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Hemp

Hemp Research Needs Roadmap

USDA and Oregon State University’s Global Hemp Innovation Center jointly held a National Hemp Industry Research Needs Workshop in November 2022, to identify the gaps, challenges, and opportunities for research to support development of a globally competitive U.S. hemp industry. Based on stakeholder input from the workshop and feedback from leaders and constituents of the hemp industry, the Hemp Research Needs Roadmap was developed and identifies the greatest four areas of need.

Read the Roadmap (PDF, 23.6 MB)

Examples of Specific Audience Uses of the Hemp research Needs Roadmap

This Roadmap provides guidance and information for many different audiences. Below is a one-pager with examples of how different audiences can use the information provided.

Read the Audience Uses One-pager (PDF, 158 KB)

Watch Recorded Presentations from the Workshop

As part of the 2022 National Hemp Industry Research Needs Workshop, videos were pre-recorded by experts addressing the following topics and are still available to view:

Important Information

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) authorized the production of hemp and removed hemp and hemp seeds from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) schedule of Controlled Substances. It also directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue regulations and guidance to implement a program to create a consistent regulatory framework around production of hemp throughout the United States. The establishment of hemp as a regulated commodity also paves the way for U.S. hemp farmers to participate in other USDA farm programs.

U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program

The U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program establishes federal regulatory oversight of the production of hemp in the United States. The program authorizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to approve plans submitted by states and Indian tribes for the domestic production of hemp and establishes a federal plan for producers in states or territories of Indian tribes that choose not to administer a State or Tribe-specific plan provided also that the state or Tribe does not ban hemp production.

Continue reading for information about hemp production plans, guidelines for sampling and testing procedures, disposing of plants not meeting necessary requirements and licensing requirements.

Learn More Read the Regulation

Hemp and Farm Program Eligibility

The Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Risk Management Agency (RMA) are enabled to provide guidance on eligibility for farm programs including hemp. Once production plans are approved and licenses are issued, hemp producers may be eligible for many USDA programs, including:

  • Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP)
  • Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
  • NRCS-administered conservation programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Regional Conservation Partnership Program, and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
  • Farm loans, including operating, ownership, beginning farmer, and farm storage facility

Learn More

Additional Hemp Activities at the USDA