Kansas Hemp Growers Regroup After a Boom-and-Bust Start
After early enthusiasm gave way to oversupply, a smaller group of Kansas hemp growers is charting a more sustainable path.
Kansas hemp growers are regrouping after a turbulent start to the industry, as early enthusiasm that led to oversupply and falling prices gave way to a smaller, more disciplined group of producers seeking a sustainable path.
When the crop was legalized for commercial production, many farmers rushed in, only to find limited processing capacity and a glut that crushed prices. The survivors have narrowed their focus, contracting with established buyers and concentrating on fiber and grain uses rather than speculative markets.
"Everybody learned the hard way that you need a buyer lined up before you plant," a grower said. Advocates believe hemp fiber for building materials and textiles could offer steadier demand.
The experience, farmers say, was a costly but instructive lesson in the difference between a promising crop and a proven market.
