The year 2020 has held crazy changes for everyone globally. For the Tates, crazy changes have been normal for years! 2020 did look different for Twin Pines Hemp Co, but you might be surprised to know that this post doesn’t really have anything to do with the pandemic.
(Thank goodness! We’ve all heard enough about that anyway!)
So why was this year unique?
Happy Harvest Time
When you think of fall, do you think of the harvesting season? Last harvesting season was a time of joy for the whole Tate family.
“As I’m watching people harvest their crops this year, I’m feeling sad because we’re not doing it too. Harvest, for me, was a favorite part of the whole process because it was such a ‘family’ event. Our kids participated and they learned so many lessons, especially in work ethic.”
Madison describes a happy scene of the whole family working together during the harvest.
“There was laughing, singing, the kid’s grandparents were there helping…it was just a fun family experience. Now that I’m seeing other farmers harvest this season, it’s hitting me. I’m bummed that we didn’t plant this year.”
What Happened?
“We did have plans for experimentation with different hemp strains, but the timing just wasn’t right.”
With the trajectory of CBD sales looking bright for the future, why the decision not to plant?
Lack of Own Land
In 2019, Twin Pines Hemp Co started their first-ever hemp crop on a plot of leased land. It was an incredible opportunity to farm alongside like-minded people who also farmed hemp.
The harvest went well and produced an adequate amount of hemp flower.
While they could lease more land this year, they’ve decided not to. Instead, they decided to use the hemp flower that they already have.
Maintaining a Sustainability Mindset
Growing more hemp this year while already having more than enough raw materials to make products just didn’t make sense.
“It felt wasteful and silly to plant this year. Right now, across the [San Juan] Valley, so many farms are sitting on raw material. It’s going to end up wasted. We are not for wasting! We would rather seek out other farms that are like-minded; farms that want to grow sustainably and organically.”
One of the pillars of Twin Pines Hemp Co is sustainable farming. Sustainable farming is basically being a good steward of the land. Not wasting the crop is only a fraction of what is good, sustainable agriculture.
“We have a ton of raw material to make products that will last us a while. If we happened to need more material, we could partner with another farm. We are all for finding different solutions in order to be more ‘green’ in our hemp production.”
The Timing Wasn’t Right This Year
The Tate family are a semi-nomadic family, living their lives between Texas and Colorado. With a total of 10 trips back and forth between states, running two other companies, and raising and schooling 3 kids, hemp farming was not in the books this year.
“We had a lot going on this year. As a family, we needed to take a break. This year wasn’t the right year.”
What does the future hold?
The Tates have dreams of owning their own farm someday.
“Our prayer and hope for the future is to have our own acreage to grow more hemp and farm other things. There’s so much potential!”
The next time they farm hemp, they will try to create different strains. When it comes to CBD strains, the possibilities are endless. Madison is very excited to continue to research this topic.
What about you?
What sort of things have you missed out on this season? Why? What things do you hope for next year? Let’s show-and-tell in the comments! We’d love to hear from you.
Our commitment to you!
Rest assured, at Twin Pines Hemp Co., we will keep bringing you the best CBD products from the western slope of Colorado!
If you have any CBD-related questions, don’t hesitate to contact us now!
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