Hemp (Cannabis sativa) is a fiber crop that has been grown abundantly throughout agricultural history. Known as humanity's oldest agriculturally domesticated crop, hemp is perhapsle the most versatile crop on the planet. Producing nutritious, life-giving grain rich in essential Omega 3 fatty acids, it has been a staple food for most of mankind's history. Further, its stalks produce multi purpose fibers which were historically used for ropes, sails, clothing, and so much more. Civilization itself probably could not have survived and persisted without this magical crop. Now, in the 21st century, we, also, will need hemp to survive. Chanvra is here to help re-introduce this life giving crop into our everyday lives.

For almost all of it's long history of human cultivation, hemp was used only for its nutrient rich seeds and strong, versatile stalks. It was only very recently when the concept of cultivating hemp for its flowers was introduced. This is how we came to acquire the familiar psychoactive and medicinal forms of cannabis; CBD, marijuana, etc. All of these products are made from the flowers of the cannabis plant. To call these products hemp- or to compare hemp to marijuana- would be similar to calling corn whiskey, or saying that corn must be whiskey. While these products certainly have their place- for cancer patients, for instance- the problem with growing cannabis for flowers is that this method of cultivation directs all of the plant's energy towards producing these flowers. The result is that the plants grown this way have relatively weak stalks, and generally produce no seeds at all. The Chanvra Cooperative offers only hemp materials that have been grown in the traditional fashion that produces strong, versatile fibers. This natural form of growing hemp is sometimes called industrial hemp but an even better word would be natural hemp, since this is the natural style in which the plant likes to grow.

Hemp is a bast fiber plant. Bast Fibers have long stalks consisting of two main layers: an outer layer and an inner layer. Each of these layers perform different functions in the plant's life cycle. Once the plant has been harvested, these different layers have different applications. The Hemp Core- also known as hemp hurd or hempshives- is the inner layer of the hemp stem, and is extremely absorbent. The Hemp Bast is the outer layer of the hemp stem which is also absorbent but which has some moisture repellent properties as well, which are useful. Click on the images below to learn more about each parts of the plant and how you can use them.