Kentucky’s 2015 Hemp Crop to Exceed 1,700 Acres; Up from 33 Acres in 2014

The Daily Chronic
At a news conference Tuesday, state Agriculture Commissioner James Comer announced that 121 participants have been selected to grow hemp in Kentucky this year, including seven universities across the state. There are 36 groups and projects that will grow 1,742 acres this year, Cormer said.
http://www.thedailychronic.net/2015/43035/kentuckys-2015-hemp-crop-to-exceed-1700-acres-up-from-33-acres-in-2014/

Kentucky CBD: Back to the Future with Industrial Hemp

Smell the Truth
GenCanna, working with its strategic local partners, immediately distinguished themselves by establishing the state’s first dedicated analytical laboratory in Lexington.  Since compliance with potency levels is vitally important, regulators from KDA and scientists from universities were invited into the lab to observe and confer.  The Hemp Kentucky Project is compiling significant internal data for use in future agricultural production decisions.

The Hemp Kentucky Project now employs over 40 people at facilities in Jackson and Garrard Counties.  Close working relationships with nursery and farming families have led to high expectations for the 2015 outdoor season.  Because GenCanna specializes in industrial hemp with high CBD (Cannabidiol), it is necessary to have defined protocols at all stages of the growth and processing cycle.  This new-aged approach to the ancient industrial hemp cultivation and production techniques has been enabled by the quick adoption of modern standards at both locations.
http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2015/05/12/kentucky-cbd-back-to-the-future-with-industrial-hemp/

Hemp industry is growing in Kentucky, attracting processors, investment

kentucky.com
"With their investment, jobs have been created, jobs are going to be created, and they've signed contracts with family farmers," Comer said. "Hemp equals jobs and true economic growth, which is what we predicted when we launched Senate Bill 50 two years ago."
http://www.kentucky.com/2015/05/05/3836959/hemp-growing-in-kentucky-attracting.html

Hemp pilot projects finding fertile ground in Kentucky

Business Lexington
Kentucky is entering its second year of industrial hemp pilot projects. The first round in 2014 produced a wealth of data about production methods, seed varieties, harvesting, processing techniques and uses for harvested hemp.

“We’re looking to conduct a wide scope of pilot projects in 2015,” said Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, a strong advocate for hemp and a Republican candidate for governor.

“There are more agriculture processors in Kentucky today making an investment in the state, signing contracts and hiring people. This is something we’ll be able to look back at and say ‘This was a good decision,’” said Comer.
http://bizlex.com/2015/03/hemp-pilot-projects-finding-fertile-ground-in-kentucky/

Kentucky’s great hemp hope

Aljazeera America
Mike Lewis, a farmer who employs veterans on his farm, was recruited by Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer to join the state's hemp crusade.
http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/11/12/kentucky-s-greathemphope.html

Hemp Harvested in MSU Pilot Program; Numerous Officials Take Part in National Bioenergy Day

Murray Ledger and Times
“I saw an issue of Popular Mechanics from 1937 that was declaring hemp as ‘America’s new billion-dollar crop,’” said Dr. Tony Brannon, dean of the MSU Hutson School of Agriculture that participated in a pilot program made possible by both the office of Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer and Congress’ passage of the latest farm bill. Industrial hemp was declared illegal shortly after that story appeared, as it began being linked to narcotics use, as more recent findings indicate, perhaps unfairly.
http://murrayledger.com/news/hemp-harvested-in-msu-pilot-program-numerous-officials-take-part/article_503dafa8-5a5c-11e4-8a3f-73a1ba763df0.html