Get to Know Dreu and the VanHoose Hemp Co. !
Dreu of Van Hoose Hemp Co. took some time to chat us up about her farm, the product [and what it’s listening to!] and the future of cannabis. VanHoose Hemp Co. is a Black-owned and Woman operated Hemp Farm that offers organic, sustainable, hemp products straight from the family farm into your hands. Our facilities are located in Alabama with plants grown with organic soil and seeds. Check it out! And check them out at www.vanhoosehempco.com
Tell us how it is to be a farmer in 2021
It's been rewarding, fun, and also absolutely crazy all at the same time lol. Covid has been a challenge for me being in a new place away from family and friends but luckily everyone is doing their part to stay safe so I’m thankful for that. As an entrepreneur it places a lot of uncertainty on the state of the economy and access. We got a later start to the season last year so looking forward to getting back to some sense of normalcy. for me being a farmer in 2021, I’ve just been fortunate to still say we will be on track to have a successful season. And I recently got a tractor so there's that!
What makes VanHoose Hemp Co the best/different from the rest?
There are alot of new companies entering the market right now in this growing industry but what makes VHC the best/ different is that we advocate not only for the plant but for the people. We offer an environment for those who are not typically the face of this industry. We provide a space for women, cannabis advocates, those incarcerated for minor cannabis crimes, people of color, lgbtq+, disabled communities and more. Our slogan is: Real. Organic. Rooted. To emphasize our values of supporting the underdog and creating an organic, real product rooted in values of community. We will not sacrifice on this. As a minority, woman owned business we represent and are in affinity with underrepresented individuals. Only reason I am here is because of others in my community who have too often been overlooked. At VHC we work everyday to change this narrative.
How did you acquire this land?
My family! Love them! Specifically my grandfather who passed away the year before I moved down to AL. He had purchased the land awhile back and originally my father tried to develop housing for disabled Veterans on the land however the proposal never made it past washington. So when AL brought in the Pilot program for growing industrial hemp it just clicked. Shout out my ancestors lol
What have been your biggest struggles?
Some struggles in the Early stages were learning, becoming my best student. I'm a hands on learner so I wanted to go head first into it. I was lucky enough to have mentors and friends who have been in the industry for sometime, but there isn't a lot of accessible education around cannabis cultivation/operations. It was research, training at other hemp farms, and figuring out what works best for me and my brand my farm. Another big challenge I faced early on was finding the capital to build the infrastructure of our operation, and also just coming from the east coast to the south and the view on cannabis. Now that I have been through these struggles I am trying to make connections and bridge that gap in education on the cultivation of the plant and access for other minority farmers to begin to gain equity in this fast growing and lucrative cannabis industry.
Highest highs? (Lol)
LOL highest highs, honestly just had one the other day having the opportunity to speak to some of the students and teachers in Tuskegee University’s Agriculture department and now we have volunteers this year!
What are things that people probably wouldn’t guess about being a weed farmer?
It's alot more than just getting high lol but seriously it is a lot of work being a farmer period. Cultivating the land is probably the most rewarding thing you can do, cannabis or otherwise. You get to be a big kid everyday in a since...the dirtier your clothes are the better. Lol ooo and this one is my favorite. You always smell like weed even when you havent smoked or have any on you at a certain point it just binds with you. I love that personally except i get a lot of looks whenever I’m in the grocery store or elevators haha
Where do you see the future of marijuana going?
“Hate to keep beating a dead horse” lol but what I would like to see again is more diversity and social equity in the cannabis space. You already can somewhat see where the future of marijuana is going. With more states legalizing and federal legalization slowly coming across the US it's only a matter of time. When legalization across the board does come, are those under represented faces being accounted for? That's the biggest fight I am currently preparing for in regards to the future of marijuana. I also hope to see more emphasis on the medicinal benefits around the plant. Marijuana right now is still very taboo and gets a bad rap. This is a healing plant and because it has been stigmatized everyone is not reaping the benefits.
Do you grow any other crops on the land?
Not at this exact time however we are currently in the process of offering herbs and vegetables to the local community and individuals/family low income housing here in Tuscaloosa. So far we are looking to start Watermelon, Sweet Potatoes, Okra, and herbs such as Sage, Lavender, and Mullein which are all herbs we currently have in our herbal pre rolls. :)
What would you say to anyone wanting to get into this business? Where do you begin?
Be fearless in your pursuit there's probably a million and one reasons telling you not to but there's only one reason that matters YOU Don’t be afraid to fail as long as you are failing forward. Take what you need from whatever the situation was and pick yourself back up stronger and wiser. You begin with figuring out what your local and federal laws are, Always stay up to date with these they are constantly changing and evolving, to see if you can grow where you are and then from there research and connect with the cannabis community around you. Listen, learn, plan, then execute. Lastly lead with Love. Love for the plant, Love for what you are doing (cultivating life), and love for self.
Favorite music right now?
For me personally I go back and forth between my Spotify Daily Mix which has heavy rotation of Brent Faiyaz, SIR, Flo Milli (“Bitch I’m From Alabama”) lol and VHC “Juneteenth” playlist on spotify which has Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight, Anita Baker
Favorite song of all time?
Redemption Song - Bob Marley
It hits every time all the time
Does music help plants grow? If so, what are yours listening to?
Girl YASSSSSS!!! My girls are dancing. My plants love BIA “Whole Lotta Money”, Pooh Shiesty “Back in Blood” and Maze “Joy & Pain” lol they take after me I think
Do you have any dream celebrity collabs for the company?
Yes...Rihanna, Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg, Issa Rae, Seth Rogan, Whoopi Goldberg, Teyana Taylor
What’s in store for the future of VanHoose Hemp Co?
So much! I'm very excited. We just recently launched our site which I'm happy about to finally bring VHC products to the people that need it. This year we are taking on volunteers to educate and give experience around hemp and organic sustainable farming practices. We have some students from University of Alabama and Tuskegee who will be volunteering with us and I think that will be a great opportunity for them and a big help to us. We are also working with disabled veterans in the “Healthy Hemp Growers'' Program out of Tuskegee. We are expanding our greenhouse operations and have plans to plant more outdoor hemp. Soon we plan to expand into the Medicinal Cannabis space as legalization comes in Alabama for medicinal use. One day our future vision is to create a “C.B.D.Cafe” for the community where we will not only sell our products and have CBD infused drinks and food, we will also host events aiming to create a welcoming, warm environment, with opportunities for open-mic nights, poetry readings, and other community functions.