Phase 2 is underway in Martin County, FL! This property on the rim canal of Lake Okeechobee was acquired in May 2020 and has been in development since. It is now in the transition phase, going from making the property functional with water, electricity, and shelter to now trying to actually get some plant and research work done.

        Hemp4Water is growing a lot of different varieties to find the best plants to grow well in the hot, humid, over irrigated, mucky swamp. This environment is fairly specific to the work and goals of our organization because we are researching ways to clean out the excess Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Florida waterways. We need hemp plants that are going to grow well enough in the environment that they can take up a lot of N and P during their lifecycle, removing it from the water they are growing in.

So far, the research trials have shown some good possibilities and a couple of crosses that look promising. We crossed Tenacious with ACDC, and a CBG/industrial cross that has interests peaked right now. There’s also a couple of other varieties that weren’t expected to thrive but are doing well to date. A strain that another hemp researcher has been working on for several years here in Florida, perfect for the strenuous heat and humidity, is showing great survivability in the poor soils at the Martin County facility and will be tested in the water in future trials. Right now, there are several different varieties growing across the property, a few of which have several plants growing. The best of these plants will be used to develop the mothers, so that we can do clones easily. One is called Tallahassee (which is the commercial side of Tenacious), and the other is called Destin, both doing very well. Overall, we have identified some genetics that look like they are going to do great, ranging from pure industrial strains to some that might have other qualities. They are all expected to survive on the bio-islands as well. Many people have and are interested in donating genetics, so we’ll have plenty of different plants to look at and observe and collect data on for Phase 2.

Currently, the research trials in Martin County are being conducted in soil only. Permitting has to be granted by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the UnitedStates Army Corps of Engineers in order for Hemp4Water to use and conduct work in the water at the Martin County property. Both permits are necessary to begin using the water.

Phase 2 also encompasses scaling up the project. How do we get there? Volunteers!

As development at the Martin County site continues, we will be looking for volunteers to help us expand in the future. People who want to help plant hemp when its time, learn more about hemp, or even share their knowledge or interest in hemp are welcome to contact Steve Edmonds at steve@hemp4water.org for more information on future opportunities.

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