Hemp has a long history in KY and has been revitalized for many KY farmers in the past few years but with very strict research regulations and market option.  The passing of the 2018 Farm Bill which contained the Hemp Farming Act is changing the way that hemp production has been viewed by farm agencies, farm creditors and federal and state farm programs.  Hemp production was viewed by many as illegal and risky.  In the state of Kentucky, even though the 2018 Farm Bill removes hemp from the controlled substance list, no person can grow, handle, or process hemp plants, viable seed, leaf or floral materials without a hemp license issued by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.  The KDA takes applications once a year and the application process was completed before the signing of the 2018 Farm Bill.  When the news of the signing of the Farm Bill was made public the requests for hemp information in the county exploded.  

In response to the sudden influx of request for hemp production information.  I contacted the most experienced hemp growers in the county, Area Extension Specialist in Farm Business Management Jonathan Shepherd and Atalo Holdings representatives Rhonda and Brent Cornett to speak on hemp production in an informational meeting.   The meeting was well attended with forty two attending with both licensed growers and those wanting more information.  Another meeting is scheduled a few weeks before the normal hemp producer applications open with a possible tour of hemp fields.