How South Dakota Became The US’s Top Hemp Producer In Just Three Years
South Dakota, one of the last states to legalize hemp, has surged to the forefront of national production. Within just three years, it claims the title of top hemp fiber producer, showcasing the state’s favorable conditions and the dedication of its farmers, positioning it as a key player in the hemp industry.
Pioneering South Dakota’s Hemp Farming Success
John Peterson, a fifth-generation farmer and treasurer for South Dakota Industrial Hemp Association (SDIHA), shared his experience with South Dakota News Watch. Starting with 40 acres in 2021, his farm, Dakota Hemp LLC, expanded to 450 acres by 2024. His decision came after attending an industrial hemp growers meeting, which presented a promising future for fiber and grain hemp production.
“I realized mid-season (in 2021) that this crop is going to thrive here in S.D. and fits very well into a crop rotation on a large-scale across the …