Industrial hemp production is legalized in the new farm bill. USDA will be in charge of regulating the crop. States that want industrial hemp grown under their jurisdiction can submit a plan to USDA. Minnesota Department of Agriculture Assistant Commissioner Whitney Place says Minnesota is in the process of doing this for 2020. “During the 2019 growing season while the farm bill is being implemented, the pilot program will continue on as it has the past three years.” To be part of Minnesota’s pilot program, farmers apply for a license from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. The department issues a license after a background check. For 2019, 38 hemp processors and 53 growers are registered in the state. Place says the market is still being developed in Minnesota.
News Categories
Latest RRFN Podcasts
Subscribe to RRFN
Get a weekly digest from RRFN to stay up-to-date on all the latest news in agriculture.