Local farmers rolling the dice on hemp

MARYLAND – It’s on an industrial crop that’s gaining a lot of traction here on the shore and nationwide after the federal government made it legal to grow in the United States.

“When you shift hemp from the DEA to the Department of Ag it sends a message,” explains Anthony Darby, CEO of Peninsula Alternative Health.

For the first time in almost a century American farmers can grow hemp legally.

Salisbury University Biology Professor Dr. Mark Holland says, “Can you imagine another crop that gets introduced brand new or sensually no one has any experience with it in the past?”

It’s a crop that’s in high demand right now, one that’s drawing a lot of interest as a potential moneymaker.

“There’s a lot of different ways to grow hemp and some of them are more lucrative than others but for the folks that are growing for CBD like I mentioned earlier some of those folks are garnering $10,000 an acre which compared to a soybean or corn closer to 2000.”

It’s becoming a very popular new crop, one that farmers are already diving into here on the shore. In fact, Salisbury University is working with 23 farmers who are rolling the dice on hemp.

Dr. Holland adds, “Many of our growers are interested in growing for flowers but we do have some growing for fiber I don’t think we have any growing for seed or grain right now.”

But since no one has grown hemp on the shore before this year Salisbury University Biology Professor Dr. Mark Holland says its almost a waiting game to see how it will do.

Holland says, “We’ll see how adaptable it is to our conditions. One summer it could be raining every week, every time you turn around it seems. Other times we don’t see a drop of rain in between Memorial Day and Labor Day so this will be a challenge.”

But if all goes well, many believe hemp could become a major alternative crop for local farmers.

Darby says, “It’s a very strong crop to grow so for farmers that may not have the resources to buy the $200,000 combines and looking for a low technology high-yield crop hemp is going to be a good option for them.”

Right now in Maryland, farmers who are growing hemp are required to be a part of a research pilot program, but next year that won’t be the case.

Any farmer will be able to apply for license to grow hemp, which many say could be a great opportunity for farmers to bring in more profit if all goes well.