Hemp: What’s Happening In Wisconsin?

After a big year in 2020, interest in growing and processing hemp in Wisconsin has dropped off considerably.

In Wisconsin, hemp growers and processors must register annually.

In 2019, Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) received 1,491 grower and 738 processor applications. 4,513 acres were planted and 4,037 acres harvested during the 2019 season.

In 2020, 1,537 grower and 761 processor applications were received. 5,444 acres were planted and as for the 2020 season’s harvest, that figure isn’t available yet.

Speaking with Wisconsin Public Radio, DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski said the situation wasn’t unique to Wisconsin, with other states seeing a slide in interest.

Mr. Romanski said that among the issues, continued changes in federal government regulation may be playing a role. There is also some uncertainty in the market after recent biomass gluts and some industry participants are facing the reality that dealing with the crop is accompanied by a steep learning curve. Perhaps coming into play as well may be higher corn and soybean prices this year luring farmers back to those more traditional crops.

Also looming over farmers is the threat of the feds according to Wisconsin Hemp Farmers & Manufacturers Association Phillip Scott.

“If I have a plant go over (the legal limit of THC) in the field, I’m going to have the DEA knocking at my door,” said Mr. Scott. “That’s a scary thought. If you’re doing the right thing, you shouldn’t have those fears, but it is there.”

Wisconsin is still operating its hemp program under provisions contained in the 2014 Farm Bill, which it is permitted to do until December 31 this year. After that time, it must operate in line with the 2018 Farm Bill, which includes submitting a hemp plan to the USDA – and having it approved.

Once a leading producer of industrial hemp prior to prohibition, hemp didn’t make a return to the state until 2018 after then-Governor Scott Walker signed Senate Bill 119 into law late in 2017.