What's new
First Hemp Field in South Dakota
District 20 State Senator Josh Klumb joined Doug Cunningham on Todays Farm Life to discuss his seven acre industrial hemp field and what he has learned since planting on May 19th. Check out the great interview here.
Hemp being used to help redevelop Aby's complex in downtown Rapid City
The Rapid City Journal has a great article on hempcrete being used right here in SD! Owner Jeremy Briggs says he's told it’s the only hempcrete recording studio in the world. RC Journal article can be found here.
Growing Hemp in South Dakota
Check out SDIHA Vice President Derrick Dohmann on Todays Farm Life discussing the cost and logistics of growing industrial hemp in South Dakota!
HB1228 Signed into Law
HB1228, an act to revise provisions regarding industrial hemp and to declare an emergency, was overwhelmingly supported by the SD Legislature and signed into law by Governor Kristi Noem on March 25th. The association-led bill sought changes to reduce the regulation and red tape from the industry while maintaining compliance with federal regulations. Changes to the program include: decreasing the minimum acre amount from 5 to 1/2 acre and adding the option for greenhouses in the state. The bill also removed the 60 day application window farmers had to apply for a license to grow industrial hemp in the state. The initial deadline for the 2021 growing season was February 24, 2021 but after the passage of HB1228, the Department of Ag (now DANR) has indicated they are continuing to accept applications and issue licenses. Other changes made in HB1228 can be found here: https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/api/Documents/218900.pdf.
USDA Domestic Hemp Production Program Issues Final Rule
There are several changes to the final rule that make the domestic hemp production program more flexible for States and Tribes including increasing the pre-harvest inspection window from 15 days to 30 days. The final rule goes into effect on March 22, 2021. States and Tribes wishing to manage hemp programs in their jurisdictions must have a plan approved under the new final rule. States and Tribes have until December 31st, 2021 to transition from operating under the previous 2014 Farm Bill provisions to the new final rule provisions. Check out the full story by Jeffrey Davis here.
Legislative Reception a Huge Success!
The SD Industrial Hemp Association held its first legislative reception and educational forum in Pierre on February 17-18. Interested growers, processors, equipment dealers, testing laboratories gathered with lawmakers to discuss the inaugural growing season in South Dakota since the prohibition of industrial hemp. Day two was filled with information from industry leaders around the country.