In 2018, the United States passed the Agriculture Improvement Act that directed the US Department of Agriculture to allow states to grow industrial hemp.
Since then, the industry in Oregon has boomed with a more than 427% increase in growth over acres planted before 2018.
While there are some groups that are concerned about the growth rate of the booming Oregon hemp industry, many are happy to have a healthy crop system that supports their community. This article explores the benefits of industrial hemp in Oregon for both farming communities and rural job creation.
Rural Development Opportunities for Farming Communities
Much of the initial gold rush for growing Oregon hemp brought new settlers to the state who didn’t have much, if any farming experience. But now that the rush has begun to settle down, traditional farmers are starting to replant their fields with hemp.
Although there was some stigma at first since hemp is related to marijuana, the more farmers that grow it in the state, the more mainstream it becomes. Traditional farmers bring their expertise at growing crops to the table using pivot and drip irrigation systems to grow the heartiest plants.
Job Creation
Although hemp has led to an increase in jobs in the farming industry, it has impacts on other rural job industries as well.
Much of the hemp that is grown in Oregon is used for CBD products. CBD is an ingredient derived from hemp plants that is believed to have numerous medicinal benefits including helping with epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s symptoms.
CBD is most often made into a concentrated oil that is either taken orally, vaped, or rubbed into the skin.
CBD products aren’t the only thing being made from growing hemp in Oregon. Companies are also pursuing opportunities in nutraceuticals, nutritional supplements, building materials, energy markets, superfoods, and bio-composites. In the future, plastics made from hemp products may replace the materials used in our daily products like toothbrushes, straws, and even plastic food containers.