Derndorf - Hand on heart: Many people who hear “hemp” (cannabis) first think of catchwords such as drugs, weed, marijuana.
The plant has so much more to offer than mind-expanding intoxication.
But let's first make a little digression into drug science before we turn to the much more exciting attributes of the hemp plant.
What does hemp have to do with drugs?
It is true that certain types of cannabis can be used to induce intoxication.
Two factors are important here: gender and THC content.
Only the flowers of the female plants contain the psychoactive ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which induces intoxication.
The active ingredient is usually consumed in the form of hashish (dried resin) or marijuana (dried leaves, flowers and inflorescences) in combination with tobacco.
In many countries the use of cannabis has now been decriminalized, especially since the socially accepted drug alcohol can cause more damage if accident statistics and medical studies are to be believed.
Hemp as a useful plant and food
Hemp is one of the oldest useful plants in the world.
It can be processed into yarn, medicines or food.
Distilled leaves are used to make essential oil, while the seeds are used to make cooking oil.
The fibrous stems can be spun into wool, which is processed into ropes, insulating material or clothing.
A successful model from the region
Albert and Alice Lochbrunner show how hemp becomes a versatile food at the BestHans Hof in Derndorf.
The couple began to professionalize hemp cultivation three years ago and expand their marketing strategies.
It all started when a well-known chef approached Albert Lochbrunner in 2013 and said he wanted to make pesto out of hemp.
Since the Lochbrunners had been toying with the idea of growing hemp on a large scale for a long time, the cook ran into "open barn doors" at the time, recalls Albert Lochbrunner.
His wife Alice was immediately hooked as well, because she had grown fond of the plant many years ago because of its special aesthetics.
From the freak ...
Albert Lochbrunner comes from a farm. The Besthans Biohof has been producing organic grain for more than 30 years and houses horned original Brown Swiss cattle on its pastures for meat production. Lochbrunner started his first field trials in hemp cultivation on a federal highway. At the time, however, it also attracted many people who were more familiar with hemp because of its intoxicating effects. Countless plants were torn out or trampled on. Neighboring farmers viewed Lochbrunner as crazy and were amused by the fact that so many passers-by stopped at the hemp fields.
The police were also on the mat a short time later.
There was a complaint about the cultivation of intoxicants.
But Lochbrunner was able to prove that the cultivation was purely agricultural and the plants were not bred for a high THC value.
The police came back the following year.
This time she referred Lochbrunner to the Agriculture Office because he simply didn't have the time to constantly prove his innocence.
At that time, the 41-year-old was still working full-time as an IT project manager.
... to a businessman
When he gave up his studied profession three years ago, he first planted three hectares of fields with hemp. When the Lochbrunners recorded a record harvest in 2018, the decision was made: “We grow hemp professionally!” Recalls Alice. But the young farmer, who quit his IT job for his project, was often frustrated at first because there were no role models in his environment to orientate himself on. He had to make all the rookie mistakes himself. But the will and a healthy portion of heart and soul were the best engine. And don't forget: a network of helpful farmers. A brave combine harvester dared to tackle the fibrous hemp stalks. A farmer friend made his oil press available. Another peeled the hemp and made flour and egg white powder.Then as now, a lot is still done by hand: from filling the oil bottles to labeling the products.
Little by little, the couple got into direct marketing, initially selling hemp oil and hemp seeds.
Since the Lochbrunners have always made noodles from their grain, Alice came up with the idea of refining the noodles with hemp flour and wild herbs - with success.
The trained advertising designer also had the logo for the hemp products in her mind's eye: a dove with a hemp leaf in its beak.
The good properties also come into play in processed products such as pasta, pesto or hemp bars.
The Lochbrunners want to continuously expand their range and look forward to suggestions or new ideas.
Melanie Springer-Restle
