Author: Raul Villanueva
Major Program: Hemp
The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food & Environment Extension held a virtual Hemp Field Day on Dec. 8 and 9, 2020 from 10 AM to 12 PM each day. All programs were free and open to growers, industry, and researchers. These events were conducted and organized by the the team of hemp extension specialists and researchers, most of them affiliated to the University of Kentucky. The goal of this event was to share science-based studies with hemp growers and those connected to the h
Author: Robert Pearce
I coordinate the National hemp dual purpose cultivar trial. In 2020, 12 universities participated. Over time this project will result in a database of cultivar performance across the nation.
In 2020, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture reported that 4,500 acres of hemp were harvested in Kentucky, with 92% of these acres devoted to the production of hemp for cannabinoids. The value of an acre of cannabinoid hemp is estimated around $20,000, resulting in an estimated value of hemp production in KY of around $90 million. However, production of hemp as a crop has only seen a resurgence in the past six years. During this time acres and prices rapidly increased only to fall in 2020. Wh
Author: Nicole Gauthier
Since hemp was reintroduced in the U.S. under the 2014 Farm Bill, acreage in Kentucky increased dramatically with a peak in 2019 to about 26,500 acres, the second highest acreage in the U.S. Approximately 100,000 acres were planted in the southeastern U.S. and over 500,000 acres in 47 states across the U.S. Hemp is susceptible to a wide range of diseases, including over 25 leaf spots, root rots, and head & flower molds. In 2019, two cases of Fusarium bud and flower b
Since the reintroduction of hemp to the US after a 60+ year hiatus, university specialists have worked to address research and educational needs. Rapid increase in acreage since 2014 has left growers with challenges in finding accurate, research-based information. The UK Hemp Working Group has worked to provide growers with this needed information, including annual field days. In 2020, however, the annual hemp field day was cancelled as a result of the pandemic. Thus, th
Author: Kimberly Leonberger
