DATCP Sees Massive Surge in Number of Hemp Growers

According to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, nearly 2,100 individuals and businesses have applied to grow or process industrial hemp in 2019. To date, 1,405 have applied to grow industrial hemp this year. Of those, 1,244 would be first-time growers. Processor applications are at 692, with 636 first-time applicants. That compares with 247 grower licenses and 100 processors licenses issued for 2018.  Brian Kuhn, director of the department’s Plant Industry Bureau, which houses the hemp program stated in response, “We attribute much of the increase to removal of industrial hemp from the controlled substances act as part of the 2018 farm bill late last year.” Industrial hemp was a major crop in Wisconsin in the first half of the 20th Century, mainly harvested for its fiber to make rope. Most growers today are growing either for CBD oil or grain.