“When can we grow it legally?”
“What cultivars should I grow in Florida?”
“How are we going to process it?”
“Can I make money growing Industrial Hemp?”
Update of FDACS Legislation on Industrial Hemp
There are so many questions about this ancient crop that is now legal and being introduced to Florida. The Director of Cannabis with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Ms. Holly Bell, answered dozens of questions from approximately 100 local growers in the Tri-County Agriculture Area (TCAA) at the Putnam County Agriculture Center on July 29, 2019 regarding Industrial Hemp. Industrial Hemp is a close cousin to marijuana as they both come from the Cannabis sativa family, but Industrial Hemp has no more than 0.3% (dry matter basis) of the mind-altering component known as THC. So you can basically smoke it all day long and simply end up with a headache. FDACS will regulate the crop and they are currently in the rule-making process. Ms. Bell projected that farmers interested in growing this crop will be able to apply for an annual permit starting around October of 2019. She also suggested that it would take less than 30 days to get approved for a permit. All applicants will have to get fingerprinted and have a background check done to ensure that they have not been a convicted felon of narcotics within the last 10 years. As part of the permit stipulations, growers will have to obtain certified seed to grow the crop. Additionally, FDACS inspectors will have to be notified within 30 days of the crop harvest in order to oversee sampling activities to prove the crop contains 0.3% THC or less on a dry matter basis. These samples will be sent by farmers to an ISO certified lab to measure concentrations of THC. If the crops shows concentrations in excess of 0.3% THC, further analyses will be completed by FDACS and if confirmed, it will likely have to be destroyed.
Industrial Hemp Characteristics
UF/IFAS hosted their first Industrial Hemp Workshop and Field Day in Gainesville on July 30, 2019, and several of the same faces from the TCAA were present at this workshop. Dr. Zack Brym discussed the plant physiology and explained that Industrial Hemp is annual, herbaceous, and diecious (meaning that there are both male and female plants). There are essentially three major variety types depending on the end use – some varieties are for producing fiber, others for grain, and the most popular is for CBD (Cannabidiol which is an extracted oil used for medicinal purposes). The fiber varieties produce tall fibrous stalks that can be processed into rope, bioplastics, paper, hempcrete, etc. The CBD varieties are a smaller, bushy plant that produces flowers from which the CBD extraction occurs. Zack explained that female plants containing virgin flowers (i.e. those that have not been pollinated from male plants) are required for CBD production. Holly described the potential pitfalls associated with pollen drift that could cause cross-contamination of CBD varieties with fiber varieties, and so potential buffer zones will need to be considered as part of the policy-making strategies. Currently, the major money making market for Industrial Hemp is with the production of CBD. Holly estimated that it would cost growers around $15,000 to $20,000 per acre to grow; however, a profit margin of $15,000 to $20,000 per acre could be expected if the crop had good genetics and produced high quality CBD (i.e. 14% CBD).
Challenges with Industrial Hemp
There are many challenges associated with growing Industrial Hemp in Florida. The first challenge is where to obtain quality certified seed. For the UF Pilot Project, certified clean seed was difficult to obtain. Some of the seed imported by UF was contaminated with hemp aphids and some of the imported cuttings were contaminated with hemp russet mites, which are two pests not currently present in Florida. The material had to be quarantined and so only certain varieties could be used in the Statewide trials. The second challenge is with controlling pests. There are currently no EPA registered pesticides that are labelled for use on Industrial Hemp. Although soaps, oils and non-restricted use pesticides can be applied, the efficacy these products is very limited. The third challenge for Florida is light availability. Hemp performs best with long photoperiods of 12 to 14 hours of daylight. However, Florida summers do not have lengthy photoperiods relative to other prolific Hemp growing areas such as Colorado and Canada. Finally, Industrial Hemp looks, smells and tastes just like Marijuana, so if some curious onlookers see the crop growing in the field they may be tempted to remove it illegally. Thus, clear signage and protective fencing will be necessary to avoid unwanted visitors.
