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. While many growers, have expressed interest in hemp production, finding accurate information on production, pest management, marketing, and processing can be challenging. Thus, as the University of Kentucky has established itself as a leader in research in numerous aspects of hemp production, Extension specialists and researchers coordinated and facilitated the 2020 Virtual Hemp Field Day. The goal of this event was to share research with hemp growers and those connected to the hemp industry as a way to improve knowledge of hemp production and processing.  

Due to restrictions resulting from the global pandemic, the Hemp Field Day was held virtually over two days in 2020. University of Kentucky Extension specialists and researchers from the Departments of Plant and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology, Agricultural Economics, and Entomology, as well as, the Colleges of Engineering and Pharmacy, and a representative from Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Hemp Program, provided presentations on a range of topics related to hemp regulation, production, pest management, marketing, and processing.

On day one of the program, 170 individuals participated, while 145 individuals participated in day two of the event. Post surveys on both days found that participants where connected to hemp as either current growers (13.5% of participants), future growers (14%), industry professionals (33%), Extension professionals (21.5%), or university researchers (18%). Attendees represented multiple U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and countries throughout the world. Participants indicated an increase in knowledge of between 35% and 96% in all topic areas. As a result of attending the 2020 Virtual Hemp Field Day, individuals noted that they were either somewhat likely or highly like to complete each of the following behaviors; Consult with regulatory authorities while planning for a hemp crop (83%), Choose a lab that participates in a testing proficiency program (92%), Use a labelled pesticide on hemp (65%), Learn more about minimizing risk from hail (57%), Use supplemental THC testing to schedule THC compliance sampling (85%), Use trichome color to schedule THC compliance testing (49%), Implement new hemp leaf disease management practices (72%), Implement new hemp insect management practices (71%), Consider the potential of hemp for biofuels (42%), Modify marketing strategies to improve economic outlook (65%), and Grow hemp for medicinal products (52%). The survey also recorded that due to participating in the program, 18% of hemp growers anticipated an increase in yield of 10% or more, and 26% anticipated an increase in quality of 10% or more in future crops. Participants placed an average value of $70 on this event. Overall this event and format was noted as successful with one individual commenting, “UK is the leader in hemp research, and this webinar exceeded my expectations and was "as advertised"...Great job putting this together.” 

In the future, this team of specialists and researchers will continue to work together to take research to hemp growers and industry professionals as a way to improve the production and value of this crop in Kentucky and throughout the world.