As an emerging and highly regulated industry, the U.S. hemp sector faces unique challenges to sustainable growth. Despite the overwhelming interest in hemp, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding best practices for sustainable hemp production. 

The Ellison Lab at UW-Madison is working to address current high priority research areas determined by a hemp needs assessment conducted in the winter of 2019-2020.​ Regulatory compliance, flower quality, seed characteristics, insect management, weed management, and disease management are among the top priorities.

The Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center (WCIC) is also conducting important, novel hemp related research.​ ​Recently, the WCIC successfully developed the first transgenic hemp variety.

The Midwestern Hemp Research Collaborative (MHRC) is a research group consisting of representatives from Michigan State University, Purdue University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Michael Fields Agricultural Institute.​ ​All data generated by the MHRC and associated trials are integrated into the Midwestern Hemp Database (MHD), a public online repository consisting of the High Cannabinoid Database and Hemp Grain and Fiber Database for hemp variety performance data used to support stakeholder decision-making and risk mitigation. Since its creation in 2020, the MHD is the largest public hemp performance dataset we are aware of. 

With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, the legalization of hemp in the United States has provided a unique opportunity to build an entirely new agricultural sector and industry with opportunities along the whole supply chain. Unfortunately, current regulatory and market risks associated with hemp production have made establishment of this industry challenging.  UW-Madison Extension aims to help support this emerging industry and those looking to enter it. 

Oregon State University, in collaboration with the USDA, has put together the Industrial Hemp Stakeholder Database to bring visibility to the hemp industry for companies, farmers, handlers, distributors, and the general population throughout North America and beyond.

Interested/new growers may want to look at the following hemp budget enterprise models to help guide their decision making process.

• University of Tennessee Hemp Budgets
• University of Kentucky Hemp Budget

With limited seed certification standards in place, substantial variation across plant uniformity and performance metrics has been observed in hemp throughout the Midwest. This can make selecting reliable cultivars (and seed providers) a challenge. 

Fortunately, there are some resources available that can help you make the most informed decision possible. 

For High-Cannabinoid Hemp (CBD or CBG)

• The High Cannabinoid Database can be used to evaluate cultivars for cannabinoid production and may be a good place to start. 
• The Cultivar Check Program utilizes a network of grower-cooperators to conduct participatory on-farm trials to evaluate harvest schedules for select “good potential” cultivars. 
• Replicated university station trials evaluating regional variety performance.​

For Industrial Hemp (Grain/Fiber)

• The Hemp Grain and Fiber Database can be used to evaluate cultivars for cannabinoid production and may be a good place to start. 

• Replicated university station trials evaluating regional variety performance. ​
• Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) Hemp Varieties Eligible for Certification 

Yield and other agronomic performance metrics often vary across (and within) varieties. Grower experience/skill, geographic location, and weather also play a tremendous role in production. For this reason, growers may utilize the MHD for cannabinoid development but should prioritize university station trials as more useful/accurate sources of information for regional agronomic performance. 

• Example: A Wisconsin grower could search the Midwestern Hemp Database to determine a list of compliant hemp cultivars. From there, the cultivars could be cross-referenced with their agronomic performance in the University of Wisconsin-Madison hemp variety trials or the Cultivar Check Program prior to making their final selections. 

Hemp producers and processors are required to follow their respective state and federal regulations regarding hemp production and registration. Prospective growers must register within their state and adhere to the most current rules and regulations. Regulations are subject to change from year to year with the development and approval of proposed program rules. It is important to note that these regulations may vary across state lines. 

Wisconsin relinquished authority over their state hemp program to the USDA beginning in January 2022. Please see the links below for more information on the USDA Hemp Program, including how apply to become a hemp grower or processor.

Interested in getting a hemp production or processing license? Before you apply, take some time to review the USDA Hemp Final Rule to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations you must abide by. 

A little overwhelmed by the rules and regulations? Take a look at this USDA Hemp Final Rule Guide to walk you through it!

Have questions? Take a look at the USDA Hemp FAQ page or contact the USDA at farmbill.hemp@usda.gov. 

Decided you want to apply for a hemp grower/processor license? Apply at the USDA Industrial Hemp Website. 

Looking to get your hemp tested for compliance? Review the USDA Sampling Guidelines for Hemp as well as the Guidelines for Hemp and contact one of the USDA Approved Analytical Laboratories.
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Interested in learning more about industrial hemp production in the U.S.? Take some time to review the 2022 USDA National Hemp Report.

USDA Crop Insurance and Farm Loans
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Loans
Young Farmer Grant Program
Young Farmer and Agriculturist Program