FROM THE GROUND UP

Umatilla’s Treadwell Farms Harvests First Hemp Crop

- HEATHER MACHOVINA

IN JUNE OF 2019, Florida Gov. DeSantis signed into law that a hemp program would be created in Florida beyond just the pilot projects that were happening with some of the universities. At the beginning of 2020, rules were finished for hemp processing facilities, allowing Treadwell Farms to obtain a hemp food permit authorizing them to create their products and accept hemp material from farmers. The licensure for hemp cultivation wasn’t available until months later though, so farmers anxiously waited to grow. Treadwell Farms received one of the first hemp cultivation licenses issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in May 2020.

Treadwell Farms blossomed from a long family history rooted in Florida farming. They have been farming here for more than 100 years, starting in foliage and tropical plants and now bursting their way into the Florida hemp industry. Today, Treadwell Farms is run by a father/daughter duo who are using their agricultural traditions, passions, and experiences to build a community of successful hemp farmers here in the Sunshine State.

Over the past few months, Jammie Treadwell, co-owner of Treadwell Farms, has been working closely at her farm and helping many other new hemp farmers in the area, too. As this is the first season and harvest in Florida, there have definitely been some challenges at Treadwell and partnering farms. The first and most important hurdle was getting through the licensure process. This included having property that is zoned for agriculture and a management team that can pass background checks.