Hempen

Hemp and CBD Products

About Us

Hempen Co-operative is made up of a bunch of folk who believe that the immense power of the hemp plant should be accessible to everyone! We strive to improve the lives of our community. We actively support the wellbeing of our employees and volunteers as we build a holistic business model based on far more important things than profit.

When we work together, everything gets a whole lot better. We partner with farmers around the UK, offering them guidance on everything from licensing to harvesting this incredible crop. We believe that an ethical world is more than possible. In fact, it’s right around the corner if we know which way to turn!

The Farm

We’ve been on our farm on the Hardwick Estate in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside since 2015. Although we’re not currently growing hemp at this site, we’ve been collaborating with other organic farmers since 2016. We’re continuing to cultivate close relationships with existing and new hemp farmers around the UK. We help them grow and develop their crops and source our seed-to-shelf UK organic hemp from them to keep up with the rising demand!

Down on the farm, we lovingly craft the hemp plant into premium hemp and CBD products, for health & well-being, culinary and cosmetic use. Being the first and leading UK-grown certified organic hemp farm, we’re always looking to pioneer new solutions. We believe in bringing you the highest quality hemp products. That means growing and producing our own products wherever possible, with the lowest environmental impact and the greatest transparency.

As well as a co-operative we’re also a not-for-profit, which means we’re driven by our values and not by our wallets.

We believe in living in harmony with the land by creating sustainable rural livelihoods. Blessed to exist as a growing community of beautiful people working together towards our shared vision.

All of our food products are certified organic by The Soil Association. Containing no animal derivatives, we are proud to be a vegan brand. In fact, hemp seed – with its range of omega essential fatty acids – is a better alternative to eating fish! It’s also really high in protein. As we see it, the growth of hemp supports the growth of the vegan movement.

Hemp does not contain gluten, and we are in the process of becoming certified gluten-free.

Our Roots

A long time ago, Joe had a vision to harness the enormous potential of the hemp plant to create sustainable rural communities around its production. In 2014, he convinced a friendly organic farmer on the Hardwick Estate in Oxfordshire of the agronomic benefits of the miraculous plant. The farmer agreed to sow an experimental crop, and the first seeds of Hempen were planted.

The following year, 27 acres were planted. With a bumper crop, Joe gathered a group of friends who shared his belief in the possibilities the plant offered. Hempen was formed as a worker co-operative in 2015 for the equitable, sustainable and ethical production of hemp products – for health & well-being, culinary and cosmetic use.

Despite the challenges of the last few years, we’re still growing – in highly specialist knowledge and expertise, in partner farms, in our network and in our belief in the benefits of this plant for people, community and planet.

We’re grateful for the incredible team of dedicated co-operative members, employees and committed volunteers who help us realise our mission. We hope to bring hemp to as many people as possible.

Most of all, we would like to thank our wonderful customers, supporters and friends, who are the reason we can keep bringing hemp to the people!

Our community and work at Hempen is only here because of the love for the hemp plant!

Our Values

Hempen is a worker co-operative, which for us means creating sustainable livelihoods powered by hemp, and making decisions based on principles rather than profit. Any profit we do make is put back into nurturing the Hempen community, growing our capacity to bring more healthy and environmentally-friendly hemp products to the world. As well as adhering to the seven principles of a co-operative, we also operate based on our own five core values:

Co-operation

We value co-operation. It not only leads to a greater fusion of our skills, talents and resources, but also brings us unexpected opportunities and benefits.

Volunteers are always welcome on site. We’re looking to develop the potential hemp-based economy with people and structures who share our values and goals.

Compassion

We value compassion, and endeavour to treat all life with empathetic consideration – especially in the face of challenge.

We believe in the power of hemp to provide a better world for everyone. All the money we make goes back into the co-operative. This is to support our vision of a fair economy, to pay fair wages and support other ethical projects.

Creativity

We believe creativity is essential for finding simple solutions to complicated problems. We always aim to cultivate a culture of innovation.

Hemp has a rich and diverse history, with a wide range of environmental and health benefits. Anything wood can do, hemp can do better! Also cotton, plastic, food, cleaning products…the more we learn about it, the more benefits we find. We’re constantly working on new ways to bring these benefits to more people. Have a look at our blog to find out more ways of using hemp in your life and home.

Authenticity

We believe in radical honesty, and value authenticity in all our relations and work.

We’re dedicated to organics, innovation, and providing the highest quality hemp products. We endeavour to be open to new ideas, or ways of working and being.

Responsibility

We value taking responsibility for ourselves and our actions, as well as our community and our planet.

We’re starting small, but our aim is to support the global mission to cultivate and use sustainable hemp products, that can benefit both people and the planet. Always in harmony with nature.