Intoxicating hemp products like drinks and other consumables seem to be getting most of the attention in the media and political circles these days. However, the hemp plant has far more uses than just making pre-rolls and beverages.
South Dakota currently produces more industrial hemp than any other state in the U.S., and a new hemp processing facility in Winfred, South Dakota will help further boost the state’s domestic hemp industry.
“We can turn hemp stalks into materials for animal bedding, hempcrete, bioplastics, you name it,” said Ken Meyer, the owner and operator of the Winfred hemp processing facility, according to local reporting by South Dakota Searchlight. “Right here in South Dakota.”
The processing facility is named ‘Complete Hemp Processing’ and the center’s mission, according to its website, is as follows:
- Provide Competitive Contracts for Farmers
- Provide Resources for Quality Hemp Grain & Fiber Seeds
- Provide Clean, ready-to-use Fiber and Hurd for the Industrial Hemp Market
“Complete Hemp Processing, LLC is a 4th generation family owned business with over 90 years of experience in the Agricultural Industry.” the facility states on its website’s ‘about us’ page. “Our company’s heritage of ingenuity and willingness to develop new ideas is what led us to build a State of the Art Decortication Facility for Industrial Hemp — Supporting the Industrial Hemp Farmers in our South Dakota Agricultural Community.”
According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s 2024 Hemp Report, a total of $445.4 million worth of hemp was cultivated across the United States, of which $416.7 million was cultivated ‘in the open’ and the rest was cultivated ‘under protection.’
Texas planted the most hemp out of any state, but South Dakota harvested considerably more hemp during 2024. Texas planted 4,900 acres and harvested 1,500 acres last year, compared to South Dakota, which planted 3,900 acres and harvested 3,700 acres. South Dakota’s hemp industry yielded 3,840 pounds of harvest per acre in 2024.