It’s time for the return of our Featured Vendor series! We took a little break, but we’re back at it now. This week’s Featured Vendor is Essentially Hemp. Read Phyllis and Essentially Hemp’s story in her own words below.

“My husband, John Smith, is starting his 5th year growing varieties of hemp high in cannabidiol, or CBD, on our farm in Henry County, using organic practices. John is a lifelong farmer, and decided to bring hemp into our plan to keep our small farm sustainable for our family. He is very active in promoting Kentucky hemp, and is on the board of both the Hemp Growers, and Hemp Industry Associations of Kentucky.

Our ultimate goal was to become vertically integrated so we became licensed to process and formulate our hemp to CBD products. In 2017, we built a certified food safety permitted facility on our farm and began retailing Essentially Hemp products.

My background in healthcare, and exposure to Integrative healthcare practices gave me the desire to research the naturally occurring health benefits of hemp, especially CBD and specific terpenes. With this knowledge, we grow certain hemp varieties high in CBD, CBG and certain terpenes allowing me to formulate a more potent and pure full spectrum CBD oil. Using only the dried floral material, the oil is extracted, lab tested, blended and formulated to ensure purity, and potency.  Our goal is to provide a safe, consistent, and effective product that our customers can trust.

Our daughter, Olivia Yates, is actively involved in all aspects of growing and processing hemp, and also has her own business on our farm growing and retailing heirloom vegetables, plants, and 20-plus varieties of heirloom tomatoes.

My favorite product I have formulated is our Be Relieved Balm. Customers have found, and research is showing, that topical application of CBD activates CV receptors under the skin, and will give relief to sore and strained muscles, and painful joints. Be Relieved has become my #1 product, and was given the award as Best Topical at the National Hemp Expo held in Louisville last year. I sell CBD oils, balms and Hempy Hippie Soaps made with ground hemp root from our plants.”

For more info, and to purchase CBD products, visit Essentially Hemp’s website and Facebook.