Governor Whitmer, MDARD launch state’s industrial hemp ag pilot program for 2019 planting season

Interested growers, processors invited to attend in-person research agreement sessions to be held at the Michigan State University Ag Pavilion

For immediate release: April 18, 2019
Program contact: Gina Alessandri, 517-284-5627
MDARD media contact: Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724

Lansing – Farmers, processors and institutions of higher learning who are interested in Michigan’s newest agricultural crop – industrial hemp – will now have an opportunity to test the waters under the state’s new Industrial Hemp Ag Pilot Program. Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) launched the State of Michigan’s Industrial Hemp Ag Pilot Program for the 2019 planting season to allow for the growth, cultivation and marketing of Michigan grown industrial hemp.

“Michigan is uniquely positioned to grow, process and manufacture industrial hemp. We are one of the nation’s most agriculturally diverse states - growing 300 different commodities on a commercial basis - making it a natural fit,” said Whitmer. “This emerging crop not only cultivates new opportunity for our farming community, but it also creates an avenue for new businesses to crop up across the state.”

The 2018 federal Farm Bill authorizes the commercial production and processing of industrial hemp in the United States. The United States Department of Agriculture is in the process of implementing a national program with the intent to have it in place for the 2020 growing season. In the meantime, MDARD is utilizing authority in the 2014 Farm Bill for an Industrial Hemp Ag Pilot Program.

“Michigan’s pilot program allows our farmers to explore the production and processing for hemp to determine whether or not this is a financially viable crop for them,” said Gary McDowell, MDARD Director. “It also helps pave the way for Michigan growers as we move toward a permanent licensing program next year to identify and expand value-added hemp processing and new market prospects.”

The 2014 Farm Bill permits an institute of higher learning or MDARD to grow industrial hemp for research purposes as part of an agricultural pilot program. If MDARD approves a hemp ag pilot program application, a person participating in the Industrial Hemp Ag Pilot Program will be required to obtain a license and enter into a research agreement with MDARD. Persons who comply with the terms of a research agreement will be considered by MDARD to be conducting research on behalf of the department as permitted under the 2014 Farm Bill.

MDARD is in the process of scheduling several events where interested participants can apply for and obtain a research agreement.

Forms for a grower registration, a processor-handler license, and participation in MDARD’s 2019 Hemp Ag Pilot Program will be made available online beginning April 18, 2019. The department will begin accepting applications beginning April 23, 2019. Grower registration costs $100 and a processor-handler license cost $1,350.

More information on industrial hemp, details and requirements for licensure, and a schedule of the licensing events at the MSU Ag Pavilion in East Lansing is available online at www.Michigan.gov/IndustrialHemp.

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