Field to Fabric: Building a Hemp Denim Supply Chain in Pennsylvania

Field to Fabric: Building a Hemp Denim Supply Chain in Pennsylvania

Author: Eric Hurlock, Digital Editor February 26, 2026 Duration: 45:04

On this week's Hemp Podcast, we talk to August Cook, Joseph Carringer and Dave Cook of Commonwealth Denim and Tuscarora Mills about their effort to weave, cut and sew 100% hemp selvedge jeans in Pennsylvania — and what it will take to rebuild a regional textile supply chain from farm to finished garment.

Pennsylvania has a long history with textiles, from homespun hemp and linen in colonial times to the grandeur of Philadelphia's textile mills in the early 20th century. But by the end of the 20th century, the industry had pretty much collapsed, held together by specialty manufacturers and legacy family businesses.

Now, there is new hope on the horizon. Commonwealth Denim is weaving, cutting and sewing 100% hemp selvedge jeans in Pennsylvania while working to rebuild a fully Pennsylvania-based textile supply chain.

Learn More:

Commonwealth Denim pre-orders and company information:

https://commonwealthdenim.com/

Tuscarora Mills heritage textile weaving in York County, Pennsylvania:

https://tuscaroramills.com/

News Nuggets 

Dutch hemp fiber variety Carmanecta approved for EU catalog

hemptoday.net/newly-listed-dutch-variety-shows-potential-to-challenge-europes-fiber-hemp-incumbents/

European Food Safety Authority sets restrictive daily intake level for CBD

hemptoday.net/european-food-safety-panel-sets-ultra-low-daily-limit-for-cbd-tightening-approvals/

Australia's first dedicated hemp masonry hub opens in Nimbin

arr.news/2026/02/18/australias-first-one-stop-hemp-masonry-hub/

Daily Inter Lake reporting on the Benton hemp work shirt and domestic textile supply chain

dailyinterlake.com/news/2026/feb/22/american-made-hemp-shirt-experiment-two-montana-companies-led-creation-of-a-domestically-made-shirt-from-hemp/

Thanks to our Sponsor

IND HEMP

https://indhemp.com/


There’s a quiet revolution happening in fields and factories, and it’s centered on a single, versatile plant. Industrial Hemp Podcast, guided by Eric Hurlock, the Digital Editor at Lancaster Farming, moves beyond the headlines to explore what’s actually happening on the ground. This isn’t just theoretical discussion; it’s a direct line to the people driving the industry forward. Each episode features conversations with the farmers who are planting and harvesting these crops, facing very real agronomic challenges and opportunities. You’ll also hear from researchers, processors, and policy experts who are shaping the future of hemp for fiber, grain, and other industrial applications. The dialogue digs into the practicalities-from planting techniques and harvesting equipment to market trends, regulatory hurdles, and technological innovations that are changing the game. It’s a clear-eyed look at an agricultural sector finding its footing, reported by journalists with deep roots in farming communities. For anyone curious about the business, science, and sheer hard work behind industrial hemp, this podcast serves as an essential, grounded resource. Tune in for honest talk that cuts through the hype and gets to the root of this growing field.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Industrial Hemp Podcast
Podcast Episodes
420 Special: Rumble Strip – John Rodgers Weed Farmer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Duration: 35:46
Hemp Podcast guest James "Jimmy" Cottrell II is a fourth-generation paper maker at family-owned Cottrell Paper in Saratoga County, New York. He started cutting the grass in high school and began working at the mill after…
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