Kentucky’s nascent industrial hemp industry took an important step forward Wednesday with the announcement of a major public-partnership.
The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and Winchester-based hemp processing firm Atalo Holdings Inc. are joining forces to study hemp seeds in an effort to push the resurgent crop’s fortunes toward commercial markets.
“The UK CAFE agreement with Atalo is a great example of a public university-private sector partnership in which both parties benefit,” Rick Bennett, the college’s associate dean for research and director of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station, said in a statement. “It will enhance the development of an emerging industrial hemp industry in Kentucky resulting in economic opportunities and new uses for a historical crop.”
UK researches are at the forefront of the Commonwealth’s efforts to return the long-banned crop back to fields and markets. This year marks the state’s third year of pilot research projects. Across the state, 144 farmers and 10 universities are working to restore hemp as a commercial fiber, feed and pharmaceutical agent.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture says about 4,500 acres of hemp are being grown for the projects this year, up from 900 acres last year and just 33 acres during the inaugural planting season in 2014.
Atalo is one of the state’s major private players, operating its Hemp Research Campus in Winchester.
“We’ve been actively researching the characteristics of hemp seed varieties for planting, harvesting, processing and commercializing fiber and grain crops,” said Atalo CEO William Hilliard. “We look forward to working with the university to benefit both Kentucky farmers and consumers.”
Officials with the university and Atalo said the partnership initially will focus on two seed trials: one aimed at producing all male or all female plants, the other aimed at improving seed shelf-life.
The research will be headed by Ling Yuan, of UK’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, and Atalo researcher Tom Hutchens.