German farmer revives hemp cultivation for sustainable industrial use

A farmer in northern Germany has begun growing hemp for the first time this year. Jan Winkelmann, 32, planted the crop on his fields between Schneverdingen and Wolterdingen as part of a new business venture. Unlike cannabis, this variety—known as fibre hemp—contains almost no THC and is grown for industrial use instead.

Winkelmann is cultivating Cannabis Sativa under contract for a Dutch company. The plant, once a key raw material in the 17th and 18th centuries, was later banned in Germany in 1929 due to its association with THC. Today, its cultivation remains tightly regulated by the state.

The hemp will be harvested in winter, provided there is enough frost. A maize chopper attachment will cut the stalks, which are rich in cellulose. This makes them valuable for producing eco-friendly paper and textiles. The fibres can also blend easily with other natural materials, unlike cotton. Beyond textiles, hemp seeds yield oil suitable for human consumption and medicinal use. Winkelmann hopes this new crop will become a steady economic pillar for his farm in Grops.

The trial marks a return to an old tradition with modern applications. If successful, Winkelmann’s hemp could supply industries looking for sustainable materials. The strict controls around its growth ensure the crop stays within legal and agricultural limits.