Geoff Whaling and the Future of Hemp Under the Trump Administration

Geoff Whaling and the Future of Hemp Under the Trump Administration

Author: Eric Hurlock, Digital Editor February 14, 2025 Duration: 38:56

On this episode of the Hemp Podcast, we welcome back Geoff Whaling, chair of the National Hemp Association, for an in-depth discussion on the evolving landscape of the hemp industry under the new administration.

We cover the uncertainty surrounding the NHA's $19.8 million climate-smart grant, the impact of leadership changes in Washington, and the ongoing push for hemp as an approved food and animal feed ingredient.

Whaling shares his insights on the Farm Bill negotiations, the role of key officials in the USDA, and why he remains optimistic about hemp's future despite political shifts.

Topics Covered:


  • The latest on the USDA Climate-Smart grant and its uncertain status

  • Why Geoff sees opportunities under the new administration

  • Key takeaways from his recent meetings in Washington, D.C.

  • The push for federal recognition of hemp as animal feed

  • How industry members can engage and advocate for hemp policy

Learn more:

Take the NHA Industry Survey

https://nationalhempassociation.org/hemp-industry-survey/

National Hemp Association

https://nationalhempassociation.org/

Congressional Research Service Hemp Update

https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12278/7

Thanks to our sponsors:

IND HEMP

Forever Green

Music by Tin Bird Shadow


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
Navigating Uncertainty and Innovation in Hemp with Steve Groff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:40
In this episode, regenerative industrial hemp farmer Steve Groff returns for a candid discussion about the current state of hemp farming, innovation and industry challenges in Pennsylvania. Groff shares insights on the u…
Lost & Found: The Wild Journey of Lewis & Clark's Herbarium [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:16
When President Thomas Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on the original American road trip in 1804, there weren't many roads, so they took boats. Up the Missouri River and into the great unknown. One of t…
The Hemp Plastic Company's Paul Benhaim On Why Scalability Matters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:34
This week on the Hemp Show, we talk with global hemp expert and co-founder of the Hemp Plastic Company, Paul Benhaim. Benhaim takes us on a deep dive into hemp plastics — and why he believes scalability is more important…
The Old Pueblo Hemp Revolution with Micaela Machado [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:37
This week on the Hemp Show, we head to Tucson, Arizona, where Micaela Machado of Old Pueblo Hemp Co. is leading a hemp-building revolution. She said she hopes "Tucson becomes a hub for natural building and specifically h…
A Global Perspective on Hemp with Morris Beegle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:38
In this episode of the Lancaster Farming Hemp Podcast, we welcome back Morris Beegle, the founder of NoCo Hemp Expo and a leading advocate in the hemp industry. The conversation spans the globe as Morris shares insights…
Hemp Mushroom Coffins and the Future of Sustainable Burial [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:08
On this episode we talk to Max Justice from Setas Mushrooms — the innovator behind MyCoffin, biodegradable coffins made of mycelium and industrial hemp. Justice is the co-founder and CEO of Setas Eternal Living, a compan…
California's War on Hemp: Chris Boucher Breaks it Down [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:20
On this episode we check back in Chris Boucher, who was originally on the program in July of 2022. Boucher is a hemp industry OG. In 1990, he was first introduced to hemp by Jack Herer himself in, author of the book that…