Organic Production of Hemp in Indiana

Industrial hemp appears to be well-suited for organic production and markets exist for organic hemp products. However, industrial hemp has not been grown in Indiana for decades and there are critical gaps in both infrastructure and knowledge. Research must be initiated now to ensure that organic farmers are able to make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes when hemp is legalized. Research is underway on certified organic land in Indiana to evaluate the effect of planting date on the performance of seed and fiber hemp varieties from Canada and Europe. We will discuss results from our recently initiated study and our plans to expand our research from university research stations to certified organic farms in Indiana. We will also discuss our experience with the organic certification process for industrial hemp.