Hemp growing in Sisters Country

A small hemp crop is growing east of Sisters, pioneering what may become a significant agricultural industry in the region.

The operation drew attention last week as helicopters were brought in at night for frost abatement. The rotors of a helicopter stir the air enough to prevent frost from forming on plants. The noise from the choppers over the Cloverdale Road area and landing to refuel at Sisters Eagle Airport in the early morning hours raised some ire among neighbors, but grower Matt Cyrus told The Nugget that the aerial operations are over.

Cyrus said that the helicopters were brought in as a short-term frost-abatement method.

"(We) anticipated that it would only be a couple of nights," Cyrus said, noting that he instructed pilots to try to avoid flying right over people's houses. "We've used it probably 10 times as much as we anticipated."

That raised concern among some local people that helicopters will be a regular feature of ongoing operations. According to Cyrus, that is not the case. The prospect of a longer-term need prior to harvest in mid-October led to a change in the operation.

"Given the long-term forecast for more frost, we've ordered some wind-generating machines," Cyrus said.

Those machines were to be in place by last Tuesday, which Cyrus said will remove the need for a disruptive, costly aerial operation.

Cyrus told The Nugget that his family is raising industrial hemp on about 30 acres.

"We're one of a few farmers in Central Oregon and one of I think 77 farmers statewide," he said.

Industrial hemp is distinct from its relative, marijuana; by regulation it can only contain a tiny percentage of THC, the chemical compound that creates the high associated with marijuana use. Cyrus said his crop contains .3 percent THC, below the mandated limit.

"It's regulated by the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and they evaluate the THC levels before harvest," he said.

Hemp has myriad uses - from paper products and clothing made out of the fiber to food (hemp hearts are featured at Costco) to use of hemp oil for industrial lubrication and skin-care products.

Industrial hemp-derived CBD oils are believed to have a range of medicinal benefits in treating chronic conditions.

In addition to having broad market potential, the crop is farmer-friendly, Cyrus notes. It uses little water. Cyrus said he is using only 10 to 20 percent as much water on his hemp acreage as he would if it was in pasture or hay. And the crop does not severely deplete the soil, allowing multiple replantings on the same fields.

Given the extensive potential of the crop, Cyrus said, "I know dozens more farmers who are expecting to raise it next year."

However, frost and moisture sensitivity raise question marks for the viability of the crop in Central Oregon. The Cyrus crop will be an indicator.

"It has the potential to reinvigorate production agriculture in Central Oregon," Cyrus said. "IF, in fact, we can produce it - but at this point that's an unknown."

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

• Email: editor@nuggetnews.com
• Phone: 5415499941