Source: agweek.com
The U.S. farm bill wants to make it easier for farmers to grow industrial hemp. The North Dakota Department of Agriculture wants that, too.
The state ag deparment announced on Tuesday that it's seeking participants for an industrial hemp pilot program.
“Industrial hemp may only be grown in North Dakota through the North Dakota Department of Agriculture’s pilot program or by institutions of higher education,” state Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says in a news release.
“We are currently seeking applicants wishing to participate in the department’s pilot program for the purposes of agricultural or academic research," Goehring says.
As the state ag department notes, a provision in the 2014 farm bill gives authority to state departments of agriculture to cultivate industrial hemp for research purposes.
In North Dakota, applicants must submit a project proposal, signed memorandum of understanding and request for seed (if applicable). Proposals will be ranked by a committee appointed by Goehring. Applicants chosen will be required to submit a notarized application, fingerprints and associated fees.
Applications and instructions can be found at www.nd.gov/ndda/program/industrial-hemp.
The deadline for proposals is 5 p.m. CST on Jan 1.
Applicants who need more information should contact Rachel Seifert-Spilde at 701-328-4128orrseifert@nd.gov.
Industrial hemp is controverisal because some people, often ones involved in law enforcement, equate it with marijuna. But industrial hemp supporters say their crop - which has a huge range of uses - can't be used to get high.
Supporters also say that the U.S. already uses imported hemp and should be raising its own hemp instead.
A recent Agweek cover package took a closer look at industrial hemp. Click here to read it:www.agweek.com/crops/3853825-industrial-hemp-gains-ground.
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