UF Pilot Project Near Gainesville
At the UF Workshop in Gainesville, Dr. John Erikson provided a field tour of the Hemp Pilot Project at the UF Forage Unit in Hague (just north of Gainesville). Other outdoor plantings include those at UF research facilities in Homestead, Quincy, Apopka, and Bivens Arm (Gainesville). In Hague, a variety trial including 25 different cultivars – 4 CBD varieties, 4 fiber varieties, 3 grain varieties, and 14 grain/fiber combination varieties – were planted on May 28, 2019. The certified seed for these varieties were imported from all over the world, but primarily Colorado, Canada, Italy and China. The disadvantage of this site is that it contains poorly drained sandy soil and the crop remained saturated after heavy rain events in the last couple weeks. One clear observation from this location is that Industrial Hemp does not like wet feet. Only about 50% of the seed actually emerged and growth was extremely stunted due to excessive moisture. The consensus is that Industrial Hemp in Florida should be grown on raised beds, ideally using plastic mulch to protect from pests and disease. The plants in Homestead are planted on well-drained sandy soils and are performing much better. UF has not yet established a recommended fertility program for Industrial Hemp but the current consensus on nitrogen requirements is three split applications of 150 kgN/ha (134lbN/A). UF has two full years from May 1, 2019 to complete their pilot project and provide recommendations to commercial growers interested in growing Industrial Hemp in Florida. Those seriously interested in growing the crop are visiting successful operations in Colorado and contracting consultants that have extensive experience growing Industrial Hemp. But the fact remains that Florida with its heat, humidity and excessive pest pressure is a whole new environment for Industrial Hemp and the existing genetics may not fit the bill. It will be interesting to see what comes of all the hype.
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Comments:
April 7, 2022
Thank you, Amy! I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with our Putnam County youth.
April 7, 2022
You are amazing and provide these kids, as well as, our community with positive encouragement. Keep being you!
April 6, 2022
Great article about this fun event! I enjoyed working with everyone, and the lunch was outstanding!
February 2, 2022
Hi there Very nice content and blog, I found it very informative and useful, hope to read more nice articles like this one around here, Keep sharing the best content, Best regards! Your follower Salvatore C.
January 7, 2022
Great Class. Learned a lot. Thank you.
December 7, 2021
Well done! Thanks for sharing this important information. I think most people are afraid to cut any roots or disturb the root ball, and fail to evaluate the issues you pointed out.
December 6, 2021
Thanks Julio, Nice Post!
November 29, 2021
Thanks! Trying a variety that is new to me sounds like fun.
November 29, 2021
It was a combination of orange-flesh cultivars that were put in the bags for the contest...we didn't want anyone to have an unfair advantage by only giving one cultivar. If you are interested in seeing all the sweet potato cultivars, we have them in crates at our Extension office...just go by the Putnam County Extension office in East Palatka and ask Kendra to show you...you can grab a couple samples while you are there...enjoy!
November 29, 2021
Hi! Which orange and purple cultivars were made available for the Azalea City/UF-IFAS sweet potato pie content? I picked up a bag of orange with the purple skin. Thanks in advance.
November 10, 2021
Hi Yvonne, I'm really glad to hear that you enjoyed the purples. Your comment reminded me that I need to add the flyer about our local sweet potato pie contest to the blog...will do right now...we are cohosting a contest with Azalea City Brewery located at 120 S. 7th Street in Palatka. The brewery will be giving out your choice of orange or purple sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving weekend and the contest will be on Friday December 3rd...hope you can participate! Thanks for your encouraging comment... Wendy
November 10, 2021
I really like those purple sweet potatoes. Last year I made "Purple Sweet Potato Pie bars" for Thanksgiving. We all enjoyed them, except my husband- the picky eater. But my toddler grandsons LOVED them and kept asking my daughter for more all week. They were a big hit.
November 2, 2021
Hi, Terrell and Gail, So happy to hear from you - Thank you for your feedback. I will definitely keep you posted and reach out to you directly!
November 2, 2021
If you ever have a seminar on this Gail and I would love to know more!
September 20, 2021
I would be happy to assist you please email me at pjulio@ufl.edu.
September 18, 2021
I can not find a picutre of my plant. I think it's some sort of pencil plant, but not sure. If I take a picture of it, can I email it to you and see if you can help me with it? It's very fast growing and needs very little care. Also wondering if I should stake it up to re-inforce it. I would like to have your e-mail so I can send it to you. Thank you. Judy
September 17, 2021
This pencil plants have done real well in containers in our yard in South Florida.
July 9, 2021
Sure...share it with anyone you'd like...I would also love to contact Palatka Daily News and see if they will do a version of the story!
July 1, 2021
Wendy, These cows are going to be eating eggplant for many years to come . Nice blog Tomas mangia melansana
July 1, 2021
Wendy: absolutely classic! I am very impressed. Let me know if it is okay to share with Putnam County commissioners. Thanks for the props!!
