tilth logo header

Summer 2019

Hemp Harmonic

Collaboration over competition gives hope to small Kentucky hemp farmers

August 22, 2019

Kentucky, the nation’s largest hemp producer in the 19th and 20th centuries, is back in the game with a new generation of innovators who have formed the country’s first organic hemp cooperative. Its mission: build on the past, educate for the future.

mowing
The Kentucky Organic Hemp Co-op was founded by Tony Silvernail, a certified organic transition trainer for the Organic Association of Kentucky, and Dr. Shawn Lucas of Kentucky State University. Together, they saw an opportunity for small farms to cooperate to meet the challenges of growing hemp in a highly competitive emerging market. Now in its early stages, the co-op consists of 16 operations, with approximately 60 acres in production.Photo by Rebecca Redding
close up hemp plant
Photo by Rebecca Redding
kentucky hemp field
By working together, members of the Kentucky Organic Hemp Co-op can sustain themselves financially as small growers in the budding hemp industry. Photos by Rebecca Redding
“If you’re not big, you’re just going to be overlooked,” said Silvernail. “I think that what we’re doing with the co-op, we can work together on issues — not on a small scale individually, but on a large scale collectively — and still be a force here in this industry as we move forward.” Photo by Rebecca Redding
tony silvernail
Because the hemp industry currently lacks transparency and places to turn to for help, the co-op's focus is on knowledge-sharing and education. With more than 40 years of growing expertise — including Kentucky hemp pioneers Craig Lee and Jane Herrod — co-op members are sharing their experience with best production practices, plant genetics, and harvesting methods with one another. In the future, the co-op plans to acquire specialized equipment for processing certified organic CBD products. Photo by Rebecca Redding
Craig Lee and Jane Herrod
"When organics was just starting here in Kentucky 20 years ago, people shared information," said Silvernail. "You get together, you talk, people shared what's working and what wasn't because there was not a lot of information out there." Photo by Rebecca Redding
tony silvernail 4 grid
“When organics was just starting here in Kentucky 20 years ago, people shared information,” said Silvernail. “You get together, you talk, people shared what’s working and what wasn’t because there was not a lot of information out there.” Photos by Rebecca Redding
hemp field and hoophouse
How do you get a group of farmers to grow organic? Start with hemp, or as Silvernail calls it “the gateway crop.” While working with producers on transitioning farms to organic, he sees more and more people getting into organics with hemp as a viable rotation crop. Photos by Rebecca Redding
hemp grid with dog, sky and man
“It’s been great from the perspective of hemp to break the ice and bring people into the organic realm to introduce them to what’s going on,” he said.
Photo by Rebecca Redding
Alice Collins-Mettille and Joe Mettille
Alice Collins-Mettille and Joe Mettille of Simply Bluegrass Farm worked on transitioning their operation to organic this past spring.Photo by Rebecca Redding
Back To Stories

Storyteller, brand manager, and content creator dedicated to social and environmental progress. Alyssa was a foundational member of Oregon Tilth's Communications & Marketing team from 2012-2021. She also shares her love for sustainable food systems and good design theory as the co-founder of Mainstem Malt.

2020: Building a Brighter Food Future issue cover

2020: Building a Brighter Food Future
Fall 2019: Social Equity issue cover

Fall 2019: Social Equity
Summer 2019: Hemp issue cover

Summer 2019: Hemp
Spring 2019: Human Resources issue cover

Spring 2019: Human Resources
Winter 2019: Farm Viability issue cover

Winter 2019: Farm Viability
Fall 2018: Social Equity issue cover

Fall 2018: Social Equity
Summer 2018: Mentorship issue cover

Summer 2018: Mentorship
Spring 2018: Fibers + Textiles issue cover

Spring 2018: Fibers + Textiles
Winter 2018: Supply Chains issue cover

Winter 2018: Supply Chains
Fall 2017: Social Equity issue cover

Fall 2017: Social Equity
Summer 2017: True Cost of Food issue cover

Summer 2017: True Cost of Food
Spring 2017: Cross-Pollinations issue cover

Spring 2017: Cross-Pollinations
Winter 2017: Transitions issue cover

Winter 2017: Transitions
Fall 2016: Food Literacy issue cover

Fall 2016: Food Literacy
Summer 2016: Farm Labor and Social Justice issue cover

Summer 2016: Farm Labor and Social Justice
Spring 2016: Institutions + Food issue cover

Spring 2016: Institutions + Food
Winter 2016: Leading Women in Food issue cover

Winter 2016: Leading Women in Food
Fall 2015: Max Market issue cover

Fall 2015: Max Market
In Good Tilth Perspectives: Nanopodcast issue cover

In Good Tilth Perspectives: Nanopodcast
In Good Tilth / Our Story

Advancing dialogue that supports equitable food & agriculture

In Good Tilth magazine reaches more than 9,000 readers in print and 17,000 online nationwide. We tell positive stories about sustainability, innovation and up-and-coming solutions for the complex challenges around food and farming.

Learn More