Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Western New York, with its (usually) friendly climate and fertile soils, has a strong agricultural history. The advent of tractors and rural electrification transformed the farming industry in the 20th Century. In the 21st Century, farming is being transformed by computers which can drive robotic tractors, tailor nutrition to individual cows and monitor milk production and warn of impending storms. It is also being transformed by "new" crops such as hops and barley for the craft breweries springing up across the state. Now, another crop could be on the horizon: hemp.
No, that's not marijuana. It's industrial hemp.
Industrial hemp isn't new. A 1938 article in Popular Mechanics proclaimed, "American farmers are promised a new cash crop ... and it will provide thousands of jobs for American workers throughout the land." The article was referring to hemp. Within a year, however, the government restricted hemp production into oblivion. Industrial hemp was lumped in with marijuana, even though it has virtually none of the THC that gives marijuana users a "high." The federal government has listed industrial grade hemp alongside marijuana under Schedule 1 drugs since 1970.
In 2014, however, the growth of hemp for research was legalized by the federal government, and in 2015 Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved creation of a pilot program, and a limited number of permits for the research of industrial hemp were granted, mainly to colleges and universities. Last year, New York State's first legal hemp crop in more than 70 years was grown on a farm in Madison County, in partnership with researchers from Morrisville State College. The governor's proposal to increase the number of hemp research permits was approved as part of the 2018 state budget, and the first ever Industrial Hemp Summit took place last month in Ithaca.
Don Viands, a professor at Cornell University who has studied hemp, believes there is potential for hemp to be put into crop rotation and marketed for use in a great variety of products. "I'm optimistic that there is a future for it," Professor Viands said. "Basically, different parts of the plant can be used for different uses."
Among products made from industrial hemp: Clothing, construction materials, car parts, beauty products such as shampoo and hand lotions, oil for lubricants, protein powder, energy bars and, of course, ropes and canvas. Hemp seeds contain significant Omega-3, Omega-6 and protein. Hemp oil has been listed by the FDA as a dietary supplement, and studies have been done to determine hemp's use in treating inflammation, arthritis, diabetes and cancer.
The crop does have its challenges. Industrial hemp is subject to monitoring to make sure it does not exceed the three-tenths of 1 percent limit on THC. The plant does not tolerate pesticide use. Buying seeds can be problematic, and banks may be hesitant to loan money to support hemp production. There is also a need for further research into both its production and uses.
Still, hemp offers promise for New York State farmers if it proves viable and they can move quickly enough to capture emerging markets. New York is one of 15 states with hemp projects. Colorado and Kentucky already have thousands of acres in hemp. The state thus is wise to expand pilot programs and support research programs to determine whether growing hemp as a crop is worthwhile. You can bet that area farmers will be watching.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: The Daily News | Hemp could be good for NY agriculture
Contact: The Daily News | Serving Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties (NY) with local news and events
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: The Daily News | Serving Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties (NY) with local news and events
No, that's not marijuana. It's industrial hemp.
Industrial hemp isn't new. A 1938 article in Popular Mechanics proclaimed, "American farmers are promised a new cash crop ... and it will provide thousands of jobs for American workers throughout the land." The article was referring to hemp. Within a year, however, the government restricted hemp production into oblivion. Industrial hemp was lumped in with marijuana, even though it has virtually none of the THC that gives marijuana users a "high." The federal government has listed industrial grade hemp alongside marijuana under Schedule 1 drugs since 1970.
In 2014, however, the growth of hemp for research was legalized by the federal government, and in 2015 Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved creation of a pilot program, and a limited number of permits for the research of industrial hemp were granted, mainly to colleges and universities. Last year, New York State's first legal hemp crop in more than 70 years was grown on a farm in Madison County, in partnership with researchers from Morrisville State College. The governor's proposal to increase the number of hemp research permits was approved as part of the 2018 state budget, and the first ever Industrial Hemp Summit took place last month in Ithaca.
Don Viands, a professor at Cornell University who has studied hemp, believes there is potential for hemp to be put into crop rotation and marketed for use in a great variety of products. "I'm optimistic that there is a future for it," Professor Viands said. "Basically, different parts of the plant can be used for different uses."
Among products made from industrial hemp: Clothing, construction materials, car parts, beauty products such as shampoo and hand lotions, oil for lubricants, protein powder, energy bars and, of course, ropes and canvas. Hemp seeds contain significant Omega-3, Omega-6 and protein. Hemp oil has been listed by the FDA as a dietary supplement, and studies have been done to determine hemp's use in treating inflammation, arthritis, diabetes and cancer.
The crop does have its challenges. Industrial hemp is subject to monitoring to make sure it does not exceed the three-tenths of 1 percent limit on THC. The plant does not tolerate pesticide use. Buying seeds can be problematic, and banks may be hesitant to loan money to support hemp production. There is also a need for further research into both its production and uses.
Still, hemp offers promise for New York State farmers if it proves viable and they can move quickly enough to capture emerging markets. New York is one of 15 states with hemp projects. Colorado and Kentucky already have thousands of acres in hemp. The state thus is wise to expand pilot programs and support research programs to determine whether growing hemp as a crop is worthwhile. You can bet that area farmers will be watching.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: The Daily News | Hemp could be good for NY agriculture
Contact: The Daily News | Serving Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties (NY) with local news and events
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: The Daily News | Serving Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties (NY) with local news and events
