The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) is now accepting applications for the 2024 hemp licensing program. Grower applications, including renewals, must be submitted by March 15, 2024. New processor/handler applications may be submitted year-round. Annual processor/handler license renewals must be submitted by Dec. 31.
In 2023, KDA licensed 170 hemp growers to cultivate up to 4,050 acres and 71 hemp processors and handlers. Of the 170 hemp grower licenses, about 60 licensees planted hemp, growing just over 1,500 acres this year.
According to USDA crop acreage data, there were 22,275 acres of hemp planted nationally in 2023. That is up slightly from 20,677 in 2022, but down from 35,395 acres in 2021 and 147,471 reported to USDA in 2019.
Kentucky hemp processors and handlers reported $43.5 million in gross product sales in 2022. That compares with $43.4 million in gross product sales in 2021, $130 million in 2020 and $193 million in 2019. Processors reported spending $23.6 million on capital investment projects in 2022 as compared to $33.7 million in capital investments in 2021, $138.9 million in 2020, and $207.3 million in 2019.
For more information about the KDA’s hemp program, go to kyagr.com/hemp.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jessicahyde
Categories: Kentucky, Crops