With thousands of different finished goods deriving from industrial hemp, it is a growing commodity in states across the country. New York has an opportunity to be a lead in growth and production, both for the stalk and seed. Hemp products that have been trending include anything from healthy foods, organic body care, clothing, construction materials, biofuels, plastic composites and more. This industry could be an opportunity for both farm operations and manufacturers.
Hemp (cannabis sativa) is used for fiber, oils, and medicinal reasons. There are specific types of cannabis which have low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels, and those are classified as industrial hemp. THC is the principal intoxicating agent in marijuana. Industrial hemp has a rate of .3% THC or less. In New York State, these have been the focus of the Industrial Hemp Agricultural Research Pilot Program.
In 2018, approximately 3,500 acres of New York farmland was approved for industrial hemp research. That was an increase of 1,500 acres from 2017. For comparison, there are approximately 400 acres of hops being grown across New York State. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is accepting applications on a rolling basis for future research partners in the areas of grain and fiber. Nationally, industrial hemp products generate nearly $600 million per year in sales, according to New York State Ag and Markets.
Hemp Grower Applications: https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/PI/PIHome.html
List of Authorized Research Partners: https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/PI/list-of-authorized-research-partners.pdf
§Farm Bill Legalizing Hemp Passes Senate: WHEC News
§So You Want To Grow Hemp? Cornell Hemp on Science Friday
https://www.wrvo.org/post/madison-county-farmers-want-industrial-hemp-legalized
https://auburnpub.com/blogs/eye_on_ny/gillibrand-to-usda-give-ny-hemp-farmers-crop-insurance-coverage/article_556f991c-70a4-11e7-95fa-7778b2e49562.html
https://www.morrisville.edu/news/green-acres-morrisville-leads-industrial-hemp-revolution
https://www.oneidadispatch.com/news/morrisville-state-prepares-next-generation-for-changing-agriculture/article_6979c9f4-efa2-11e8-bb33-4bccda2ea704.html
https://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2018/10/industrial_hemp_marijuana_new_york_agricultural.html
Beginning Hemp - Keys to Successful Production
Hemp Contracts - Reducing Your Risk
Beginning Hemp - Rejection of the Crop
To learn about the industrial hemp program and permitting in New York State, go to:
https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/PI/PIHome.html
For processing regulations (FDA 21CFR 101,111,201)look here:
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm
Q&A on Cannabis products from FDA:
https://www.fda.gov/newsevents/publichealthfocus/ucm421168.htm
Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance Hemp Production eGuide: http://www.hemptrade.ca/eguide
Purdue Hemp Project: https://purduehemp.org/
Ontario Min of Ag, Food and Rural Affairs: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/00-067.htm
Valley Bio – also a good source of seed:http://valleybio.com/
Valley Bio in Cobden, Ontario: http://valleybio.com/
Parkland Seeds in Dauphin, MB: http://www.pihg.net/
Hemp Genetics Intl in Saskatoon, SK: http://www.hempgenetics.com/
Schiavi Seed in Lexington, KY:http://www.schiaviseeds.com/
International Hemp Solutions/Bija Seeds in Denver, CO: https://internationalhempsolutions.com/
Terramax in Qu’Appelle, SK:https://terramaxcorp.com/x-59-hemp-nut/; distributed through Legacy Hemp:https://legacyhemp.com/
Locating seed, transplants, or cuttings of CBD varieties is more complicated than seed for grain/fiber varieties.It is recommended to research variety preference from the potential customer, likely this is the processor contracted with for production.Typically, the processor will have a relationship with a breeder.Note that CBD production is most efficient/profitable if all of the plants are female and that to purchase seed, even feminized, seed runs the risk of male plants being present.Fully research the source of the CBD genetics.
Best Fertility Scenario for Successfully Growing Hemp on mineral soils:
Cannabis Testing Labs:
East
Coast Labs
172 Taunton Avenue East Providence, Rhode Island 02914https://www.ecltesting.com/Contact: matthew@ecltesting.com (401) 400-2709
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ProVerde
420 Fortune Blvd. Milford, MA 01757http://www.proverdelabs.com/Contact: Chris Hudalla (617) 221-3356
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MCR Labs,
LLC
85 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701 Contact: Michael Kahn (508) 872-6666
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CDX
Analytics
39 Norman St. Salem, MA 01907 https://cdxanalytics.com/ Contact: Brian Strasnick (978) 619-2244
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Different labs provide different services.It is recommended that you test your crop prior to NYS Ag & Markets testing.Research how results are reported/interpreted by each lab so as to be compliant with the law. To sample efficiently. research what other tests a processor may request prior to purchase. |
Cost of grain/fiber production information: https://hemp.cals.cornell.edu/2019/01/25/new-report-economics-of-producing-industrial-hemp-in-new-york-state/
NYS Hemp Exchange for buying/selling: https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.cce.cornell.edu/attachments/35526/HEMP_EXCHANGE.pdf?1548440495
Post your buy/sell ads at: https://cornell.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e35Eb3pNfpWkqhv
To find your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Specialist working on hemp, go to:
http://hemp.cals.cornell.edu/extension/
Last updated November 24, 2019