Videos from the WNC Hemp Grower Meeting

— Written by Brandon Hopper | March 29, 2021 (Updated: May 14, 2021, 3:51 a.m.)

3/29/2021 - Here are links to the videos from the 2021 Western North Carolina Hemp Grower Meeting held via Zoom on February 17, 2021. Hear from growers, processors, and a fiber processor in the western part of the state.

This event was organized by NC State Extension personnel in western North Carolina and hosted by Jeanine Davis, NC Alternative Crops & Organics Program, Department of Horticultural Science NC State Extension Hemp portal

Clip 1: Joe Evans: Hemp Life Farmer

Joe Evans of HempLife shares his experiences with growing hemp in a vertically integrated market. Joe’s hemp farm is in Newland, NC in Avery County. In this video, Joe talks about what strains he chose, what his labor consisted of, some fertilizer suggestions, and his insect damage experience. Please check out the rest of the videos in this series by visiting the 2021 WNC Hemp Growers Meeting Series.

Clip 2: Waightstill Avery: Farmer From Avery Farms

In this video, Waightstill Avery discusses the importance of knowing your market. Waightstill is a Christmas tree farmer from Avery County that became interested in the large-scale wholesale aspect of hemp growing. Please check out the rest of the videos in this series by visiting the 2021 WNC Hemp Growers Meeting Series.

Clip 3: Dustin Brogden: Farmer With Abby's Angels

Dustin Brogdon is a farmer for Abby’s Angels, a company he and his family began in order to improve the quality of life for their epileptic daughter. By taking CBD, her seizures were reduced from 10-12 per day to 1-2 per month. Dustin’s family were originally tobacco farmers, so he provides an interesting perspective on the transition of tobacco farming to hemp farming. In this video, he talks about the importance of insect and disease management, the struggle of banking, and the importance of using your state and local resources. Please check out the rest of the videos in this series by visiting the 2021 WNC Hemp Growers Meeting Series.

Clip 4: Michael Long: Daniel Yohannes Renaissance Fiber Processor

In this video, we will hear from Michael Long and Daniel Johannes of Renaissance Fiber. Their goal is to provide insight in how to be successful in the fiber industry. In this presentation, Long provides a detailed account of what both the fiber farmer is to expect in a growing season and what the fiber industry is looking for in a product. Please check out the rest of the videos in this series by visiting the 2021 WNC Hemp Growers Meeting Series.

Clip 5: Taylon Breedan: Processor at Simply Extract

Taylon Breenan is the owner of Simply Extract a hemp processing company in Alexander, North Carolina. In this video, she takes us through her hemp processing process and invites small, local growers to contact her for their processing needs. Brennan offers advice and insight into a profitable small business. Please check out the rest of the videos in this series by visiting the 2021 WNC Hemp Growers Meeting Series.

Clip 6: Chip Miller: Processor From Abundant Labs

In this video, Chip Miller and Gary Hughes from Abundant Labs speak with us about their hemp processing procedure. They're capable of processing approximately upwards of 4,000 pounds of hemp a day through our facility, so they’re considered a larger processor. Their facility is 25,000 square feet and located in Canton, NC. Please check out the rest of the videos in this series by visiting the 2021 WNC Hemp Growers Meeting Series.

Clip 7: Jeanine Davis: NC State Extension WNC Research Update Q+A

In this video, Dr. Jeanine Davis, NC State Extension hemp and new crops specialist, presents her latest research. Her research ranges from trialing grain and fiber hemp varieties back in 2017, to the present with more of a focus on the CBD floral crop. Experiment results are discussed here, as well as future research plans. Please check out the rest of the videos in this series by visiting the 2021 WNC Hemp Growers Meeting Series.