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Tag: Gulf Coast Hemp Farms

Exploring the Lone Star State’s Green Frontier of Texas Hemp Farms, by Grace Gonzales

Written by Grace Gonzales on . Posted in Agriculture. No Comments on Exploring the Lone Star State’s Green Frontier of Texas Hemp Farms, by Grace Gonzales

As the cultivation of hemp continues to grow, Texas is emerging as a frontier for innovation in the hemp industry.  With the legalization of hemp cultivation in Texas, there has been a rapid expansion of the industry which includes a surge of curiosity among consumers, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts alike.

For those who are eager to take part in the journey of hemp, from seed to the final product, there are a handful of hemp farms that offer a unique opportunity to explore the world of hemp from the lens of processing to the innovative methods used in this expanding industry. Participants may have the opportunity to touch, smell, and even taste different hemp varieties, gaining a deeper understanding of the plant’s diverse properties and applications.

According to Texas Monthly Magazine, there are 1,123 licensed hemp growers in the state, but many of them have seemingly been reticent to fully commit to the crop. Only two thousand of the five thousand acres designated for hemp growing were planted in 2020, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture.

At most hemp farms, visitors can stroll through fields of swaying hemp plants, learning about cultivation techniques and crop management practices for hemp. They can witness the harvesting process of curing the hemp biomass for further processing and participants can observe the extraction of CBD oil and other valuable compounds, as well as the production of hemp-derived products. They can also learn about the latest extraction methods, quality control measures, and regulatory compliance requirements. Participants learn about the agricultural and environmental benefits of hemp cultivation, including its ability to improve soil health, sequester carbon, and reduce the need for pesticides and fertilizers. They also gain insights into the potential uses of hemp in industries that range from textiles and construction to food and fuel.

Here is a short list of hemp farms in Texas that may offer specialized tours and or hemp products for the hemp enthusiast. There may be an extensive list of hemp farms published in a later issue or you can go to the Texas Hemp Growers Association webpage for more information.

  • Pur Isolabs, Bergheim, TX- offers hemp CBD products made from plants that are grown on-site, according to their website. They are open from Monday through Friday, from 11 to 5:30 pm, and on Saturdays, from 11 to 3 and 5 pm. Call them for more information got to: https://purisolabs.com/

 

  • Bayou City Hemp Co-Houston TX- Their focus on quality begins at the farm and continues throughout the process. The company invites you to connect with them so that you can experience their commitment the product for yourself. To schedule a tour or for general information, you can go to: https://www.bayoucityhemp.com/contact

  • Alamo Hemp Tours, San Antonio, -Alamo Hemp Tours is currently improving its tour experience and will update its schedule soon. For more information go to: /alamo-hemp-tours

 

  • VJ Farms, Palestine, Texas- According to their website, the story of VJ Farms begins in 1965 when the owner’s grandparents purchased land with the G.I. allowing them to purchase 72 acres in Anderson County that would initially serve as the family getaway. For more information or to schedule a tour go to: https://www.vjfarmstexas.com/

 

 

  • CBC Texas Farms, Laredo TX- For five generations, the company has been a steward of the land, and their venture into hemp farming compliments the established ranching and deer operations and they continue the family tradition. For more information go to: https://www.cbdtexasfarms.com/

  • Power Bio Farms, Euless, TX-Power Bio Farms was founded to bring local, premium, legal, and licensed high-quality CBD to more Texans, hand-crafted small batch products from seed to shelf with the utmost care, quality, and transparency. For more information, go to: www.powerbiopharms.com

Whether you’re a seasoned hemp enthusiast or a curious newcomer, these tours may offer valuable insights and new experiences, or opportunities for to learn all about the hemp industry. As the hemp industry continues to thrive in Texas, Texas Hemp Tours can be a vital lifeline for education and advocacy including community building that helps to shape the future of hemp in the Lone Star State and beyond.

Texas Hemp Tours have risen to meet this growing demand, providing an insider’s glimpse into the fascinating world of hemp production and innovation. You now have a chance to visit hemp farms first hand to witness the awe of the processing facilities, research labs, and limited product manufacturing sites to learn about every step of the hemp supply chain which includes the planting, harvesting, extraction, and product formulation of hemp cultivation. Some of these tours inspire participants to support the growth of the hemp industry and advocate for policy changes that foster its proper development.

By showcasing sustainable farming practices, responsible business ethics, and local entrepreneurship hemp tours can provide a platform for collaboration among industry stakeholders, fostering connections between farmers, processors, manufacturers, retailers, policymakers, and consumers. By bringing communities together, these tours catalyze innovation, stimulate economic growth, and build a stronger, more resilient hemp community in Texas.

