Missouri Hemp, Then & Now
The first reports of hemp being grown in Missouri as a crop date back to 1835 (USDA, 1914). Peak production in Missouri occurred in the mid-to-late-19th century. During this period, Missouri ranked second in the U.S. in hemp production after Kentucky. Missouri hemp production peaked just before the Civil War. In 1860, Missouri production totaled 19,267 tons, which was 26 percent of the total U.S. crop (Secretary of the Interior, 1864). The top five counties for hemp production were Saline County (3,920 tons), Lafayette County(3,558 tons), Platte County (1,793 tons), Pike County (1,758 tons), and Buchanan County (1,479 tons). Missouri hemp production decreased over time due to increased profitability of other crops, challenges with transporting hemp to Eastern markets, and unsatisfactory methods in cleaning fiber on hand brakes (USDA, 1914).
Missouri’s hemp production slipped to nearly zero by 1900.
Lexington
Civil War Battle of the Hemp Bales
The Hemp Industry Returns to Lafayette & Saline County
In 2020 Hemp Solutions was established, since then it has been dedicated to harnessing the potential of the hemp crop. A small-scale vertically integrated operation, we focus on researching the best practices for growing and processing this versatile crop. Our commitment to innovation allows us to develop high-quality products made from the materials we produce.
