Hemp Farming in Eastern Kentucky Faces Tough Challenges

On this West Virginia Morning, as the number of coal mining jobs continues to decline in central Appalachia, hemp is getting a lot of attention as one way to diversify eastern Kentucky’s post-coal economy. But the region’s growing hemp industry is riddled with uncertainty.

The lack of land suitable for growing hemp and its association with marijuana pose significant challenges. Rachel Cramer, from our partners at WGBH and The GroundTruth Project, has that story.

We also hear the fiery vocals of Paul Janeway, backed by some smooth southern soul, all of which makes St. Paul and the Broken Bones. They perform their song “Flow with It” for our Mountain Stage Song of the Week.