California-based Dr. Bronner’s, family-owned maker of soap, has pledged to support the new hemp farming research being conducted by organic farming research institution, the Rodale Institute, with a donation of $100,000 over the next three years of the project’s timetable. Dr. Bronner’s and Rodale Institute together are committed to the effort to expand knowledge of the environmental and sustainability benefits of cultivating this historic crop.

Specifically, the Rodale research will focus on hemp’s role in: improving soil health in various organic crop rotations; its efficacy as a cover crop to suppress weeds; and its biomass and seed yields among four varieties of industrial hemp seed. 

“We have the highest respect for the mission of the Rodale Institute, and the crucial work they are pursuing to scientifically demonstrate the efficacy of regenerative organic farming,” said David Bronner, CEO of Dr. Bronner’s. “Their new foray into hemp cultivation will reveal important data about the crop’s role in the sustainable agriculture systems of the future, further demonstrating the case that hemp farming should be legalized throughout the U.S. so that all farmers can benefit from hemp’s economic and environmental opportunities.”

“We appreciate the support of Dr. Bronner’s as we plant this historic hemp crop and explore what role hemp can play in soil health,” said Jeff Moyer, executive director of the Rodale Institute. “It’s important to continue exploring tools for farmers to improve the health of our soils, because we know that healthy soil equals healthy food equals healthy people and a healthy planet. Having a partner like Dr. Bronner’s as we pursue this important work allows us to have a much larger impact, and we’re looking forward to sharing our results with farmers and scientists throughout the world.”

This announcement of Dr. Bronner’s support of Rodale Institute’s hemp farming research was made at the launch of the 8th annual Hemp History Week  (June 5-11), an education campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of industrial hemp, and catalyze grassroots support to pass State and Federal legislation to lift prohibition on industrial hemp farming in the U.S.

For more information, visit www.drbronner.com.