Farmers, processors and institutions of higher learning who are interested in Michigan’s newest agricultural crop — industrial hemp —now will have an opportunity to test the waters under the state’s new Industrial Hemp Ag Pilot Program.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) launched the program for the 2019 planting season to allow for the growth, cultivation and marketing of Michigan-grown industrial hemp.

“Michigan is uniquely positioned to grow, process and manufacture industrial hemp,” Whitmer says. “We are one of the nation’s most agriculturally diverse states — growing 300 different commodities on a commercial basis — making it a natural fit. This emerging crop not only cultivates new opportunity for our farming community, but it also creates an avenue for new businesses to crop up across the state.”

The 2018 Farm Bill authorizes the commercial production and processing of industrial hemp in the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is in the process of implementing a national program with the intent to have it in place for the 2020 growing season. In the meantime, MDARD is utilizing authority in the 2014 Farm Bill for the Industrial Hemp Ag Pilot Program.

“Michigan’s pilot program allows our farmers to explore the production and processing for hemp to determine whether or not this is a financially viable crop for them,” says Gary McDowell, MDARD director. “It also helps pave the way for Michigan growers as we move toward a permanent licensing program next year to identify and expand value-added hemp processing and new market prospects.”

The 2014 Farm Bill permits an institute of higher learning or MDARD to grow industrial hemp for research purposes as part of an agricultural pilot program. If MDARD approves a hemp ag pilot program application, a person participating in the Industrial Hemp Ag Pilot Program will be required to obtain a license and enter into a research agreement with MDARD.

People who comply with the terms of a research agreement will be considered by MDARD to be conducting research on behalf of the department as permitted under the 2014 Farm Bill.

MDARD is in the process of scheduling several events where interested participants can apply for and obtain a research agreement.

Forms for grower registration, a processor-handler license and participation in MDARD’s 2019 Industrial Hemp Ag Pilot Program are available online. The department began accepting applications April 23. Grower registration costs $100, and a processor-handler license cost $1,350.

More information on industrial hemp, details and requirements for licensure, and a schedule of the licensing events at the MSU Ag Pavilion in East Lansing are available at www.Michigan.gov/industrialhemp.

Source: MDARD, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.