The U.S. Department of Agriculture is sharing a success story of a hemp farm in Indiana, highlighting how the agency provided financial and technical support to help the business maximize its output of CBD oil of high quality.
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp, which was previously treated as marijuana by federal law. This has led to farmers all over the country cultivating it in response to the growing demand for CBD derivatives.
USDA has supported the hemp industry by promoting resources available to farmers who are navigating rapidly changing rules and policies.
In a recent post, part of the “Fridays on the Farm,” series, the USDA highlighted Papa G’s Organic Hemp Farm. The father-son venture began when Jeffrey Garland suggested growing hemp on his father’s Indiana farm, which he was considering selling. But the two decided to give it a try by applying for a permit under the recently passed regulations in the state.
Brandon O’Connor, USDA, wrote: “The cannabis plants that are used to make hemp oil look almost identical to the marijuana plants, but the internal chemistry is different.” While marijuana plants are bred in order to produce as much THC (the psychoactive compound), hemp plants can be bred so that they produce more CBD (the non-psychoactive component), which has medicinal benefits and can also be used to make fibers and grains.
In a blog post, the USDA explains that, for their first growing season in 2014, Garlands cultivated cannabis outdoors, in a field, and in a “high-tunnel,” a plastic-covered greenhouse where conditions can be controlled and crops thrive. The hemp farm had the same experience. Cannabis plants grew larger and longer, resulting in higher-quality CBD oil.
The Garlands sought USDA help to expand their high-tunnel. They used the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the Department (NRCS) as well as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
USDA stated that “They applied for a EQIP contract for 2021, and were approved. Construction of the tunnel is scheduled to begin in time for 2022’s growing season.” The Garlands can extend their growing season on both sides by several weeks because they are able to control their environment. It was a key part in turning their hemp operation into an all-year operation.
Meet Jeff and Jeffery of Papa G’s Organic Hemp Farm, Indiana. They work with @USDA_NRCS in order to extend the growing season. Learn more in this week’s #FridaysOnTheFarm: https://t.co/lHf7hidz9S pic.twitter.com/fYAKlHEajd
Farmers.gov July 14 2023
The article also highlights the difficulties of maintaining the “internal chemistry” of hemp, as federal law dictates that it cannot exceed 0.3 per cent THC in dry weight. Heat can increase THC levels beyond the legal limit. This makes them “hot”, and requires disposal.
The Garlands, it said, “turned to NRCS to get technical advice and worked closely with Lee Schnell their local district conservationist to develop a plan for cover crops.”
concluded: “On a hot day in summer, a few weeks after the new cannabis varieties were planted, the air was thick with the aroma of the growing cannabis plants. They are on track to reach their maximum height, which is over six feet high.” The plants will eventually be dried, and then taken to be processed into salves and tinctures. Gel tablets, too, are also possible. All of this is part of the company’s commitment to make the best products to help people.
The USDA also renamed its trade advisory committee in order to feature hemp prominently among a select number of specialty crops, reflecting the agency’s view of cannabis as an extremely valuable commodity.
According to USDA , the hemp industry took a big hit in 2018. The crop’s value dropped dramatically across all metrics. The downturn has been attributed by stakeholders to a lack of Food and Drug Administration regulations regarding the marketing of valuable hemp derivatives like CBD oil. The FDA has said that Congress must step in and enact these rules.
In this session, bipartisan legislators in the House of Representatives and Senate introduced bills that would ease regulatory burdens on farmers who grow industrial hemp to be used for other purposes.
Bill Gates tells Seth Rogen he smoked marijuana in high school ‘to be cool’
Photo by Brendan Cleak.
The post USDA Shares Hemp Farming Success Story, Touting Agency Resources to Aid CBD Producers first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
Which is worse for you? Doctors explain.