Skip to Main Content

Hemp Grower Spotlight: Mike and Leslie Halsema

Mike and Leslie Halsema are the owners of Halsema Hemp Farms in Clarks Hill, Indiana. Halsema Hemp Farms grows hemp from seed and uses it to produce CBD-infused products, like chocolates and pet treats.

Mike and Leslie became interested in hemp when Mike began using CBD for health-related reasons. “We started CBD wellness with other companies,” Leslie explained, “but we chose to create our business because we wanted a better and stronger CBD that helped heal Mike.” Mike and Leslie are now in their fourth year of growing CBD hemp. Each year, they plant 1 acre, which contains about 1,000 plants. The Halsemas use organic methods, such as applying soap and water and removing insects by hand, to control pests and disease on the plants.

“I’m excited to grow hemp because of its range of capabilities,” said Mike. “There are so many varieties that do different things. It’s a great thing to grow the plants and see what you get at the end of the season.”

Hemp products Various products developed by Halsema Hemp Farms. Photo provided.

The couple works together to get their products from seed to shelf to consumer. Mike takes the lead on growing and extracting while Leslie oversees managing, promoting and branding the business. The CBD wellness products Mike and Leslie create are sold at their farm and online.

Through their time in the industry, Mike and Leslie have learned a lot about what it takes to be successful hemp growers. “Do your research, and start small,” said Leslie. “It’s a very labor intense industry.” Mike also added that knowing your plant, the laws and your buyers are key to successful hemp production.

Featured Stories

Yunmei Huang: Purdue’s Esri student of the year
Yunmei Huang: Purdue’s Esri student of the year

What if? It’s a question that drives innovation, and one that inspires Yunmei Huang, a PhD...

Read More
Dairy cows
Milk and motorsports: dairy’s lasting legacy in the Indy 500

Sunday, Hoosiers and racing fans from across the country gathered to watch the iconic Indy 500...

Read More
group of awardees
2025 Department of Biochemistry Spring Awards

The following awards, scholarships, and recognitions are presented by the department each Spring.

Read More
Jim Forney portrait
Professor Jim Forney Retires After 36 Years

Professor Jim Forney retired in Fall 2024 after 36 years at Purdue. During that time, he has...

Read More
powder being poured into a beaker
2024-25 Department of Biochemistry Publications

Publications associated with Department of Biochemistry faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and...

Read More
Carlos Corvalan, associate professor of food science and the project’s supervisor works on screen in lab at Purdue.
From lab to table: Purdue Food Science research predicts texture with machine learning

The creaminess of custard. The fizz of foam. The slurpability of soup. Texture is just as...

Read More
To Top