This year marks ten years since growing hemp became legalized in Kentucky, and applications are open now to apply for a license to grow the crop. The process is overseen by officials with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.
Doris Hamilton is the Hemp Program Manager for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. She said there are a few things people interested in growing the crop should do before they apply.
“Once an individual decides they would like to grow hemp and they have located a potential buyer and have a market for that and a plan for how to market that, then they would go to our website and the application portal is available there,” said Hamilton.
Hamilton also warned potential farmers to make sure they know what they are getting into with hemp.
“We really strongly recommend that folks do their homework and investigate the industry as a whole before they decide to jump into this new market that is still undeveloped and risky. Very risky,” said Hamilton.
In Kentucky, there are currently 170 people licensed to grow hemp, but Hamilton says only 60 people actively grow in the state.
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Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Rural Lifestyle