Making industrial hemp more profitable

More South Carolina farmers are applying for permits to grow industrial hemp.  Researchers at Clemson University believe that applying best practices can result in higher quality and increase profits.  During a recent field day, organic vegetable specialist Brian Ward gave an update on the state industrial hemp crop.  One variety discussed was Hurricane Hemp – Florence which was developed after Hurricane Florence leveled much of the hemp crop in 2018.  Farmers lost about 15 to 20% of their yields. At one time, hemp was considered a Schedule 1 narcotic, but industrial hemp was first grown in South Carolina in 2018 when the agriculture department permitted 20 farmers to grow the crop as part of a pilot project.  Hemp is used to make a variety of commercial and industrial products including rope, clothes, food, paper, textiles, plastics, oils, cosmetics and bio-fuel.