Fifth-generation family farm from Rushville places first in High Times Hemp Cup national competition

May 24, 2023 | By Muddy River News

RUSHVILLE, Ill. — Stoney Branch, a fifth-generation family farm in Rushville, recently won first place in the High Times Hemp Cup’s flower and pre-roll category for their CBD hemp strain, Blueberry Waffles.

In a press release, co-founder and cultivation director Justin Ward, said, “Our small family operation has worked diligently over the last four years to hunt exotic genetics and hone our growing skills, and we could not be more proud to make our lifelong dream of winning a High Times Cup a reality.”

The High Times Hemp Cup, which celebrates excellence in the hemp industry, was announced for the first time in December 2020, with winners announced in May 2021. The event brings together the top hemp producers and brands from around the country to compete in various categories. This people’s choice-styled competition is judged by consumers from all over the country, and winning this award is considered a significant achievement in the cannabis community.

To enter this year’s competition, competitors were required to submit their products for consideration between Jan. 30-Feb. 3, 2023. Hemp Cup judge kits became available Feb. 10 for consumers in every state to order online. The judges then had two months to explore and review the products.

Stoney Branch is a family-owned and operated farm with more than eight years of experience cultivating both hemp and marijuana, starting in the Colorado cannabis industry. All flower products are grown in state-of-the-art, climate-controlled greenhouse using a sustainable, organic living soil system to produce the highest-quality hemp.

Stoney Branch Farms is committed to producing safe, consistent and compliant CBD products and also committed to educating the community on cannabis and the benefits of the living soil system. The company works with a variety of local colleges to host hands-on labs and interns throughout the year.