June 27, 2021
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June 16, 2021
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June 15, 2021
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I don't know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you aren't already ;) Cheers!
January 4, 2021
Insightful information for us beginners
November 30, 2020
Wow. Great article. I am so thankful for this info. Trusting that it will help. Will def share it with my audience of 350K followers on Insta.
November 14, 2020
Useful information lot of new thing getting a full of chance and make it easy to understand.
November 3, 2020
Thank you so much for sharing this very informative post. I surely have learned a lot from this article and would love to read more articles like this from you soon.
October 29, 2020
Thanks for sharing useful information. keep sharing.
October 12, 2020
I am first time visiting in this cattle form house but I am very impressed to see its management to give food to the cattle and its cleanliness.
October 6, 2020
Thanks for sharing information. keep sharing
October 4, 2020
I found this blog very useful. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for spreading awareness. I really love it. I am following your posts quite often. Keep it up!
September 10, 2020
Nice post! Thanks for sharing this.
August 31, 2020
Thanks for sharing information. keep sharing
August 10, 2020
Yes, I do believe what you are seeing is Sunn Hemp...In the past I did write a blog on Sunn Hemp https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/putnamco/2018/07/31/sunn-hemp-not-industrial-hemp/ But maybe I need to write a new blog and include the pictures of the plant when it is flowering! Thanks for the inspiration!
August 7, 2020
Dear Dr. Mussoline: I've noticed a crop that's new to me as I drive from my home 3 miles east of Picolata off CR 208 via 13a to 13 to 207 and on to St Mark's in Palatka where I'm the priest. The crop sort of looks like an Easter Lilly stalk with yellow flowers on the top. It isn't Sunn Hemp, I don't think. Would you tell me what it is? Blessings, Bob Marsh
April 23, 2020
JULIO, THANK YOU FOR THE BLOG "WHY USE SEEDS". IT IS ALWAYS FUN TO REFRESH OUR MEMORY AND LEARN NEW THINGS. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR NEXT BLOG. PHYLLIS
April 13, 2020
I really loved your post. I read your blog quite often and I just shared it on Pinterest. Keep up the good work.
April 9, 2020
Wendy Mussoline you and your team doing really good work for your society and I must thank you and I truly appreciate your work and your effort. once again I want to thank you and enjoy your blog.
April 6, 2020
Hi Michael, The UF/IFAS Putnam County Extension office could normally help you with this, but our offices are currently closed to the public due to COVID-19. At this time, your best bet is to collect your own soil samples and send them to the UF Soils Lab for analyses. They will email you results within a week or so. There is a fee associated with each sample and to determine that fee, you will need to consult the website for the lab to determine what type of soil sample you are submitting. Here is the website https://soilslab.ifas.ufl.edu/ESTL%20Tests.asp Be sure to send in the form with your samples. If you have further questions, please email me directly at wmussoli@ufl.edu
April 6, 2020
I live in Palatka and would like to get a soil sample analysis. Please tell me how I can do this. Thank you.
November 25, 2019
Hi Imre, We cannot recommend specific companies even if I was familiar with the area. However, you can visit: http://www.treesaregood.org/ and find a local certified arborist in your city. Either stump grinding or hack/squirt methods are effective. If it's a large tree though, you'll be better off stump grinding. Be sure to spray or paint on the herbicide immediately after cutting.
October 27, 2019
Hi, I moved into a house with a beautiful Chinese tallow. I hate to have it taken down, but it spreads like wild fire, the roots are growing under the house, and it is filthy when it sheds. The problem is the cost of removal. I live in Leesburg; do you know of an affordable tree removal service in my area? Also, should I have the stump grinded or just cut and apply herbicide? Thanks, Imre Hocker
September 5, 2019
Excellent explanation, it’s simple & focus. Keep up the great work!
July 4, 2019
Thanks Wendy. We e joyed having the kids there and look forward to participating with u and the kids at any opportunity.
July 4, 2019
i m one of them your regular viewers..its really amazing
May 6, 2019
We attended a Meat Sheep Alliance in Live Oak on 4-27-19 and learned about your work with sweet potatoes as a supplement for grazing/forage. We live in Callahan, FL (Nassau County) and wish to improve our acidic, clay soil (formerly a pine forest) for our 3 4-acre pastures. Should we plant sweet potatoes in our fields to supplement. We have 32 Katahdin sheep and need to do more rotational grazing and better nutrition. We also have 2 horses. We fight intestinal parasites and need better nutrition. We are trying supplements to our Pensacola Bahia and Tifton 9 pastures. Would this help? Thank you, Jon Hall and Leslie Burke 904-945-9535
February 26, 2019
that cute post
February 26, 2019
that nice post
February 8, 2019
Since the camphor tree is not on the Florida noxious weed list, you are not required to remove it. However, many organizations and institutions consider it an invasive species. If having it removed is in your financial budget, sure, have it taken down, but consult a certified arborist first. Sounds like there are several risky factors in your situation that doesn't have an easy, straightforward answer.
