Michigan launching industrial hemp production pilot program
(4/18/2019) - Michigan is launching a pilot program for farmers considering a new cash crop -- the industrial scale production of hemp.
The federal Farm Bill enacted last fall provides for commercial scale production and processing of hemp. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is looking for interested farmers and processors to test the program.
The state launched a website Thursday providing information about the program and will begin accepting applications for farmers and processors to take part next week.
“Michigan is uniquely positioned to grow, process and manufacture industrial hemp. We are one of the nation’s most agriculturally diverse states -- growing 300 different commodities on a commercial basis -- making it a natural fit,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “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 U.S. Department of Agriculture is developing a nationwide hemp production program for the 2020 growing season. Michigan is developing a program for the current growing season based on the 2014 Farm Bill, which allows test programs as research for a higher education institution.
“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,” said Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Gary McDowell. “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.”
Any farmers or processors who want to get involved in Michigan's pilot hemp program need a license and must enter into a research agreement with state regulators.
See Related Links on the right side of bottom of this story for the required application forms. Applications will be accepted beginning on April 23.
Farmers must pay a $100 registration fee while processors have to pay a $1,350 fee.
