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Hemp growers eyeing farm bill discussions
The president of the Illinois Hemp Growers Association says the extension of the 2018 Farm Bill means their industry can continue to flourish under current federal regulations.
Rachel Berry says the hemp industry is closely monitoring the ongoing negotiations of a new five-year bill.
“There are talks of changing the farm bill and making things more strict, not as strict as the play that was just pushed here in Illinois.” She says, “There’s also a lot of movement to keep things the same.”
She tells Brownfield the past six years have seen major gains for the hemp industry, such as recent approval for hemp grain to be included in poultry feed.
“I think the most exciting change is the industrial fiber processing for building materials.” She says, “There’s a lot of absorbents being made. Plastic alternatives like bioplastics, and then even Wisconsin opened a battery plant this year.”
Berry says long-term, common-sense regulations are needed to attract more growers and ensure continued growth in hemp markets and products.
AUDIO: Rachel Berry – Illinois Hemp Growers Association
Tags: bioplastics, Congress, Farm Bill, hemp, hemp legislation, hemp markets, hemp processing, hemp products, hemp regulations, hemp uses, Illinois Hemp Growers Association, industrial fiber
The president of the Illinois Hemp Growers Association says the extension of the 2018 Farm Bill means their industry can continue to flourish under current federal regulations. Rachel Berry says the hemp industry is closely monitoring the ongoing negotiations of a new five-year bill. “There are talks of changing the farm bill and making things Read More
