Hemp Associations Conduct National Checkoff Survey

The National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC) and Hemp Industries Association (HIA) are conducting a survey to collect industry feedback on the creation of a national hemp checkoff program. Earlier this year, the associations announced a memo of understanding (MOU) to explore the creation of a checkoff program for the hemp industry. If determined the industry sees value in a checkoff and wants to move forward, NIHC and HIA will collaborate on a proposal that will be submitted to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“We believe that the industrial hemp industry would benefit from greater research to improve seed, agronomy and product processing,” read an email to NIHC subscribers. “We also believe in the health, environmental and social value of industrial hemp production and believe that there is an opportunity to better educate the public about these fundamental values while also promoting the overall brand of hemp.”

Checkoff programs are run by independent boards made up of producers of the commodity. The board is governed with oversight from the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Board members are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The board can only engage in activities that include research, education and promotion of their commodity.

There are currently checkoffs for 21 commodities covering everything from beef and pork to honey and Christmas trees. Land grant universities studies of checkoff programs show that the return-on-investment of these programs ranges from 3:1 to as high as 25:1.

Click here to participate in the survey.