crop. Hemp is definitely no exception. But the biggest challenges, according to Lake County grower and processor Jammie Treadwell, may be after the crop is harvested.

Treadwell… “It is a harder crop than people think to grow. But in my experience, most of the farmers, they are used to dealing with weather - they are used to dealing with pests. If you're a farmer in Florida, you know how deal with those things. I would say the thing that farmers really have to think about is: what is my plan postharvest? How am I going to harvest this? Where am I going to store it? How am I going to stabilize it? And then who am I selling it to, and what are their expectations?”

Treadwell, who sells hemp products at TreadwellFarms.com, wants to make sure her fellow hemp farmers go enter the industry with realistic expectations.

Treadwell…”I think a lot of farmers have this idea that, you know, almost like these are money trees. And a lot of consultants and others will try to tell them that's the case. I think this crop has a lot of potential for Florida farmers, but it's still a hard crop. It's still a lot of work. It's a lot of work when it's in the field, and it's a lot of work once you've harvested it.”

Treadwell encourages other growers to start small, make a plan, and expand once they’re comfortable.