Hemp in Pennsylvania: Commodity Crop or Shadow Cannabis Market?

Hemp in Pennsylvania: Commodity Crop or Shadow Cannabis Market?

Author: Eric Hurlock, Digital Editor February 2, 2026 Duration: 33:32

We're back. Season 9 of the Hemp Show is here.

In this season opener of the Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast, we'll take you inside a hearing organized by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania that was meant to explain the hemp industry to state lawmakers — and ended up revealing something else entirely.

The original intent of hemp in the Farm Bill was about agriculture and manufacturing, but the conversation has been dominated by intoxicating cannabinoids, chemical definitions and law enforcement concerns.

This episode weaves together testimony from regulators, business owners and legislators and ultimately asks a simple but important question: When "hemp" is used to describe everything, what does the word actually mean anymore?

Will farmers who want to grow fiber and grain get the short end of the stick again?

Listen to what the hearing revealed and why clear definitions may be the key to Pennsylvania's hemp future.

SUBSCRIBE to Lancaster Farming Newspaper
https://www.lancasterfarming.com/subscribe/

Learn More:

Pennsylvania Hemp Program (PA Dept. of Agriculture)

https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/industrial_hemp

Video of the Hemp Industry Hearing (Pennsylvania Farm Show)

https://vimeo.com/1154816396/314acd404f

Center for Rural Pennsylvania (Hearing Organizer)

https://www.rural.pa.gov

2018 Farm Bill – Hemp Definition (USDA)

https://www.usda.gov/farmbill

Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast Archive

https://www.lancasterfarming.com/podcasts/hemp

Thanks to our Sponsors:

IND HEMP

https://indhemp.com

Americhanvre

https://americhanvre.com

King's AgriSeeds

https://kingsagriseeds.com

Hempcutter.com

https://hempcutter.com

HEMI

hempinitiatives.org/


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
Pennsylvania Hemp Farmer Steve Groff Goes to China [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:31
Holtwood, PENNSYLVANIA—On this episode of the Industrial Hemp Podcast, Lancaster Farming visits with Lancaster County hemp farmer Steve Groff to discuss his recent trip to China. Steve shares his observations from visiti…
One Plant Film Reaches Kickstarter Fundraising Goal. Now What? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:28
This week on the Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast, host Eric Hurlock speaks with filmmaker Jordan Berger from Sunflower Films in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Berger and his team are creating the documentary One Plant…
In a World of Hemp with Cameron McIntosh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:18
In this special Thanksgiving episode, hemp podcast host Eric Hurlock sits down with hempcrete builder Cameron McIntosh of Americhanvre Cast Hemp. Fresh off his return from the World Hemp Forum in France, Cameron shares i…
Talking Hemp with Morris Beegle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:03
This week we talk hemp with industry leader Morris Beegle. Known for his work with the NoCo Hemp Expo, Let's Talk Hemp, and other ventures, Morris shares his insights on the year in hemp, global developments, and what li…
Hemp Goes to GreenBuild [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:54
In this episode of the Industrial Hemp Podcast, we take you to the GreenBuild Conference and Expo in Philadelphia, the world's largest event dedicated to green building and sustainable construction. This annual gathering…
Montana 2024, Part One: The Goodness of Hemp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:33
This is part one of our coverage of the 2024 Montana Hemp Summit, also known as the "Goodness of Hemp" Summit, that took place in Great Falls, Montana, Oct. 15-17. First, please take action now. Help support the One Plan…
Exploring Hemp Opportunities in Japan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:18
This week on the Hemp Podcast, we travel to Japan. Not literally, but vicariously. Our three guests recently attended the inaugural Tokyo International Hemp Conference last month and toured an 8th generation hemp farm an…
Pennsylvania Ag Secretary Seeks Knowledge in Montana [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:43
Secretary Russell Redding made an official Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture trip to Montana this week to meet with founders of IND HEMP, one of the largest hemp fiber and seed processors in the U.S. On this week's…
National Hemp Association Goes to Africa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:49
On this week's Hemp Podcast, we talk to Geoff Whaling from the National Hemp Association, who recently returned from a trip to Africa. The trip, funded by a USDA Emerging Markets Program grant, focused on developing hemp…