The Bath County Extension Office hosted the east region Hemp production meeting which was designed to provide technical information related to hemp production.  The program was designed to address the needs of both beginner and established growers.  Topics included in the program included: Production systems, site selection and soils, budgets and risk management, cultivar information, fertility, planting, pests and risks, harvest and equipment.

The participants spent 8 hours with UK specialists and Kentucky Department of Ag personnel discussing these issue.  The interaction with the speakers was intended to assist producers in their decision making process as it relates to growing industrial hemp.  The program was a mixture of presentations and interaction between those involved.

Initial reaction from the growers/potential growers present was very positive toward the information.  A few of the participants related the fact that they had no idea about the many variables involved in making the decision to grow or not to grow.  Many of the individuals indicated that they were going to need to think about the information that they received before making a decision to grow and a few of the participants were already experienced in growing hemp and were most interested in the financial information on hemp production.  A formal survey was conducted at the end of the program and is being tallied by the specialist group involved in the program and will be available soon.

Growers left the meeting with the best information currently available to help them understand how a hemp enterprise may fit into their current operation and what potential hazards may exist.