Big Bend Real Estate Guide September 2020 | Page 21
Bishop utilizes organic growing practices, like this tub of earthworms, to make a nutrient rich
compost for his plants.
Bishop was pleased with the successful sprouting rate in this tray of hemp seedlings.
process to weeding out the best
varieties to grow in the high desert of
Big Bend.
This year’s goals are to finish his
greenhouse and water catchment
system and get to know the plant. He
chose seeds from the list of state
approved options and is already
noticing which varieties fare better
than others on hot days. His first
harvest is expected around October.
Bishop plans to grow a few crops
throughout the year but may end up
sitting out the hottest part of the
summer season.
“It’s going to be interesting to see
how this works,” he said.
Once he transplants his nursery
seedlings to his field in Alpine, he
dreams of integrating his existing
apiary. He believes that honey
produced from hemp nectar will be a
premium product.
Much of his plans center around
personal, rather than commercial, use,
until he figures out where he can scale
up. Yet his “garden” is still subject to
stringent regulation. Anyone who
wants to get involved in Texas hemp,
from farmers to processors and
resellers, must pass a background
check and submit to randomized
inspection of their business or fields.
There are several licenses and permits
required, including for anyone who
wishes to transport hemp in any form.
The licensing process was not
particularly prohibitive at the scale
Kevin is working on, he noted. It only
cost $100 per license or permit and
added up to just a few hundred dollars
in such fees so far. Testing the plants
for THC content will create additional
expenses.
Two weeks before harvest, plants
must be tested by state-approved labs
to guarantee THC content is at or
below the legal limit. This is the first
year of the hemp program in Texas,
and TDA will likely receive lots of
feedback on what works and doesn’t.
Next year may see some changes with
the many guidelines governing this
new industry.
Bishop is excited about the
possibilities despite the intense level of
scrutiny involved. “If I could help
friends with Parkinson’s and Lyme’s
disease and make building materials in
the process, it would be a dream come
true. I think this is going to work. I
know what not to do,” he said.
To find out more about
the state hemp program, visit
www.texasagriculture.gov.
WestTexasMoves.com • BigBendRealEstateGuide.com 21