CAVE CITY, Ky. — One Kentucky man said he’s farming a crop that saved his dad’s life.
What You Need To Know
- Chad Wilson is a Hemp Farmer in Cave City
- Throughout the pandemic, Wilson and his farm have faced difficulties
- Wilson believes Hemp should be a basic crop for farmers
- Wilson has two storefronts called Hippie Joes and Green Remedy
Chad Wilson is one of the many farmers that has had a difficult year thanks to the pandemic.
“It’s never an 8-hour day, it's 10 to 12 hours a day just to put that good quality pesticide-free food on your table,” Wilson said.
For several years, Wilson has invested thousands into his hemp farm. Over the years he's been able to make an honest living, but because of COVID-19 shutdowns and some backlash on hemp products, Wilson and his family have faced challenges.
“It’s literally just me, my son and my wife," Wilson said. "We do Farmers Markets, we do events. we run the farm, we mow the farm, as you see when you are driving in we got a lot to mow, 16 hours every 10 to 12 days just on a mower."
Wilson said hemp farming is more than just a way to make a living — the products have changed his life. Growing up, Wilson and his family were anti hemp, but that was until a few years ago.
“In 2015 My father had a stroke and lost all ability to speak and talk,” Wilson said.
10 days after that, Wilson started giving his dad his hemp CBD products, and his father started speaking again.
“Would I have my daddy? I’m pretty sure I wouldn't because we wouldn’t have been in the position to have this knowledge base nor the product and I am just very thankful that my life changed,” Wilson said.
Wilson shares stories of people recovering from seizures and other medical conditions using hemp products from his crop, though there are limited scientific studies to back up the claims.
Wilson believes that hemp should be a staple crop in all small farms to make a positive change.
“In my past, everything that I’ve done for the hemp industry it just feels like it was almost for not, you know but it’s OK. It’s gonna be back because it’s too good of an agricultural crop to deny,” Wilson said.
Wilson operates two storefronts through his farm, called Hippie Joes and Green Remedy, with not only his products but items from other nonprofits and local businesses within the community for sale.