Industrial Hemp
RESEARCH
VSU'S ROLE IN GROWING INDUSTRIAL HEMP
In 2015, Virginia lawmakers authorized the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to enter into a memorandum of understanding with universities within the Commonwealth to grow industrial hemp for research purposes. This came as a result of the passage of the 2014 Farm Bill Section 7606 by the U.S. Congress and the subsequent enactment of the Industrial Hemp Law by Virginia General Assembly in 2015.
As a result, Virginia State University, Virginia Tech and James Madison University began conducting industrial hemp research that will position the state to provide the necessary information farmers will need to successfully grow the crop.
Virginia State University started to conduct field research on industrial hemp in 2016 season and continues the work today. Researchers at VSU evaluate and identify industrial hemp varieties for seed, seed oil, and biofuel production that are adapted to Virginia climatic conditions. Optimum planting dates and fertilizer levels for maximum industrial hemp seed and fiber yields are investigated. The research will also compare the quality of industrial hemp seed and fiber under different growing conditions. The results from this research will be shared with the public through the Virginia Cooperative Extension program.
WHY CONDUCT RESEARCH ON HEMP IN VIRGINIA?
Industrial hemp could become a major cash crop for farmers and help enhance social, economic, and solidarity efforts in Virginia.
Renewed interest in hemp comes from its broad array of uses and it has often been called the 25,000 uses crop.
However, there are a number of research questions regarding crop production, pest management, and marketing that must be addressed before industrial hemp becomes a profitable crop in our state.
All crops have issues with respect to production, however, with a crop like hemp, which was banned in the United States for over 80 years, large information gaps have developed with regards to production, pest management and economic impact.