Latvian Andris and Portuguese Deborah live near Vilani in the eastern Latgale region of Latvia and for three years already have been producing hemp oil and exploring the other uses to which hemp can be put at a small research and educational facility.
"Hemp can be eaten but also used for making clothes, household insulation and making paper. It is extremely interesting," says Andris. "This will be the third summer [we have grown it] and everything is coming together," he adds.
Visitors to the farm can see the whole cycle of hemp's growing and processing from sowing seeds to making ropes, paper, and fire-resistant hemp building blocks. And, of course, tasting hemp tea, oil and butter.
"Our farm aims to break stereotypes regarding cannabis sativa as an agricultural crop while introducing visitors to the numerous benefits and uses of the hemp plant," says the farm's website.
Having moved to the region knowing very little about hemp, they gained some information from the internet but quickly realized they needed advice from locals who have long been steeped in hemp-growing culture.
You can read more about their farm HERE.