IT’S BEEN A DIFFICULT YEAR FOR FARMERS…BUT AGRICULTURE OFFICIALS AT THE STATE FAIR SAY THERE ARE A FEW BRIGHT SPOTS. 

THE BIGGEST SUCCESS IN 2019 SO FAR IS THE STATE’S NEW INDUSTRIAL HEMP PROGRAM. ILLINOIS AG DIRECTOR JOHN SULLIVAN SAYS THEY STARTED TAKING APPLICATIONS FROM PRODUCERS SEEKING TO GROW HEMP ON MAY FIRST…AND IN THE FIRST 24 HOURS…250 HAD SIGNED UP.

SULLIVAN SAYS THEY ALSO ARE PLEASED WITH A PROGRAM THEY STARTED, GIVING FARMERS WITH PREVENTED PLANTING ACRES AN INCENTIVE TO PLANT COVER CROPS.

ADDITIONALLY, SULLIVAN SAYS THE STATE’S INDUSTRIAL HEMP PROGRAM IS REALLY TAKING OFF, WITH MORE THAN 13-HUNDRED APPLICATIONS TURNED IN SINCE MAY FIRST TO EITHER GROW OR PRODUCE HEMP IN ILLINOIS.