Speciality Crops

Historical Importance

According to Hemp Frontiers, from the beginning of human existence until the 1930s, hemp was the most important crop grown, providing food, fuel, clothing and shelter, and capable of being cultivated anywhere that people could live.

In the 16^th century, King Henry VIII ordered everyone to grow hemp as he needed more rope to build his navy and defeat the French!

“Why use up the forests which were centuries in the making and the mines which required ages to lay down if we can get the equivalent of forest and mineral products in the annual growth of the hemp fields?” — Henry Ford

Uses

Hemp has a wide range of uses across multiple industries.  As a fabric, it is stronger, more absorbent and more durable than cotton, using a lot less water and none of the chemicals.

Hemp fibres make great construction materials. Entire houses – and even bridges – have been built using hemp. Hemp mortar sets as hard as stone and hemp boards are three times stronger than wood. Indinature, in the Scottish Borders, manufactures industrial insulation materials using hemp fibres.

As the name suggests, Hemp Eyewear Edinburgh is an innovative company who have put their passion for design, sustainability and industrial hemp into the manufacture of eyewear.

Hailed as the most complete food source on earth, hemp contains all 20 amino acids and has almost as much protein (36%) as soybeans. It is the only food source to hold the 8 essential amino acids in perfect balance with all 4 essential fatty acids for human consumption. Hemp also has a good micronutrient mineral profile containing magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, and zinc. The seeds can be used to make burgers, milk, cheese, ice cream, protein bars, yoghurt, and more!

Sustainable growing

Hemp is extremely hardy, growing at a variety of altitudes and latitudes, so it doesn’t compete for the best farmland. It helps to detoxify and regenerate the soil with nitrogen and other nutrients, so it is a good rotational crop. Hemp requires no pesticides or herbicides and therefore promotes biodiversity whilst cutting costs.

Hemp is a climate change champion – sequestering four times as much carbon dioxide as trees in its 12-14 week growing cycle. According to Dr Wendy Russell of the Rowett Institute, hemp is the only, truly carbon-neutral plant.

Expanding Markets

Become a grower

Since 2012, the Rowett Institute in Aberdeenshire, funded by the Scottish Government, have been researching hemp’s potential in both diet biodiversification and in mitigating climate change.  Five Scottish farmers are currently growing hemp as part of this initiative. A Scottish Hemp Group has been formed to connect various stakeholders with an interest in hemp’s revival. 

Meanwhile, ongoing discussion is being had with a large company who are interested in opening a hemp processing facility in the Northeast of Scotland.  Exciting stuff!   Please contact us if you are interested in growing hemp and/or wish to become involved with the Scottish Hemp Group.

“When the UK and US politicians regain some sanity, the queen of crops will return from exile.”     — (Hemp Frontiers)