Hemp has been legal in Florida since 2017, but state researchers say that the Sunshine State’s unusual climate means it could be years before private farmers can sign up to try the new crop.
Florida wants to make sure hemp isn’t invasive in its warm, humid climate, according to Growing Produce, a trade publication for specialty crop growers.
Most of Florida is considered a humid subtropical climate, but south Florida is the only tropical area in the mainland U.S. That could change how hemp performs.
Robert Gilbert, chairman of the University of Florida’s Agronomy Department, said future sustainability of an industrial hemp industry in the Sunshine State requires a preliminary assessment of the crop and cropping systems prior to commercialization.
“We are in the process of choosing locations in south, central and north Florida to encompass the broad range of climate and soils where hemp may be grown,” Gilbert said.
Jerry Fankhauser, assistant director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, said Florida’s ability to produce hemp for a burgeoning oil, fiber and feedstock industry is appealing, but still daunting.
“Given the challenges associated with obtaining industrial hempseed from other states, Canada and even Europe, it may be late 2018 into 2019 before the first trials are in the ground,” he said.
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Uhh, get seed from india or china! And when it does spread everywhere- it can be utilized for all of its potential. Do some more research researchers..
Don’t leave out Vietnam – can get seeds from – Lucky’s Booth at Bonanza – 100 seed packets under $10.00 US with free shipping
While widely touted, and so called “invasive species” concern for hemp in Florida is a complete hoax designed to satisfy those backward minds that can’t yet wrap their minds around hemp being made legal, and the few who are doing the bidding for those industries that might lose their protection from the real competition that hemp represents. “Citrus, Sugar Cane and Winter vegetables” move over — there’s a new sheriff in town; ” Big Pharma, — bite the bitter pill” and get ready for some real competition. The “invasive species’ scare is the same kind of jaded thinking and biased miss information that led to the 1937 band on hemp and for seventy years has made the U.S. an importer rather than a leading exporter of this valuable crop . . .Let the Florida Sun and Rain pour down and bring forth a new bounty.
Remember there are a lot of pine trees planted in Florida and Georgia, etc……….