Story By Lex Feuchter
Tucked by Alumni Lane, a small traveling green house sat for a week. Its name, the Hemp Casita. It was a prized guest of DVU’s Cannabis program. The construction itself is entirely made from industrial hemp and made its way onto many college campuses to showcase hemp as an environmentally friendly material.
While the hemp house made a quick pit stop at Delaware Valley University, its short presence had a purpose. It introduced students to industrial hemp and its ecological benefits, peaking interest for horticulture majors on campus.
“Hempcrete gives an opportunity to teach the community about all the things that can be made out of hemp fiber,” said Dr. Garzon.
“Some of my students are interested in using different materials derived from hemp, not just from construction but for many other uses. This is a great experiential learning opportunity for all the students not just from the cannabis program but also our campus.”
Originating at Kansas State University, the project began with a group of KSU students who wanted to demonstrate the many benefits of hemp. Industrial hemp is a resourceful crop and utilized for different materials outside of plant related resources. “Recently at DelVal, the Cannabis Research Program offers horticultural majors to work with hemp (non-intoxicating cannabis).” For students interested in industrial hemp, DelVal welcomes a cannabis specialization both for full time and half-time students.
Despite its social stigma in America, industrial hemp is a multifaceted crop, with several uses outside of plant products. While marijuana and hemp originate from the same plant, hemp has no recreational drug effects.
The Cannabis Research Program is led by Dr. Carla Garzon, a plant science professor at Delaware Valley University. She is a part of hemp related courses, Cannabis I and II, Greenhouse Management, Hydroponics, and Medicinal Plants Practicum. Students gain a deeper understanding of plant pathology and explore the different aspects of industrial hemp. Students can experiment with industrial hemp by using it for various products in the classroom.
“The students learn to make food quality grain and extract oil. They get to make flour, powder and lip balm too,” said Dr. Garzon.
Hempcrete is a construction entirely made from hemp and lime, used for interior buildings. It is lightweight, fire resistant and provides good insulation. Hempcrete as a material is not in demand in comparison to other construction materials, such as wood and stone. While hempcrete is biodegradable and saves money, it is not as accessible and not a reliable material for everyday use in construction. Hemp is sustainable for fabric as well, specifically for shoes and outdoor clothing, such as jackets and dresses.
Recent DelVal graduates have pursued careers in industrial hemp. For instance, a 2024 graduate is studying hemp genetics research at an internship at the USDA-ARS Hemp Germplasm Repository in Geneva, New York. Another 2024 horticulture student is a Post Harvest Technician at Hamilton Farms with a cannabis certificate.
Industrial hemp is a flexible plant for DelVal students to explore the different avenues the crop offers in horticulture production.