UVM Extension Cultivating Healthy Communities

Northwest Crops and Soils Program

Industrial Hemp

In 2016, our NWCS team started our industrial hemp research program. Allowed by the 2014 Farm Bill, academic institutions, like UVM, may legally develop research programs to evaluate industrial hemp as a commercial crop in an emerging market. The North American hemp market is currently estimated at over $400 million in retail sales and growing at about 10% per year. Clearly, there is demand for hemp and we would like to help farmers and processors in Vermont and throughout the Northeast evaluate this opportunity and promote sustainable practices for this agricultural crop.

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NEW

Industrial Hemp in Vermont: Growing Hemp for Fiber (PDF)

This new publication shares grower and research experiences in the Northeast that have begun to shed light on best management practices for the planting, harvesting, and processing of industrial hemp.

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Industrial Hemp Training Program - for Agricultural/Technical Service Providers

UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soils (NWCS) program offered this free course in collaboration with the following organizations: Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM), Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), SUNY Morrisville, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners (MOFGA), Northeast Organic Farming Association of NY (NOFA-NY), and Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (NE-SARE). This course was only for Agricultural/Technical Service Providers.

Offerings included up to 13 webinars (7 are required), up to 5 in-field intensives (1 is required), and admission to attend the 2021 and 2022 Industrial Hemp Conferences! You will also be asked to complete a pre- and post- course survey. All this is FREE and you can also earn Certified Crop Adviser credits! View the program flyer (PDF). View the July, August and September 2021 options of Hemp Growing Season Intensives (PDF).

Questions? Please contact Susan Brouillette, susan.brouillette@uvm.edu, or Heather Darby, heather.darby@uvm.edu or 802-524-6501.

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Planning to grow hemp this season? Please go to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Hemp Program website to review the most up to date information and requirements.

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We have also created an Industrial Hemp Booklet for field notes and records that contains several excel spreadsheets for tracking information. We are making printed copies made as well. You can access the excel spreadsheets here. View the PDF version of the booklet here.

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The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) administers federal crop insurance programs. This fact sheet provides current federal risk management programs available for producers growing hemp in 2022 - Risk Coverage for Industrial Hemp.

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Industrial Hemp Project Crowdfunding Opportunity

We began our industrial hemp research program in 2016 with the help of program donations – thank you! Interest in the crop and research-based guidance has continued to grow, and we need your help to keep this research project going. To date we have implemented research trials to study best planting dates, varieties, and field management for hemp fiber, seed, and CBD production.

In order to expand our hemp research, outreach, and education capacity, we need your help with our continued request for support!

Please help support our Hemp Research and visit our crowdfunding page today.

The History of Hemp

The History of Hemp
Industrial hemp is a historical crop. It is estimated that hemp was first cultivated in China between 4,000 and 6,000 years ago, making it one of the first cultivated crops. It was brought to the U.S. in 1645 and was a major crop until the 1940s, used in making paper (it is said that the first drafts of the Declaration of Independence were printed on hemp paper), cloth (the first U.S. flag and first pair of jeans were made of hemp), and ropes and sails used by the U.S. Navy. Currently, hemp is being used for cosmetics, foods, fiber, building materials, biofuel, and soil remediation.