The Fiber King In-Field Decorticator

The Fiber King In-Field Decorticator

Author: Eric Hurlock, Digital Editor August 21, 2026 Duration: 30:34

On this week's show, we catch up with Lancaster County farmer, hemp innovator and cover-crop coach Steve Groff to hear about the progress on two machines that have been years in the making and, he thinks, are finally about ready.

The headliner is the Fiber King in-field decorticator, a project Groff has been developing with Larry Serbin of Hemp Traders. Instead of hauling bulky raw stalks off the field, the machine decorticates the hemp right where it grows: the fiber is laid on the ground to dry for a couple of days and then round-baled while the wet hurd drops into a standard forage wagon.

Groff calls it a systems approach. They're ready to build the first commercial unit and are testing at universities, but they're waiting on investor funding to get there.

The economics are the whole point. Hemp is expensive to move as raw biomass — you just can't get enough weight on a truck — so decorticating in the field adds value for the farmer and lowers transportation costs as the crop gets denser. "You want to give the farmer as much profit as possible," Groff said.

We also talked about his four-inch precision no-till hemp planter, developed through a Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture innovation grant. By singulating seed and placing it on even four-inch spacing, the planter aims for the uniform, pencil- to Sharpie-sized stalks that textile buyers want, Groff said.

Learn More

Steve Groff

stevegroff.com

Hemp Traders

hemptraders.com

Hemp Events and Happenings

One Plant Documentary World Premiere — Nashville Film Festival 

Nashville, TN Sept. 26

nashfilmfest2026.eventive.org/schedule/one-plant-6a729213e47b192d0a91b154

Hemp Lava Love Workshop 

Tucson, AZ  Oct. 13–15

hemplavalove.my.canva.site/garden-wedding-website-ph-in-white-red-black-romantic-scrapbook-style-style

One Plant Documentary Screening

Lancaster, PA Oct. 24

eventbrite.com/e/lancaster-farming-sunflower-present-one-plant-tickets-1998324956739

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

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IND Hemp

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Forever Green

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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: 50

Industrial Hemp Podcast
Podcast Episodes
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