Why This Lawyer Chose to Become a Hemp Grower
Eric Trajtenberg, Owner of Paradise Hemp Farm in West Grove, PA, wasn’t always a hemp grower. Deciding to make a career change in 2019, Trajtenberg left the stresses of being a lawyer and started growing hemp instead.
“As a family law attorney, you’re dealing with emotional, complex issues. With hemp, I’m not waking up to any angry emails or dealing with opposing counsel,” Trajtenberg says. “I’m so relieved and happy I get to do this for a living.”
Trajtenberg initially faced many challenges, including controlling precipitation, caterpillars, and crop protection. To aid in his troubles, Trajtenberg added a greenhouse in August.
“I hope I can get a nicer quality finished flower growing in a more controlled environment with the greenhouse than outside,” Trajtenberg says. “I have natural light, propane heat, two dehumidifiers, and plenty of fans because airflow is absolutely essential. In the greenhouse, I like to see the top of the leaf canopy gently moving, nothing still and stagnant.”
He also started fighting bugs with other bugs rather than using sprayable pesticides.
“There are organic insecticides and fungicides, but with smokable flower I don’t really want to spray anything,” Trajtenberg says. “Beneficial insects are a form of organic control.”
To learn more about Trajtenberg’s story, click here.
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