by Ava Hampton and Gisele Rinaldi Siebold

After a painful fusion in her neck forced her to take pain killers for twelve years, Amy Tyler was determined to find a natural solution. She heard about cannabidiol (CBD), researched its benefits and used it to relieve the pain in her neck. Her positive experience inspired her to grow hemp, and Finnegan Farms, LLC was born in 2017.

She began with a space in a greenhouse and an area outdoors to note the environmental differences while taking plants to full maturity in organic soil without the use of pesticides or chemicals to cultivate a robust crop. Last year, she leased land from a horse farm that had not been sprayed with chemicals. Currently, she leases certified organic land in Pennsylvania.

“We treat our fields gently, without the use of chemicals and pesticides, and grow our plants the way nature does––with beautiful sunlight, healthy soil and fresh water––in some of the finest soil in our area,” adds Tyler. “We don’t want to walk through toxic plants, we don’t want to eat them, and we don’t want to wear them.

“There are no mysteries when it comes to Finnegan Farms. We love to create healthy products and believe you should know your farmer,” she affirms. “By growing locally, I can share a deeper bond with customers. Customers can ask questions and see the production process first-hand.”

Tyler’s organically-crafted CBD products for people, including oils, hemp hearts, teas, tinctures, muscle rubs, body lotion and body care essentials, have gained popularity. Pets also approve of the Finnegan Farms product line created just for them.

“Most companies brag about not testing on animals, and for the most part, that’s what we want to hear,” says Tyler. “But our company is different. It was named after our foxhound Finnegan, so of course we want to make sure dogs like our products. The first year we grew hemp, we only had a small crop for ourselves. We dried the stalks on the back porch. Our dog Echo was seen on several occasions taking a stalk from the porch and chewing the top off.  The top is the part that has the flowers and oil. Animals know what’s good for them.

“Pets love our CBD Sweet Potatoes and CBD Dog Treats, made with peanut butter, pumpkin and oatmeal,” she enthuses. “Our newest product, Hempsicles, is a superfood whole-plant powder made with hemp flowers. Add water to the powder, freeze the mixture in ice cube trays and give your pet a healthy treat.”

Tyler explains that every part of the hemp plant has a use. “The naturally anti-microbial, anti-bacterial stalks can be shredded at different thicknesses; we are using them to make hemp cat litter and small-pet hemp bedding. We also have comfortable animal beds available for purchase that have fleece-covered, poly-filled pillow tops and pillow bottoms filled with hemp stalks,” she describes.

Finnegan Farms is also crafting cannabichromene (CBC) and cannabigerol (CBG) products. CBC and CBG are additional non-psychoactive phytocannabinoids that play an important role in the biochemistry of the cannabis plant and may have therapeutic properties. A series of tests conducted by Cannabics Pharmaceuticals––a U.S. public company––at their research and development department in Israel have shown that CBC and CBG exhibit anti-tumor properties on cancer cells. Studies also indicate that CBG exhibits support for inflammation, and its therapeutic qualities are conducive to experiencing quality sleep. CBC may foster anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial action in the body.

“CBG and CBC are the newest cannabinoids being introduced to the market,” she says. “We have a tincture for sale that is a combination of CBD, CBG and CBC made from organic hemp grown in Lancaster County.

“There’s a big difference in growing methods and product authenticity that marketing tactics might hide, so do your own research and get to know your farmer,” recommends Tyler. “A gas station isn’t the best place to buy CBD. It’s important to know your source and what ingredients are in the products you are using.”