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16
NOV

Kentucky hemp application portal now open

Online application portal on KDA website

FRANKFORT (Nov. 16, 2021) – The window to apply for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s 2022 hemp licensing program is now open, Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles has announced.

“The nation’s hemp industry continues to face challenging headwinds, including continued regulatory inaction by the Food and Drug Administration toward cannabinoids,” Commissioner Quarles said. “As we enter the ninth growing season, we encourage all hemp growers and processors to carefully consider all of the factors in this industry.”

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA), which administers Kentucky’s hemp licensing program, is hosting an online application portal on its hemp webpage, kyagr.com/hemp. Grower applications, including renewals, must be submitted by March 15, 2022. New processor/handler applications may be submitted year-round. Annual processor/handler license renewals must be submitted by Dec. 31.

During last year’s application period, KDA licensed 450 hemp growers to cultivate up to 12,000 acres and 140 hemp processors and handlers for 2021. The Department also licensed 3.7 million square feet of greenhouse space for production. Of the 450 hemp grower licenses, 135 were “storage only” licenses for growers to market a previously grown hemp harvest.

The 2021 numbers reflect national trends for hemp production. According to a review of states with hemp programs, 30 out of 40 states reported reduced or significantly reduced applications for 2021.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented a final rule for hemp production. The final rule comes after state agencies, industry groups, and hemp growers across the nation provided feedback to USDA on the interim final rule. The final rule took effect March 22.

In line with the process outlined in the 2018 Farm Bill, Commissioner Quarles submitted a state plan to govern Kentucky’s hemp program to USDA for the 2022 growing season. Kentucky’s state plan was recently approved and will be implemented in January 2022. The public comment window for the regulations will remain open until Dec. 31 and can be accessed by scrolling to 302 KAR 50 at this link. Comments can be e-mailed to Clint Quarles at Clint.Quarles@ky.gov.

For more information about the KDA’s hemp program, go to kyagr.com/hemp.

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    In the News

  • 9/19/23 - KDA Chief of Staff receives award for outstanding service
  • 9/15/23 - Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approves over $1.1 million for projects across the commonwealth
  • 9/11/23 - KDA secures funding to purchase freezers, refrigerators for Kentucky food pantries
  • 9/8/23 - Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corp. approves $2,420,905 in loans
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KDA Video

Beekeeping 101: A Guide for Beginners

State Apiarist Tammy Horn Potter tells beginner beekeepers the four essential tools they need to get started.

Commissioner Quarles asked Facebook to stop rejecting pages that promote hemp

Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles told legislators about the conflict with a social media giant.

Commissioner Quarles talks to WHAS11 about Industrial Hemp in Kentucky

Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles talked to WHAS11's Chris Williams about the enthusiasm for industrial hemp.

The Kentucky Hemp Comeback

Kentucky farmers are exploring industrial hemp, a crop that connects Kentucky’s past to its future. Kentucky businesses are taking that raw material and turning it into products.

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