By Blake Jackson
Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) has announced the opening of the application window for the 2024 hemp licensing program. Aimed at hemp growers and processors.
For growers, the application deadline, including renewals, is set for March 15, 2024. Processor and handler applications are accepted throughout the year, with annual renewals due by December 31.
In the previous application period, KDA licensed 170 hemp growers, authorizing cultivation of up to 4,050 acres, and approved 71 hemp processors and handlers for 2023. Of these, about 60 licensees planted hemp, covering just over 1,500 acres.
These figures align with national hemp production trends. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) crop acreage data indicates a slight increase in hemp cultivation nationally in 2023, with 22,275 acres, compared to 20,677 acres in 2022. These numbers show a decrease from previous years, with 35,395 acres in 2021 and 147,471 acres in 2019.
In terms of economic impact, Kentucky hemp processors and handlers reported $43.5 million in gross product sales in 2022, a figure comparable to the $43.4 million reported in 2021. This represents a decline from $130 million in 2020 and $193 million in 2019. Capital investment in the industry also saw a decrease, with $23.6 million invested in 2022 compared to higher investments in previous years.
For more detailed information about the KDA's hemp program and application process, interested parties can visit kyagr.com/hemp.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fatcamera
Categories: Kentucky, Crops