It’s early August, and the air is filled with the sounds of birds singing and the lively chatter of people working in a flowering hemp field in eastern Slovenia. A diverse group is harvesting the female hemp flowers by hand, carefully cutting the tops to extract essential oils. Alenka, a trained chemist turned hemp farmer, initiated this communal harvest, unintentionally bringing together individuals once divided by the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s. As they work, old stories resurface, weaving history into the present. The scent of freshly harvested hemp fills the air, reinforcing a sense of connection and purpose, as new hemp enthusiasts learn sustainable farming practices they will soon apply to their own fields.
A week later, near Inner Mongolia in China, a fleet of hemp harvesters moves methodically through rows of millions of male hemp plants. Just as in Slovenia, the Chinese fields have begun to flower, sending thick yellow clouds of pollen into the air. Here, however, it is the male plants that take priority, as their fiber is highly sought after for textiles. Despite mechanization, manpower remains essential. At the end of each row, workers rush forward with heavy-duty pruning knives and machetes, clearing the harvesters’ moving parts from the strong, fibrous stalks that frequently clog the machines. The timing of the harvest is crucial—properly collected fiber ensures high-quality textile production.
A month passes, and back in Europe, Austrian farmer Michael prepares his custom-built hemp harvester. His fields are heavy with ripe hemp seeds, formed from the flowers that had filled the valley with their scent weeks earlier. His son rides along on the tractor, keeping a close eye on the seed collector, which frequently jams due to the sticky, terpene-rich nuts. After two hours of harvesting, the machine grinds to a halt. Michael and his son already know the culprit—the notorious hemp fibers have wrapped around the tractor shaft, interfering with its operation. Lying beneath the tractor, tools in hand, they work together to clear the fibers, emerging red-faced but determined to continue the harvest.
Michael’s family farm did not always grow hemp. Declining milk prices and worsening soil health forced them to search for an alternative crop that aligned with their commitment to local, sustainable farming. A university research project introduced them to hemp, and soon the entire family was involved in its cultivation. They began transforming the plant into oil, bread, cookies, tea, schnapps, and flour. Their small farm shop, once a quiet roadside stop, soon attracted customers from across the region, eager to purchase high-quality, locally produced hemp foods.
The same phenomenon played out for Alenka, whose public hemp harvest drew participants from as far as Croatia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. The legal landscape had shifted—once vilified, hemp was reintroduced in the early 1990s as a legal agricultural crop, recognized for its ability to improve soil health while reducing water, fertilizer, and chemical use. China, the global leader in textile hemp production, also highlights the crop’s sustainability. Despite its massive scale, Chinese hemp farming largely avoids herbicides and pesticides. While irrigation and limited fertilization are used in some areas, hemp remains one of the most ecologically sound industrial crops.
Hemp’s resilience lies in its natural defense system. Its trichomes—tiny, resin-producing glands found on flowers and leaves—help deter pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical treatments. By selecting well-adapted varietals suited to different industrial applications, hemp can help drive a much-needed transformation in modern agriculture. As the world grapples with soil depletion, water contamination, and excessive reliance on synthetic inputs, hemp offers a model for regenerative farming—a path toward restoring ecological balance while meeting the growing demand for sustainable materials and food sources.
On a Personal Note
Beyond its environmental benefits, hemp cultivation—especially during harvest—has become a global gathering point for people from diverse backgrounds who share a commitment to systemic change in addressing our socio-ecological crises. While documenting the Chinese hemp harvest, I witnessed production teams from leading eco-conscious textile brands come together to film and photograph the process of harvesting fiber for sustainable outdoor clothing. Similarly, in Slovenia, Alenka’s public hemp harvest unintentionally reunited individuals once divided by war.
These experiences highlight hemp’s unique ability to foster transparency in production and create a neutral space where people from different walks of life can collaborate. Hemp transcends political and cultural barriers, offering a platform for collective problem-solving—one rooted in sustainability, community, and the shared vision of a more regenerative future.
As a Climate Impact Storyteller, Maren Krings leverages her expertise in photography, filmmaking, content writing, and keynote speaking to highlight the potential of hemp for climate resilience and social justice. She holds a B.F.A. in Photography from the Savannah College of Art & Design, a degree in Climate Change Studies and Environmental Science from the University of Exeter, and multiple certifications in related fields.
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