Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Senate Bill 261 passed in Montana in 2001 allowing the production of hemp as an agricultural crop.
But farming officials say it's taken the past 16 years to get the crop into the ground due to federal regulations surrounding hemp's cannabinoid status.
Montana is now one of three states to allow industrial hemp farming and producers are hoping to benefit from the specialty crop.
"We have 10 producers now in the state who have planted 529 acres of industrial hemp this year," said Montana Farmers Union Projects Specialist and Lobbyist Chris Christiaens.
"It's really an experiment of only about 6 acres out of 4,000 so it's a very small portion but we're very interested in what's happening," said Bob Quinn.
Quinn operates an organic farm near Big Sandy and says he sees the value specialty crops like hemp could add to his soil.
"This is entirely a different crop to put in rotation, which helps break up cycles of diseases, weeds and pests and therefore we don't have the need for chemically-compounded pesticides," said Quinn.
He says the plant could also bring in additional revenue for his farm.
"We can get up to $500 an acre, or $600 in a good crop year from our organic grain and from what we're estimating the hemp could even exceed two or three times that amount so that would be an enormous return," said Quinn.
He says they planted late this year, but the crop seems to be growing faster than anticipated.
Quinn planted the hemp June 12 and says they've seen the variety grow several inches each week. He says harvest time will be in September.
"From what we've seen so far we're very optimistic," said Quinn.
Christiaens says hemp can be used in a number of ways including cosmetics, paints and cooking oils.
For more information on industrial hemp in Montana, visit Industrial Hemp | The Montana Department of Agriculture.
From the Montana Department of Agriculture website:
Approved Types of Products in the Montana Hemp Pilot Program
All other applicable federal and state regulations apply to the production of hemp products for human consumption and other uses (e.g. FDA, DPHHS). This list is not all inclusive and just includes examples of potential products from the pilot program. Pilot participants are allowed to harvest and process any hemp seed, oils, fiber, and hurd that they produce. They may process these items themselves or sell them for processing or use. All hemp produced must be processed before leaving Montana. Commercial production outside the Montana Hemp Pilot Program is not currently allowed under state or federal law.
-Flour and other processed grain/seed food products
-Cosmetics (including soap, shampoo, lip balm, lotion, etc.)
-Alcoholic beverages (including beer and distilled and infused spirits)
-Industrial oil applications (including lubricants, resins, coatings, packaging, and paints)
-Cannabinoid oils (including CBD for food, cosmetic, and health products)
-Animal bedding
-Building materials (including insulation, plaster, fiberboard, and structural composites)
-Textile products (including clothing, canvas, rope/twine, carpeting, paper, etc.)
-Bio-composite material
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Producers look toward industrial hemp future in Montana - KTVQ.com | Q2 | Continuous News Coverage | Billings, MT
Author: Keeley Van Middendorp
Contact: Contact Us - KTVQ.com | Q2 | Continuous News Coverage | Billings, MT
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Website: Home - KTVQ.com | Q2 | Continuous News Coverage | Billings, MT
But farming officials say it's taken the past 16 years to get the crop into the ground due to federal regulations surrounding hemp's cannabinoid status.
Montana is now one of three states to allow industrial hemp farming and producers are hoping to benefit from the specialty crop.
"We have 10 producers now in the state who have planted 529 acres of industrial hemp this year," said Montana Farmers Union Projects Specialist and Lobbyist Chris Christiaens.
"It's really an experiment of only about 6 acres out of 4,000 so it's a very small portion but we're very interested in what's happening," said Bob Quinn.
Quinn operates an organic farm near Big Sandy and says he sees the value specialty crops like hemp could add to his soil.
"This is entirely a different crop to put in rotation, which helps break up cycles of diseases, weeds and pests and therefore we don't have the need for chemically-compounded pesticides," said Quinn.
He says the plant could also bring in additional revenue for his farm.
"We can get up to $500 an acre, or $600 in a good crop year from our organic grain and from what we're estimating the hemp could even exceed two or three times that amount so that would be an enormous return," said Quinn.
He says they planted late this year, but the crop seems to be growing faster than anticipated.
Quinn planted the hemp June 12 and says they've seen the variety grow several inches each week. He says harvest time will be in September.
"From what we've seen so far we're very optimistic," said Quinn.
Christiaens says hemp can be used in a number of ways including cosmetics, paints and cooking oils.
For more information on industrial hemp in Montana, visit Industrial Hemp | The Montana Department of Agriculture.
From the Montana Department of Agriculture website:
Approved Types of Products in the Montana Hemp Pilot Program
All other applicable federal and state regulations apply to the production of hemp products for human consumption and other uses (e.g. FDA, DPHHS). This list is not all inclusive and just includes examples of potential products from the pilot program. Pilot participants are allowed to harvest and process any hemp seed, oils, fiber, and hurd that they produce. They may process these items themselves or sell them for processing or use. All hemp produced must be processed before leaving Montana. Commercial production outside the Montana Hemp Pilot Program is not currently allowed under state or federal law.
-Flour and other processed grain/seed food products
-Cosmetics (including soap, shampoo, lip balm, lotion, etc.)
-Alcoholic beverages (including beer and distilled and infused spirits)
-Industrial oil applications (including lubricants, resins, coatings, packaging, and paints)
-Cannabinoid oils (including CBD for food, cosmetic, and health products)
-Animal bedding
-Building materials (including insulation, plaster, fiberboard, and structural composites)
-Textile products (including clothing, canvas, rope/twine, carpeting, paper, etc.)
-Bio-composite material
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Producers look toward industrial hemp future in Montana - KTVQ.com | Q2 | Continuous News Coverage | Billings, MT
Author: Keeley Van Middendorp
Contact: Contact Us - KTVQ.com | Q2 | Continuous News Coverage | Billings, MT
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Website: Home - KTVQ.com | Q2 | Continuous News Coverage | Billings, MT
