March 2024

Why Grow Hemp?

In 2023, more fiber hemp was grown in Colorado which is encouraging news for an emerging sector of the industry.

According to Hemp Data and Statistics provided by Beau Whitney, Chief Economist, “hemp is an economically viable crop”.

2023 fiber hemp crop in the San Luis Valley.

The Hemp Advisory Committee (HAC) will meet at 305 Interlocken Parkway in Broomfield with a virtual option on March 19, 2024 from 1-3 pm via Zoom.

The agenda includes:

• Hemp Program Updates and information about Market Orders, 
• AAFCO tentative feed approval, and
• an open discussion on various topics related to hemp industry opportunities and challenges.

For more information about the public meeting, agenda and registration, please visit the Hemp Advisory Committee Meeting page. 

USDA is currently offering 3 grants that are eligible for hemp producers:

• Value Added Producer Grant,
• Rural Energy for America Program (small businesses),
• Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program

For more information visit grants.gov, key word “hemp”.

It is now a federal statute to create an FSA “lot” number and report your hemp plantings to CDA as well as FSA.

Contact the local FSA office to create a farm record. If transplanting the hemp crop, FSA will not issue a lot number until the hemp is in its final location within your registered land area (“RLA”). If your hemp crop acreage is solely planted outside within your RLA, a crop report will need to be completed with FSA after planting.

For more details about registering with the FSA and other Hemp Program requirements, please refer to the frequently asked questions on our website or contact hemp@state.co.us.

The deadline for hemp producers to register with FSA is July 15, 2024.

You must call your local FSA Office to be added to the Crop Reporting Register. Failure to register with FSA is a violation of Hemp Rule 8 CCR 1203, Part 3.7 and may result in a civil penalty.

Hemp Seed Meal Approval Marks Regulatory Milestone

In 2024, the hemp and animal feed industries made history with a recommendation from the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine to move the hemp seed meal for laying hens definition forward.

This means that the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Ingredient Definition Committee (IDC) was able to tentatively approve the hemp seed meal for laying hens definition. Read the story from the National Hemp Association.

The hempcrete house and solar workshop/greenhouse was designed and built by Aliyah Field with hemp hurd fiber sourced from Monte Vista, CO.