hemp

Ask the Expert: A Hemp Q&A

Dan Hemp, Industry News Release

(USDA) — Ask the Expert is a new series launching on farmers.gov. In this Ask the Expert, Andrew Kowalski answers a few questions about how farmers can use the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) hemp pilot program to insure their hemp crop. Kowalski is a risk management specialist with the Risk Management Agency (RMA) based in …

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Hemp Legislation Passes in Georgia House

Clint Thompson Georgia, Hemp

Week eight of the 2020 session for the Georgia General Assembly saw more talk about the Right to Farm Bill (HB 545), but there was also action concerning hemp legislation, and it has been another topic that many have been following. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley has an update on both of those issues, along with looking at …

hemp

Alabama Message to Potential Hemp Growers: Know What You’re Getting Into

Clint Thompson Alabama, Hemp

By Clint Thompson Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Katelyn Kesheimer has a message for all farmers interested in growing hemp this year: Know what you’re getting into. During this year’s hemp meetings, which continue in March throughout Alabama, Kesheimer and other specialists are discussing economics, insects, weeds and diseases that are associated with hemp production.  “We’re very clear …

industrial hemp license

Hemp Growers Get Good News

Dan Hemp, Industry News Release

(NAFB) — The Drug Enforcement Agency says it won’t require all labs testing the THC levels of U.S. hemp to be certified by the agency during the 2020 crop year. Politico says that offers producers a little more flexibility because it will alleviate potential bottlenecks at the more limited number of labs that have the certification. Greg Ibach, the Undersecretary …

hemp

Pate Discusses Hemp Program in Alabama

Clint Thompson Alabama, Hemp

Last fall, the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) accepted hemp applications from eligible growers, processors/handlers and universities in preparation for the second year of the program. Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture, Rick Pate, told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman that last year’s roll-out of the hemp program was real successful and the number of applications for this year have quadrupled. …

hemp

Hemp Production Meetings Scheduled Throughout Alabama

Dan Alabama, Hemp, Industry News Release

(ACES) — As industrial hemp producers enter their second production year in Alabama, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System is offering informational meetings for interested growers. Alabama Extension’s hemp action team has spent the past year researching and assembling best management practices for new growers in Alabama. Specialists and regional agents will provide informational meetings throughout the state over the next few months. …

What Growers Need to Know About New Hemp Insurance Program

Clint Thompson Hemp

By Clint Thompson The Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) Pilot Insurance Program will not protect producers of hemp if the THC level of their crop is higher than the accepted 0.3 percent range, according to Martin Barbre, administrator of the Risk Management Agency. “We want to make it clear, abundantly clear, hemp that contains THC above the compliance level laid out …

industrial hemp license

Details of Risk Management Programs for Hemp Producers Announced

Dan Hemp, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops

(USDA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of two programs that protect hemp producers’ crops from natural disasters. A pilot hemp insurance program through Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) provides coverage against loss of yield because of insurable causes of loss for hemp grown for fiber, grain or cannabidiol (CBD) oil, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance …

hemp

NASDA Submits Hemp Program Comments to USDA

Clint Thompson General

This week, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture submitted final comments on federal hemp production guidelines. The comments submitted to the Department of Agriculture highlight potential changes to the Domestic Hemp Production Program interim final rule. NASDA CEO Barb Glenn says, “We know at least 30 states will have to revise their own laws in order to comply …

hemp

Georgia Hemp Production on Hold

Taylor Hillman Georgia, Hemp

By Clint Thompson Georgia farmers looking to grow hemp can’t do so without the state legislature first authorizing $800,000 to the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) to oversee hemp production. In response to a hemp production plan submitted by the GDA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) required that the Georgia Legislature appropriated funds for oversight, according to the University …