The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) has opened the application period for Kentuckians wanting to participate in the state’s industrial hemp research pilot program for the 2018 growing season. Applications may be downloaded here.
Grower applications must be postmarked or received by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture no later than November 15, 2017, at 4:30 p.m. EST. Processor/Handler applications are preferred by November 15, 2017, with a final deadline of June 1, 2018.
Key Changes:
Application fee has increased to $100 (previously $50)
Grower fees increased to $400 per address (previously $350)
Processor fees increased to $500 (previously $400) and $3,000 for those processing floral material (such as CBD)
The KDA is also opening a public comment period for preliminary draft regulations governing the industrial hemp research pilot program. Earlier this year, the Kentucky General Assembly passed Senate Bill 218, tasking the KDA with promulgating administrative regulations for the program. Once the process is complete, program rules will be found in administrative regulations, as the law prescribes.
Department officials ask that interested members of the public submit their comments in writing by October 31 so that the agency can consider those comments prior to filing the regulations with the Legislative Research Commission later this year. The draft administrative regulations will be used as the policy to guide the program in 2018. The draft regulations are available at kyagr.com/hemp.
Written comments may be submitted by mail to KDA Hemp Program, 111 Corporate Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601 or by email to hemp@ky.gov with “Hemp Reg Comments” in the subject line. KDA operates its industrial hemp research pilot program under the authority of state law (KRS 260.850-260.869) and a provision of the 2014 federal Farm Bill (7 U.S.C. § 5940) that authorizes state-managed hemp pilot programs. Click here for original press release from the KDA.