In this day and age, adaptability is imperative for any business to stay successful, not to mention how necessary it is in the agriculture industry. Cole Nurseries, in Pipestem, has been honing their craft for 83 years. So, when a new industry in the state came knocking, Norm Cole and Cole Nurseries answered the door with open arms.
“It’s kind of an interesting path we took. I was paid to research medical marijuana for a company. I made a lot of contacts in the hemp industry. I have some friends that have moved into the hemp industry and found out it was really exciting,” explains Cole.
He says that his connections and prior experience were fundamental in learning how to adapt a new industry into their pre-existing business model. Despite stepping into somewhat unfamiliar soil, Cole Nurseries pulled from their resources and were able to hit the ground running this past summer.
“We started researching it this summer. Back in June, we started doing our own seed. We started developing procedures.” Cole said excitedly.
As the hemp industry begins to grow in the state with the roll-out of House Bill 2453 in 2017, many farms and agriculture entities have been looking towards the emerging industry as an opportunity to broaden their horizons. During the 2020 growing season 277 licenses were granted that allowed for 2866 acres of possible hemp production across the state. Being in operation since 1937, Cole Nurseries was able to implement the infrastructure and methods they already had in place.
“We had the facility, so I didn't have to buy facilities. We just started researching and started doing some cost analysis and determined that it could be a profitable, viable industry. We've brought some techniques from the nursery industry into the hemp industry,” Cole states. “So, some of the trays we use were designed for annuals and perennials and we're bringing that over to the hemp. It was probably a six-month path to decide to jump in.”
Perhaps one of the keys to Cole Nurseries’ success is their ambition and willingness to develop a reputable product. While Pipestem is relatively a small town, the reach of the nursery is nationwide.
“Basically, what we do well is we grow young plants. So, we are known for our ability to propagate, to start plants from other plants. We ship plants all over the country. We do Oregon, California, Texas,” exclaims Cole. “So, we've been doing this in the nursery industry for a long time, and it's another plant and it's kind of exciting too, to get into a new industry. It's been challenging and we've been working hard the last six months. I think we're ready to release it.”
Being able to provide farmers with a sure-fire hemp clone that eliminates the stress of growing hemp from a seed is another motivating factor behind the drive of Cole Nurseries.
“I think a lot of farmers have learned that seedlings are very susceptible to fungus. They're very susceptible to water stress. They're very susceptible to too much fertility, not enough fertility. So, if we can take that entire three to four week period away from the farmers and sell them a ready-made plant, it's going to make it a lot easier. They can focus on getting the plant in the ground, getting their land ready. They don't have to worry about, you know, watching for males. They don't have to worry about the fertility level and forgetting to water their seedlings,” Cole says eagerly.
Most importantly, Cole Nurseries wants to provide a durable plant that will ultimately better the hemp industry and community as a whole.
“We'd like to produce a very good plant for the price, give our customers a value-added plant. We'll be able to grow a cutting to grow a clone to produce a plant that's very uniform. It’s stabilized, and they can take that plant and put it in their fields. They don't have to worry about seedlings,” explains Cole, “They don't have to worry about maintaining young plants. So, I just feel like producing a very healthy vigorous, young plant is going to be a value for the local hemp industry.”
Much of the payoff for Cole Nurseries is getting to see the beautification of a landscape project as it’s completed. However, by stepping into the hemp industry, Norm and his team will find themselves in a more humanitarianism position.
“For me, it's exciting because what I do every day is I start something from nothing,” Cole says enthusiastically. “So, when I get to work, I can take a cutting, I can take a twig and I can create a plant and I can create something in the nursery industry that's going to beautify a yard. In the hemp industry I'll be able to produce a plant that can produce CBD and CBG for the benefits of people.”
All in all, Cole and his dedicated team just want to help. While the state and encompassing agriculture industry is working towards finding their spot in the world of hemp, Cole Nurseries is confident that their long-established business practices and understanding of plant science will not only be directly beneficial to themselves, but will be overtly positive for West Virginia agriculture collectively.
