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
Bast Fiber Tech and the Rise of Hemp in Nonwoven Hygiene [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:50
This week on the Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast, we're talking about wipes. And diapers. And makeup pads. And all the other throwaway hygiene products we barely think about — but use every day. Most of these s…
Inside The NIHC Global Hemp Fiber Summit With Guy Carpenter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:59
The hemp event of the summer is taking place in Raleigh, North Carolina, July 15-17. It's the Global Industrial Hemp Fiber Summit, hosted by the Wilson College of Textiles, in conjunction with the National Industrial Hem…
The Hemp Show in Three Acts: A Café, a Workshop and a Reckoning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:12
This week's episode of the Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast unfolds in three acts, each exploring a different facet of the growing hemp industry — from a café built on hemp-based food, to a hands-on construction…
Untangling The Language: What We Mean When We Say Hemp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:51
This week on the Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast, host Eric Hurlock wrestles with a question at the heart of the industry: What is hemp? The term has become increasingly diluted and controversial — especially i…
Special Edition: Musical Teaser in Exchange for Your Patience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:46
This week's episode is a little different—just a quick teaser while we finish up next week's show, which dives into the meaning of the word "hemp" and who gets to claim it. Host Eric Hurlock has been on a journey talking…
Unlocking the USDA Hemp Report - A Tale of Two Industries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:13
This week on the Hemp Podcast we're looking at the 2025 Hemp Report from the USDA. The annual report attempts to provide a snapshot of the hemp industry, which, according to the report, is valued at $445 million — up 40%…
Non-Wovens and the Goodness of Hemp with Hempitecture's Mattie Mead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:01
They say hemp has 25,000 uses — but today, we're focusing on just one: nonwovens. In this episode, Eric and Sophia dive into a hidden-yet-ubiquitous part of our daily lives with guest Mattie Mead from Hempitecture. From…