UMES Helps P ave a Way to a Newly Legalized Hemp Industry

UMES Helps Pave a Way to a Newly Legalized Hemp Industry

On October 31, while the nation observed the day known for offering tricks as well as treats, the university’s first ever Industrial Hemp Conference gave only treats while attracting the attention of stakeholders as well as the local media.

Following a Hawk’s welcome from President Heidi Anderson, UMES researchers joined industry experts in providing the more than 200 attendees with up-to-the-minute information about the production and processing of the crop as well as about marketing and laboratory analyses and the legal and regulatory aspects of the business.

The industrial hemp industry is growing by the day as more and more farmers and ag professionals embark upon the commercial production of the cash crop. UMES responded to the prospect of creating a niche for area farmers by establishing in early 2019 its own Industrial Hemp Pilot Research Program, thereby providing an avenue for academic and agricultural research as well as for partnership efforts with stakeholders statewide. Dr. Sadanand Dhekney, associate professor within the Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, was chosen to head the Program, which attracted 11 partners who were part of the effort to study the production and management of industrial hemp.

“As anticipated, a significant number of farmers showed interest in the program,” said Dhekney. “The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s stringent selection process helped secure a productive outcome in terms of the farmers and ag professionals we have chosen as partners.”

In addition to working toward helping the farmers grow hemp on their own land, the UMES research team planted and maintained a hemp plot for CBD production at the Education and Demonstration Farm. Farmers and gardeners visiting the location had the opportunity to see the crop at various developmental stages and to obtain information about hemp production.

Along with Dhekney, Drs. Benham Khatabi and Simon Zebelo are guiding the research that will benefit growers in the state of Maryland. Under their leadership, several research projects have been completed, namely: Assessment of Hemp Propagation Techniques and Screening Industrial Hemp; Cultivars for Production of Cannabinoids; Identification and Characterization of Fungal Pathogens Causing Diseases of Hemp in Maryland; Hemp Diseases and Disorders in Maryland; and Cataloguing Insect Pests on Industrial Hemp and Studying the Effect of Insect Foraging on Chemical Profiles of Hemp Flowers.

President Anderson welcomes conference-goers.

WBOC-TV’s Faith Woodard interviews UMES’ Sadanand Dhekney.

UMES’ USDA Liaison Lisa Purnell poses with USDA/NIFA Chief of Staff and keynote speaker, William Hoffman.