Hemp production meeting set for Dec. 19
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Dec. 11, 2019
Fast facts
- West Arkansas hemp processor looking for farmers to grow small acreages
- Information meeting to cover do’s and don’ts, legalities of hemp production
- No cost to attend
- Register at (870) 584-3013 by Dec. 17
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LITTLE ROCK – The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will host an informational meeting on Thursday, Dec. 19, for producers interested in growing hemp.
The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Adams Building at UA Cossatot, 183 College Drive in De Queen, Arkansas.
Dr. Victor Ford, associate director of agriculture and natural resources for the Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, said there are a number of agriculture industry professionals who have already expressed interest in working with growers and the new crop. Among them is Richard Tyler, owner of Native Oklahoma Aquaponics Harvest, who said he plans to open a hemp processing facility and is interested in working with farmers in southwest Arkansas.
“Mr. Tyler is looking for farmers to grow small acreages of 5 to 40 acres,” Ford said. “The Division is still determining how to best grow these hemp varieties in western Arkansas, so this meeting will provide good information for anyone interested in growing hemp.”
Speakers include John Carlin, director of the Arkansas Crop Variety Improvement Program at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, who will discuss the 2019 hemp trials and 2020 program plans; Rusty Rumley, senior staff attorney for the National Agricultural Law Center, who will discuss the legalities of growing hemp, and Ford himself.
The Sevier County Farmers Co-Op will provide lunch. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required to ensure enough food is prepared for lunch. Anyone interested in attending is asked to RSVP by calling the Sevier County Extension Office at (870) 584-3013 by 4:30 p.m., Dec. 17.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact the Sevier County Extension Office at (870) 584-3013 as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
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Media Contact: Tracy Courage
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
tcourage@uada.edu