When it comes to hemp, the benefits are endless. Due to its naturally nourishing qualities, it's not only your body's new best friend but the environment's too. It does far more than the average agricultural crop.
Mt Elephant are huge advocates of hemp! Below they share all the wonderful things that make hemp such a gem for sustainable and regenerative farming.
Hemp requires minimal water
In comparison to other plant-based crops such as soy and almonds, hemp uses far less water to grow. Don’t get us wrong, without adequate water a hemp crop will not achieve great yields but in comparison to other water-hungry crops that are farmed, hemp is on the lower end of the spectrum.
Hemp nourishes our soil
Hemp plants have long taproots that help prevent erosion and clean the soil at the same time! It has been known to eliminate harmful man-made toxins from the soil and was famously used after a nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. The decomposing leaf matter that falls from the plant as it matures also is packed with nutrients that are returned to the soil, this can lead to richer yields in the following year.
Hemp actually purifies the air
Growing hemp can remove more carbon from the air than trees. For every tonne of hemp produced, 1.63 tonnes of carbon is removed from the air! It acts as a natural purifier for the world, giving us cleaner air to breathe.
Hemp has more than 25,000 different uses
Unlike almonds which are grown for food or cotton which is grown for fibre, every part of the hemp plant including its seeds, leaves, and stalk can be used for something. Not a single piece of this plant goes to waste! Most notably, hemp can be used for food, skincare, medicine, rope, clothing, building materials, biofuel, and plastic composites.
It's easy to sustainably farm
Hemp is a short rotational crop and only takes 4 months to grow. In Australia, it has been known to grow in both the summer and winter months. Hemp food varieties can be easily integrated into Australia’s current cropping enterprises as it uses the same sowing and harvesting machinery as traditional canola, barley, and wheat crops. Hemp is also not climate-sensitive and can be grown with and without irrigation depending on location, making it extremely versatile.
It can be grown without chemicals
Because hemp grows so quickly and forms a canopy shielding the sun from the soil beneath it, it gives weeds little chance to grow. This is one of a few reasons why hemp is easier to grow without using herbicides and pesticides.
It is incredible how much of a difference one small plant can make in the world. Together with our farmers, we are taking small steps towards a cleaner and greener environment for Australia.
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Mt. Elephant offers plant-based, naturally nourishing, and delicious food products that are designed to make the ordinary, extraordinary. Specially formulated to provide nutritional support to help your mind and body shine, all products are fuelled with the goodness of 100% Australian sown and grown hemp. You can check them out on instagram or online at www.mtelephant.com.au and you can use the code RYAUTUMN for 15% off the first order for new customers until 31/05/21