Community Calendar

Learning to grow hemp will be featured at the second, Central State University Extension (CSUE) Hemp Field Day, which will be held 5 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the CSU Agricultural Research and Extension Farm in Wilberforce. Located across State Route 42 from CSU Campus Drive, the farm is located directly beside by the CSU Water Tower.

The CSUE Hemp Field Day is free and open to all those growing or interested in growing hemp with information about the regulations for growing and marketing hemp also featured. Walking tours of the growing fields to see different varieties will be available to all participants.

Hemp provides new opportunities to Ohio farmers as a grain, fiber and medicinal crop, says Central State University Extension Ag and Natural Resources Program Leader Dr. Cindy Folck.

Grain hemp produces seed for raw consumption, animal feed, oil and protein cake. Fiber hemp generates two products: bast fiber (the fibrous outer portion of the stem) and hurd, (the woody inner core) that serve as raw materials for numerous industrial applications. Hemp can also be used for specialized medicinal products, such as cannabidiol or CBD.

“Potential growers should evaluate whether the crop fits their needs prior to planting hemp,” she adds. “Determining if hemp is suitable for a farm, as well as incorporating into new or existing practices, can be challenging.”

Speakers will include CSU Research Assistant Professor Craig Schluttenhofer, Ph.D., who will provide a tour of his hemp research at CSU.  Dr. Schluttenhofer is currently growing hemp varieties for fiber, grain and medicinal purposes at the research field facility.         

Ohio Department of Agriculture Hemp Program Executive Director David Miran, will speak about marketing opportunities and growing regulations.

“Hemp cannot be taken to the local farm cooperative to be sold like other Ohio commodities,” Dr. Folck says.  “Hemp processors must be licensed by the State of Ohio. Participants in the CSUE Hemp Field Day will learn where and how they can market their crop, as well as to obtain a license to produce hemp on their farm.”

The term hemp, Dr. Folck adds, is often times used in conjunction with or in lieu of
marijuana.  United State law, however, distinguishes between the two types of Cannabis sativaplants. As defined by state and federal legislation, hemp contains less than 0.3 percent of THC, which is the intoxicating compound found in Cannabis, on a dry weight basis.
                          
For more information, contact Central State University Extension Ag and Natural Resources Program Leader Dr. Cindy Folck This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..