Why Hemp here in Australia?
Sir Joseph Banks sent hemp seeds on the First Fleet so the fledgeling colony of Australia so could make rope and sails. It is a national tradition that Australian Farmers are growing curious about: growing hemp crops on conventional, grain, hobby, and leasehold farms. Many of them already occupy the ideal kind of land to grow industrial hemp crops twice per year, but they have not made the jump to growing hemp. Why? Farming Hemp in Australia makes economic and ecological sense and Maxine and Mike, the ‘Hemp Collective’ team has identified three of the main reasons why they are more Australians trying to grow hemp and a brighter future.
1. Four growing industries rely on it
Australian farmers see the benefit in growing hemp for its purpose in commercial and industrial products including food, paper, textiles, plastics, insulation and building materials.
Using the Hemp Hurd, we can make even more heavy duty hemp building materials, like “hempcrete,” are being explored for their insulating, carbon-locking properties. Buildings made with industrial hemp materials breathe better, stabilise indoor air, provide resistance against fire damage, and safety from pests.
Some curious hemp farmers are looking to the runways as inspiration for their interest in hemp farming Australia. Hemp is
both robust and breathable, and if you have ever seen it blended with fine silk, you have also wondered why more designers aren’t able to access more hemp for fashion. Steeped in thousands of years of fashion history, hemp fabrics are making a comeback, all over the world, however, Hemp fabric is still decades away from being processed here in Australia.
Hemp food crops are now legal since the end of 2017, which is great for farmers who want to grow resilient crops of highly nutritious foods. Three tablespoons of hulled hemp seeds equal 10 grams (g) of protein, 14g fat (mostly from omega-3 and omega-6 and nine fats), and 2g fibre.
Finally, there is a wave of interest in hemp-based body care that rivals that of Argan oil (or Moroccan oil) of a few years past. Along with having the same nutritional properties as hemp foods, the skin absorbs hemp’s cannabinoids (like cannabidiol) for silky hair and shiny skin. (Click the link to our beautiful Hemp Soaps)
2. Hemp is legal
Industrial Hemp is the legal form of the Cannabis sativa L. plant because it contains virtually no psychoactive compounds. That is, it has <1% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); a person could smoke a field of its flowers and not feel the euphoric “high” of the illegal drug, which typically contains 10-15% THC. Growing hemp is legal to do in most countries in the world, such as Canada and the USA, and now in Australia.
3. Hemp is an excellent rotation crop
In countries where hemp is widely used, farmers benefit from its ability to suppress weeds and loosen the soil before they plant winter grains and cereals. All it needs is water and dark, humus-rich, nutrient-dense soil, but Hemp does not like having its feet to wet!
Over eighty years after hemp cultivation was banned in Australia, the industry is enjoying a second coming and ‘Hemp Collective’ are here to help. We are dedicated to growing Hemp, creating high-quality Australian products, collaboration and working towards creating a sustainable Australian Hemp Industry that will be viable for years to come and especially for our future generations to have a plastic-free planet!