UF/IFAS’s Industrial Hemp Pilot Project’s hemp research trials are getting underway on 20 commercial farms across The Sunshine State.

Florida Hemp Research Trials are going forward as part of UF/IFAS’s Industrial Hemp Pilot Project on 20 commercial farms in 12 different counties in Florida, according to a Citrus Industry article. Hemp has been touted as an alternative crop, especially for Florida citrus growers hit hard by citrus greening. Explore the details below.

Details of the Florida Hemp Research Trials

Hemp Pilot Project Coordinator and UF/IFAS agronomy assistant professor Zachary Brym maintained in the article that the sites were chosen to explore what climate and conditions work best for hemp. “When choosing growers, we looked carefully at each application to evaluate what each grower could bring to the project and if they could satisfy the objectives of the coordinated trial while meeting the required security measures,” he said.

Growers are starting out with two acres per operation to study a number of areas, including:

  • The impacts of the environment
  • The role soil plays
  • Access to water
  • How hemp grows

Growers then can choose to add another three acres as part of an independent research trial that focuses on industry development, Brym said in the article. For those growers who choose to add three acres, they must submit a plan outlining a research topic—such as variety trials, fertilizer trials, irrigation system design, equipment tests and more—goals, and the methods they will be using.

“This is an excellent opportunity to grow our community with farmers that share the UF/IFAS mission to make information available broadly on growing hemp. UF/IFAS Extension agents play a major part in this effort to work with the farmers in their area and help share the information we gain from this research.” Brym said in the article.

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.