Kentucky Will Not Submit New Hemp Plan for USDA Approval

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) will use 2020 as a year to transition from a hemp research pilot program to a commercial hemp program. Kentucky will operate its program for the 2020 growing year under the 2014 provision and use the extension to continue discussions with key stakeholders and USDA.

In October, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published an Interim Final Rule (IFR) which established the federal regulatory framework for industrial hemp growth in the United States and gave states an option to operate programs under the state pilot provision of the 2014 Farm Bill for the 2020 growing year.

“The 2018 Farm Bill removed industrial hemp from the federal list of controlled substances, a move which has been a catalyst for hemp growers and businesses. Wisely, Congress also gave state departments of agriculture the option to operate state pilot programs for another year before submitting new plans to the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said. “The industry has changed dramatically, but the national hemp marketplace is experiencing some real challenges. After much discussion with industry stakeholders in Kentucky, I determined our state will operate our current hemp program for another year as we responsibly make plans to take Kentucky’s hemp industry into the next phase in 2021 and beyond.”

The window to apply to grow hemp in Kentucky is open until March 15, 2020 and is available online at www.kyagr.com/hemp. Processor applications are available there as well and will be accepted year-round.

The 2018 Farm Bill included a measure authored by Senator McConnell that removed industrial hemp from the federal Controlled Substances Act, gave hemp growers increased access to USDA programs, and outlined the requirements a state regulatory framework must contain to earn approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Those interested in commenting on USDA’s Interim Final Rule can do so by visiting USDA’s website here.

The KDA will submit comments to USDA about the interim final rule before the Jan. 29 deadline.