What has the introduction of hemp as a crop in Kentucky done to the agricultural market?
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Horticulture
Minor
Business
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Jeffrey Young
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Cannabis sativa, also known as Industrial hemp, is a crop that has been reintroduced into Kentucky’s agricultural market as of 2014. Hemp has a long history in the roots of Kentucky, being one of its largest cash crops throughout the 1800s and early 1900. However, when hemp was classified as a Schedule I narcotic in 1950 under the Controlled Substance Act it quickly lost popularity in the state. However, after the Agricultural Act of 2014 promoted hemp production for research and industrial purposes, Kentucky has begun to change its crop production.
Farmer and large-scale companies alike are switching from tobacco production to hemp. With the decline in American smoking habits the tobacco industry is one that can no longer support the same amount of farmers that it did in previous decades. Hemp production though, due to it high demand and its relatively few competitors, is becoming a more promising endeavor to farmers.
As farmers in Kentucky transition to hemp production, many are discovering the challenges that it takes to produce the crop. Producers need to learn quickly and efficiently what environment and conditions that the plant needs to thrive. Farmers are forced to look at the opportunity cost of getting involved in the production of hemp, and many need to decide if their facilities can sustain harvesting hemp for the coming years. Despite the challenges though, farmers across the state are transitioning to hemp production. Their decisions are creating new opportunities and helping the agricultural market in Kentucky to change.
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Honors College Senior Theses
What has the introduction of hemp as a crop in Kentucky done to the agricultural market?
Cannabis sativa, also known as Industrial hemp, is a crop that has been reintroduced into Kentucky’s agricultural market as of 2014. Hemp has a long history in the roots of Kentucky, being one of its largest cash crops throughout the 1800s and early 1900. However, when hemp was classified as a Schedule I narcotic in 1950 under the Controlled Substance Act it quickly lost popularity in the state. However, after the Agricultural Act of 2014 promoted hemp production for research and industrial purposes, Kentucky has begun to change its crop production.
Farmer and large-scale companies alike are switching from tobacco production to hemp. With the decline in American smoking habits the tobacco industry is one that can no longer support the same amount of farmers that it did in previous decades. Hemp production though, due to it high demand and its relatively few competitors, is becoming a more promising endeavor to farmers.
As farmers in Kentucky transition to hemp production, many are discovering the challenges that it takes to produce the crop. Producers need to learn quickly and efficiently what environment and conditions that the plant needs to thrive. Farmers are forced to look at the opportunity cost of getting involved in the production of hemp, and many need to decide if their facilities can sustain harvesting hemp for the coming years. Despite the challenges though, farmers across the state are transitioning to hemp production. Their decisions are creating new opportunities and helping the agricultural market in Kentucky to change.