Greening the Hemp Industry: Why Sustainable Farming Matters

If you're a member of the hemp and cannabis industry, you've likely attended a trade show or two. These events are a great opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and share common interests, just like a pub. However, it's important to remember that trade shows are ultimately a business tool for their organizers to make money. Just as you wouldn't let a pub owner dictate the terms of your livelihood, you shouldn't let trade show organizers dictate your business strategy.

If you're working tirelessly in the fields every day and feel that changes need to be made to better support you and others like you, then it's important to speak up and make your voice heard. After all, those trade show tickets aren't cheap, and you deserve to be heard.

The good news is that change is already happening. Working programs are being put into place to help stabilize nascent sectors and alleviate unrealistic demands on farmers from those who lack the necessary background to understand their needs.

FROM RESPONSIBLE SOURCING PROGRAMS TO SUSTAINABLE FARMING INITIATIVES, THE HEMP INDUSTRY HAS A RANGE OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT FARMERS AND PROMOTE ETHICAL PRACTICES. DON'T GO IT ALONE – DISCOVER THE PROGRAMS THAT CAN HELP TAKE YOUR HEMP OPERATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

One such program that can assist hemp farmers is the Rainforest Alliance's certification for sustainable agriculture. This program focuses on promoting sustainable farming practices while ensuring fair labor practices and social responsibility. The certification can help hemp farmers gain access to markets that prioritize sustainability and ethical sourcing, which can in turn lead to better prices and market opportunities.

Another program that can assist farmers is the Global GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) certification, which focuses on ensuring the safety and quality of agricultural products while promoting sustainable farming practices. This certification can help hemp farmers meet international standards and gain access to new markets, which can be crucial in a global industry like hemp.

Responsible Hemp Standard (RHS), is an important aspect of the hemp industry's supply chain management. This program focuses on ensuring that hemp is sourced responsibly, sustainably, and ethically, while also supporting the economic development of small farmers and communities. By participating in the RHS program, hemp companies can help to promote fair labor practices, reduce environmental impact, and support local economies.

There are other global agricultural programs that can assist hemp farmers in ways that a tradeshow may not be able to. These programs provide education and resources to farmers, helping them to improve their yields, reduce waste, and increase profitability. They also offer opportunities for farmers to connect with buyers and suppliers from around the world, which can help to expand their markets and increase their revenue.

HOW PEPSICO IS LEADING THE WAY IN RESPONSIBLE HEMP SOURCING AND SUPPORTING SMALL FARMERS

In addition to programs like RHS, responsible sourcing is becoming increasingly important in the hemp industry. Many companies, including large corporations like PepsiCo, have internal sourcing programs that support the farmers in their network. This is not just a philanthropic gesture, but rather a strategic move that helps these companies ensure a stable supply chain of quality hemp products in the long run.

Through these programs, companies can provide technical assistance, training, and access to markets for small farmers. This helps to build stronger and more resilient communities and creates a more sustainable and ethical supply chain. By prioritizing responsible sourcing practices, hemp companies can help to minimize their environmental impact and ensure that their products are produced in a socially responsible manner. Ultimately, this benefits not only the farmers and communities involved, but also the entire hemp industry and its consumers.

PepsiCo refers to their internal responsible sourcing program as the PepsiCo Sustainable Farming Program. This program aims to improve the livelihoods of farmers and their communities by providing them with training and resources to improve their yields and adopt sustainable practices. It also helps PepsiCo to secure a reliable and high-quality supply of ingredients in the long run.

UNLOCKING THE POWER OF SUSTAINABLE FARMING: EMPOWERING HEMP FARMERS AND COMMUNITIES

A Sustainable Farming Program is a comprehensive approach to farming that focuses on sustainability, conservation, and ecological stewardship. The program emphasizes the use of best practices in land management, resource conservation, and environmental protection to ensure that farming practices are both economically viable and environmentally sustainable.

These programs may include a range of initiatives and practices, such as water conservation, soil health management, biodiversity conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and emissions reduction. These practices are designed to improve the long-term health and productivity of the land while also supporting the economic viability of the farm.

In the hemp industry, sustainable farming programs promote economically viable and environmentally sustainable practices. These programs provide resources, expertise, and support to farmers, enabling them to adopt sustainable practices that promote soil health, biodiversity, and conservation. Global leaders in certified agricultural supply chains like Control Union have assisted thousands of farms, of all sizes, in achieving commercial agricultural business status and winning contracts on the global market. The Responsible Hemp Standard (RHS), supported by organizations such as Control Union, can redefine the "quality" of hemp crops, making them more attractive to global brands and retailers with specific standards for ESG and other sourcing goals. Such strategies allow companies to produce better products for their customers. Certified farmers can achieve pricing premiums by promoting transparency and validation, which can stabilize the supply chain.

ESG COMMITMENT: HOW DEMONSTRATING CORPORATE VALUES CAN SET YOUR CROP APART

ESG: Not Just Politics, But a Reflection of Corporate Values. When it comes to sustainable agriculture, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is not just a buzzword. It's a powerful tool for demonstrating a commitment to corporate values and attracting discerning buyers. By prioritizing ESG in your farming practices, you can showcase that your crops align with the values of the brands you seek to partner with. This sets you apart from competitors and helps you stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Companies like PepsiCo have internal sourcing programs, such as the Sustainable Farming Program, that support the farmers in their supply chain by providing resources, expertise, and support to help them adopt sustainable practices. These programs are not only beneficial to the farmers, but also to the companies themselves as it helps them to secure a reliable supply chain of high-quality ingredients in the long run.

Yes, it is important for those in the hemp industry to not only attend trade shows and network with like-minded individuals, but also to take advantage of the resources and programs available to them. By working together and utilizing these tools, we can help to ensure the sustainability and success of the hemp industry for years to come.

In addition to these certification programs, there are also initiatives like the Hemp Exchange, which aims to connect farmers with buyers and facilitate transactions in a transparent and fair manner. This type of platform can help alleviate some of the challenges that farmers face in finding buyers and negotiating prices, ultimately leading to a more stable and sustainable supply chain.

As a member of the hemp and cannabis industry, it's clear to me that we need to reboot our approach. The archaic language that is currently 'regulating' the hemp space is not only sloppy, but it's also setting the industry as a whole up for failure in the long run. While some profiteers may have the resources to advance their agendas through legal teams, we can still make a positive impact by speaking up and advocating for change.

It's important for those in the hemp industry to not only attend trade shows and network with like-minded individuals, but also to take advantage of the resources and programs available to them. By working together and utilizing these tools, we can help to ensure the sustainability and success of the hemp industry for years to come.

Together, we can build a stronger and more sustainable industry for all.