January 31, 2019
We recently moved to a new house in Ocoee. The backyard has a fairly large camphor tree. My granddaughter loves to climb in it and, of course, it provides lovely shade in an otherwise barren backyard. However, I've found it on this invasive species list. It's roots have begun to invade and cause damage to our neighbors' sprinkler system and fence. Should this tree come down and something else be placed in our yard? Please give us advise, as there is some dispute about this in our family and we seek facts. Feel free to email regarding your recommendations.
November 12, 2018
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October 23, 2018
Great blog, Wendy. It was truly a unique experience. Charles and I were thrilled to be representing First Coast Fresh - thanks to David Dinkins - and to showcase our unique, award winning datil pepper products from St. Augustine, Florida. There are so many wonderful things happening on the First Coast, and I am proud to be a part of it. Angela Bean, Old St. Augustine Gourmet
September 21, 2018
I was very pleased to discover this page. I want to to thank you for your time for this fantastic read!!
September 19, 2018
Hi Edward, The color depends on the variety/cultivar. We normally see red tendrils with vines that produce red grapes, and green tendrils with the rest. In fact, the tendrils are actually aborted flower clusters, which would have otherwise turned into fruits! I have to thank Dr. Sara Spayd from NC State University for assistance with this question. She's an extension viticulturist :)
September 12, 2018
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September 12, 2018
some genuinely interesting information, well written and generally user pleasant.
September 4, 2018
Why are some muscadine tindrels green and others are redish.
June 16, 2018
Please let me know when another program will be offered. If I had known, I would have signed up for the March program, Strong Body Fitness. Thank you
February 14, 2018
Hi Cindy. First, thank you for removing an invasive species!! There is still debate on the allelopathic effects of tallow on native vegetation. One paper noted that the tallow contains chemicals that inhibit growth of other plants, while another disproved it, but the study was specific to cypress trees. I'm happy that your lawn has returned. Maybe it just needed a friend to hang out with ;) Thanks for checking in!
February 14, 2018
I cut the Chinese tallows out of my yard and the next day the lawn started dying. Came back when I installed a live oak. Weird.
February 4, 2018
IFAS regional specialized Extension agent and director of the Hastings Agricultural Extension Center, hosts this event every year to inform growers on the latest research findings for cole crops.
January 27, 2018
I simply want to mention I'm beginner to weblog and seriously loved you're web page. Very likely I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You certainly have remarkable well written articles. Many thanks for sharing your website.
January 4, 2018
Hello Frances, we typically offer a class on vegetable gardening once or twice a year. The horticulture agent and Master Gardeners will be planning their workshops next week. Please check out our county website where upcoming classes will be posted on the calendar (putnam.ifas.ufl.edu), or contact us at 386-329-0318. Thanks
December 26, 2017
Does the Putnam County extension office have classes in annual vegetable gardening?
November 19, 2017
I was very pleased to discover this page. I want to to thank you for your time for this fantastic read!! I definitely loved every part of it and i also have you bookmarked to check out new things on your web site.
November 19, 2017
I was very pleased to discover this page. I want to to thank you for your time for this fantastic read!! I definitely loved every part of it and i also have you bookmarked to check out new things on your web site.
November 15, 2017
Hello Kim! If you don't mind, please send me a photo (pfletch@ufl.edu) of the caterpillars before I make a recommendation. First step of IPM is identification! Also, have you tested your soil nutrients within the past year? If not, go with a low grade fertilizer similar to 6-4-6. We try to avoid fertilizers with a high phosphorus percentage (the middle number) unless your soil is deficient. Leafy greens also benefit from a side dressing of nitrogen, such as ammonium sulfate. Be sure to apply it very conservatively and just outside of the leaves to avoid burning the plant.
November 14, 2017
Hi Prissy, I am seeing small caterpillars on my collards and kale. What is the best option for spraying on leaves I will be eating soon? Also what fertilizer do I use on my leafy greens? Thank you!
Comments are closed.