PIERRE, SD – Some South Dakota growers are preparing to plant industrial hemp this spring. South Dakota Industrial Hemp Association Executive Director Katie Sieverding says it depends what variety growers choose to use as to when they’ll start spring seeding.
“Some varieties have a growing period that is not that long,” she explains. “Growers can use those varieties should another crop get hailed out during the summer. They can plant over the damaged crop.”
She says by working with state lawmakers they were able to iron out the rules by which industrial hemp can be grown and all those regulations are now in place.
“What we did during the legislative session was to review some processes we had already done such as background checks, acreage minimums, and adding indoor greenhouses.”
Sieverding says back when they began the application process in December of last year there was quite a bit of interest shown by farmers in growing industrial hemp and she’s expecting additional growers to apply to grow the crop yet this spring.
“The state department of agriculture has received 25-30 applications on the growing side. That window of application was from December 28, 2020 through February 24, 2020,” explains Sieverding. “That wasn’t a very big window. I think opening up another time-frame to apply will result in more applicants this spring.”
She says interested growers must apply through the South Dakota State Agriculture Department. Sieverding adds they also hope to hold a field day later this summer.