Texas hemp news

Owner of Gulf Coast Hemp Farms Works to Redeem Family Legacy

Written by Rachel Nelson on . Posted in Cultivation.

By Rachel Nelson

Frank Rodriguez and his family have paid the ultimate price for farming marijuana. Collectively, Rodriguez said his father, his brothers and himself have spent decades in federal prison for their crimes. But today, Rodriguez is redeeming his family legacy through his legal business, Gulf Coast Hemp Farms in Harlingen, Texas. 

“I spent 10 years in federal prison for doing what I’m doing now,” he said. “This is very, very important to me. … It means the world to me. I’m very passionate about what I do. I love my job. I love the scientific part of the plant. I love to research the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavanoids.”

When it comes to his farm, Rodriguez said there’s no place on Earth he’d rather be. 

“I live here on my farm. I don’t really leave too much from my farm. I’m here 20 hours a day, every day. I really don’t sleep. I’m just kind of vibing with my plants.”

Flourishing fields

When he launched his current business, Rodriguez said he tested seven different seed strains from Halcyon Seed Company in Colorado to see which would work best in the South Texas drought-prone climate. 

“Out of my seven strains, four did well,” he said. 

According to Rodriguez, planting 2,500 plants per acre is a widespread best practice in hemp farming. However, he said he came up with a way to plant 9,000-10,000 plants on a one-acre plot of land. 

“Everyone was telling me I was crazy and wouldn’t be able to do it,” he said. “I have a beautiful field right now. I don’t have patches or dead plants. My field is complete.”

While there are concerns about the lack of essential air flow in overcrowded fields — which can lead to root rot — Rodriguez engineered a way to make it work. In late September, he began harvesting 85,000 plants from his 10-acre farm. 

He also nurtures his plants with plenty of TLC, even playing music for them.

“Whatever I’m vibing to, whatever I’m feeling, I just play something that makes me feel good,” Rodriguez said. “I figured plants are alive, so they work off the vibration. So, you just put some good vibration for them, and they’ll be fine.”

Rodriguez said the yields from his hemp farming operation in Harlingen are used to create CBD-infused oils, and he works with a business partner in Oklahoma to grow cannabis.

“I have 10 greenhouses and a 6,000 square-foot warehouse, and I grow all my high-quality flower up there,” he said. 

Plants over pills

Rodriguez said his nephew’s journey with post-traumatic stress disorder ignited a passion for exploring hemp’s medicinal benefits. He said his nephew served in the U.S. Marine Corps and is haunted by horrific wartime experiences.

“He spazes out a lot, and the medicine I make really calms him down and makes him a totally different person. The VA prescribed him so many different pills, and he was a zombie.”

Lately, Rodriguez said he has been working with a few doctors and cancer specialists to develop products for patients.

“The sky is the limit as we’re discovering what all the different cannabinoids do. I just want to keep pushing and keep discovering and see how I can make existing medicine better or create a new medicine from my plants.”

When he was shopping around for land to start his business, Rodriguez said he experienced a special synchronicity when he learned that a prospective piece of property was owned by Dr. Nadeel Sarhill, a medical oncologist. The pair worked out a lease-to-own agreement in a seemingly meant-to-be transaction.

“This is God’s plan. I can not see it any other way,” he said. “I’m growing a CBG strain, and it’s doing very well. It’s known to help with brain cell reproduction and chronic pain.”

Rodriguez noted that there are many cannabinoids inside the hemp plant, but only a few have been researched.

“I just want to push forward and continue to grow and to help move our industry to a better spot,” Rodriguez said. 

An evolving legacy

For Rodriguez, his passion for farming hemp and cannabis stretch much further than providing a quality product to customers. 

“My mom’s really sick. She had a heart attack last year. She’s felt her whole life was a failure because my dad, brothers and I did so much time in prison, but she didn’t fail. She didn’t do anything wrong. It was us; it was the laws.”

Looking back, Rodriguez said he tries to put himself in his mother’s shoes. 

“I could just imagine what my mom went through as a mother,” he said. “Imagine always having to defend your kids, your husband, your whole family. Eveyrone’s talking down. Just imagine what it was like for a single parent. I just couldn’t even imagine being in her shoes and what she went through, and I just want to bust ass and make things better for her. 

All photos courtesy Gulf Coast Hemp Farms

“I want to make her proud. I want to make her feel like what she went through wasn’t for nothing. To make the remainder of her years as joyful as possible — that’s all I care about.”