Industrial Hemp Research Initiative in New York State

Industrial Hemp Research Initiative in New York State

New York is cultivating the industrial hemp market and supporting new opportunities to grow this multi-million dollar crop, which is used in the manufacture of an estimated 25,000+ products—from clothing and food to building materials and pharmaceuticals.

The Governor has taken significant measures to encourage industrial hemp production in New York. In 2015, the State launched its Industrial Hemp Agricultural Research Pilot Program, permitting a limited number of educational institutions to grow and research industrial hemp. In 2017, the State eliminated the cap on the number of sites authorized to grow and research the plant and expanded the program to include farmers and businesses. Governor Cuomo also introduced and signed new legislation to establish industrial hemp as an agricultural commodity under the State’s Agricultural and Markets Law.

The Governor also announced up to $10 million in grant funding will be available through two initiatives to advance industrial hemp research and economic development opportunities for industrial hemp businesses. The State will make up to $5 million in research grants available to support the research and production of industrial hemp in New York—including nearly $1 million in partnerships with Cornell University and SUNY Morrisville to support industrial hemp research during the 2017 growing season. The State will also make up to $5 million in capital grants available to provide funding to eligible businesses for capital costs related to the processing of industrial hemp, including new construction and the purchase of equipment.

 

Industrial Hemp Research Pilot Program

Agricultural Cooperatives - Letters of Interest

The NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking letters of interest from agricultural cooperatives to participate in the State's Industrial Hemp Agricultural Research Pilot Program. The Department is encouraging all new and existing agricultural cooperatives that have considered entering into the industrial hemp industry to capitalize on this growing agricultural and industrial sector. Letters of interest from agricultural cooperatives wishing to participate in the industrial hemp research program must be submitted to the Department at [email protected] by June 6, 2019. Letters should provide information demonstrating the feasibility of growing, processing, and producing industrial hemp or hemp products under a farm-owned business structure.

Industrial Hemp Grower Applications

New York State is accepting grower applications from individuals and businesses for the Industrial Hemp Agricultural Research Pilot Program. Applications for future research partners can be submitted in the areas of grain, fiber, and Cannabidiol (CBD). The Department is not accepting CBD processor applications at this time.

Industrial Hemp Research Pilot Program Guidance and Application

Industrial Hemp Processing Grant Fund

New York State has also allocated up to $5 million for the New York State Industrial Hemp Processing Grant Fund. Administered by Empire State Development, in consultation with the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, the program will provide grants for machinery and equipment required to process industrial hemp for commercialization in New York. Grants may provide a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $500,000 for up to 50% of total project costs supporting capital investments. The remaining 50% must be matched by the recipient.

Applications for the NYS Industrial Hemp Processing Grant Fund are not being accepted at this time.
What is the NYS Industrial Hemp Research Initiative?

New York is cultivating the industrial hemp market and supporting new opportunities to grow this multi-million dollar crop, which is used in the manufacture of an estimated 25,000+ products—from clothing and food to building materials and pharmaceuticals.

To encourage the growth of New York’s research program and to quickly gain critical research data, New York has undertaken a major research project that significantly increases in the State’s production.

The research project focuses on developing basic agronomic and production cost information for growing industrial hemp at scale in different locations under New York State conditions. The industrial hemp grown in this project may also be sold for further processing, which will develop price data from the open market. These sets of agronomic, cost-of-production, and business data will be distilled into useful and practical knowledge to inform production decisions related to future growth in the industrial hemp industry.

More Information on Industrial Hemp in New York State 

The State’s successful industrial hemp research pilot program is expanding. Ten private farms, businesses and educational institutions are already permitted to conduct research on the crop.  Now, thanks to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s support of the program, the number of sites where industrial hemp can be grown in New York State is unlimited. 

 

As a result of the state’s top-tier research capabilities, its ample land, access to water – and now, its industry-friendly laws and regulations – New York is emerging as the ideal place to capitalize on the budding industrial hemp market.

 

Farms and higher education institutions interested in exploring opportunities to join this emerging industry are encouraged to review the program guidance, and contact the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets

To learn more, call toll-free or email at (877) 249-6841 or [email protected].

 

Industrial Hemp Industry Initiatives in New York State

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