Famers who are becoming anxious to cultivate hemp as a part of a newly authorized Minnesota pilot project are displaying frustration after being told by state regulators that opportunity will not come soon.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture told interested farmers in a recent email that there “are no opportunities to be involved with the pilot program at this time” because of lack of money from the Legislature and scarcity of independently funded researchers stepping forward. The posture has surprised lawmakers who championed the “Industrial Hemp Development Act” as well as discouraged cultivators who are looking to start planting seeds next spring.
“It kind of stinks,” said Josh Helberg, a Stevens County farmer who was looking to utilize a section of his 250 acres for a test hemp crop. “What does Minnesota want to do: Do we want to be left behind everybody or do some research of this incredible crop and get more money into farmers’ pockets?”
Zumbrota’s Andrew Johnmeyer, another small farmer who presented to the state about potential involvement, stated he understands the challenges of getting started yet he is concerned it will languish if it relies on lawmakers coming through with funds next year.
The email from the agriculture department’s point person, Tony Cortilet, stated officials are thinking about approaching the Legislature to finance a competitive grant program.
Cortilet stated Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson “is aware of the strong interest from producers like you to be involved with the pilot program, however without funding the program must rely on researchers coming forward with their own resources.”
Republican state Rep. Mary Franson of Alexandria, who backed the hemp law, stated the department did not as for funds towards the program as the bill progressed. Mary Franson gave regulators the access to impose fees to cover cost.
Senate chief sponsor, Democrat Kent Eken of Twin Valley, stated the issue about funding “comes as a surprise to me.” “I wasn’t hearing anything about the need for more funding to get this pilot project off the ground,” he said.
Lawmakers will not meet again until March and decisions will not be determined until May Meaning another growing season could be at risk.
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