fancy plants hemp instagramOn Monday morning, a Vermont farmer woke up to find his entire hemp crop—some 50 plants on a plot of land in Moretown—had been stolen in the night.
According to state police, the estimated value of this crop was $6,000. The Fancy Plants crop was being grown for CBD extraction.
“The theft appears to have been premeditated and involve more than one individual, utilizing shearing tools and large vehicles to remove the 500 pounds of hemp,” according to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) “The 50 plants comprised the entire hemp crop of the Fancy Plants business.”
The VAAFM issued several tips for hemp farmers (in Vermont and elsewhere) as harvest season approaches: “installing appropriate fencing, motion activated lights and cameras like trail cameras, and no-trespassing signs that include a statement that the crop is industrial hemp. The sign can also include that the property is under video surveillance. It may also be useful to enlist the watchful eye of helpful neighbors,” as Vermont Business Magazine reported.
The state police also requested help from the community in this case: “The Vermont State Police is asking for assistance in identifying anyone who may have been involved. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police barracks in Middlesex at 802-229-9191 and notify Trooper Ryan Butler.”
