Six cultivars of medicinal hemp are being harvested on a farm operated by Arkansas Hemp Genetics, LLCin rural northwestern Washington County. After a century-long prohibition, hundreds of thousands of acres of hemp are under cultivation across the U.S., including over 3,000 acres in Arkansas.
Arkansas's First Major Hemp Crop Is Harvested
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Russ Lindsey and Erin McClure lop down rows of green bushy on a farm operated by Arkansas Hemp Genetics.
J. Froelich / KUAF
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Four acres of hemp are planted on three different plots on the 11-acre farm
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A third of the hemp is growing in canvas containers to compare plant development to field-grown hemp.
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Resin from the hemp flower will be crushed to extract medicinal cannabidiol or CBD.
J. Froelich / KUAF
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A healthy hemp flower in full bloom.
J. Froelich / KUAF
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The hemp is cured in 3,000 square-foot hoop houses.
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The new 11-acre hemp farm is protected with surveillance.
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Rick Funderburg is director of operations for Arkansas Hemp Genetics.
J. Froelich / KUAF
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Caleb Cole, field manager, checks curing hemp inside the hoop house.
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Freshly cut hemp plants are hung upside down to dry in one of two hoop houses.
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A crew of temporary farm workers trim branches off freshly harvested hemp stalks.
J. Froelich / KUAF
