The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is accepting applications from Kentucky farmers and processors for 2015 industrial hemp pilot projects.
Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said his department is looking to conduct a wide scope of projects next year.
“The first round of pilot projects with the universities and individual farmers in 2014 yielded a tremendous amount of data about production methods, seed varieties, harvesting and processing techniques, and uses for the harvested hemp,” said Comer in a media release.
The applications, which must be completed by January 1, must include the physical address for the production fields where the industrial hemp will be grown, processed or stored, providing global positioning coordinates for the property if possible. All chosen applicants will undergo background checks and site visits, and individuals with a felony drug conviction within 10 years of submitting an application will not be eligible to participate.
Applications are available for download online at www.kyagr.com/hemp. Applications must be completed electronically and submitted to doris.hamilton@ky.gov. Completed applications may also be mailed to Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Industrial Hemp Program, 111 Corporate Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601.
Successful applicants will be notified in late January. For more information on Kentucky’s industrial hemp program, check online at www.kyagr.com/hemp.