Final Field Crops Virtual Breakfast for the season to focus on industrial hemp production

Eric Anderson<eander32@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension, and Kurt Thelen<thelenk3@msu.edu>, Michigan State University, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences - September 02, 2020

Join us for the Field Crops Virtual Breakfast on Sept. 10 with MSU agronomist Kurt Thelen to discuss industrial hemp research and production.

Industrial hemp research plots — MSU technician Chris Robbins inspects industrial hemp research plots. Photo by Kurt Thelen, MSU.

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) can be used to produce fiber, grain, biomass or non-intoxicating medicinal compounds, such as cannabidiol (CBD). As defined by law, industrial hemp has less than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive component in marijuana. Recent changes in federal and state regulations have paved the way for U.S. commercial production of industrial hemp in 2019 and 2020. Last year, industrial hemp was grown in 58 Michigan counties, totaling 3,678 acres of hemp outdoors and an additional 400,977 square feet of hemp indoors across the state.

Hemp registrations across the nation and here in Michigan are down in 2020 for a variety of reasons, likely in part because of the depression in the biomass and CBD oil markets compared with early 2019. Although hemp production in both 2019 and 2020 have been conducted under Michigan’s Ag Pilot research protocols, 2021 will be the first year for commercial production according to USDA’s Interim Final Rules.

Join us for our final Field Crops Virtual Breakfast for the 2020 season on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 7 a.m. with Michigan State University Extension agronomist Kurt Thelen to learn about the production aspects of industrial hemp. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions during the broadcast. A weekly weather outlook will also be part of the broadcast with MSU agriculture climatologist Jeff Andresen.

MSU Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast sessions are held every week during the growing season via Zoom video or phone conference. These virtual meetings take place every Thursday morning from 7-7:30 a.m. starting April 16 through Sept. 10, 2020.

Participating is easy and free! You can join the live meeting via Zoom using a computer, tablet, mobile device or regular phone line. If you are new to Zoom, simply download the Zoom app and you will be ready to join online every week to see visuals shared by presenters. A call-in by phone option is also available but note that you will only hear the audio portion.

Restricted use pesticide (RUP) credits are now available for live attendees.

Participants must sign up to receive an email notification with instructions for joining the Virtual Breakfast. You only need to do this once and you will receive the Zoom link and call-in phone number, as well as weekly reminders every Wednesday. Participants receiving emails can opt in or out at any time.

Sign up to receive Virtual Breakfast Zoom information

If you cannot participate in the live session at 7 a.m., you can view the recorded version at any time. However, only the live session will be eligible for RUP credits. Recordings will be closed-captioned and available at the Field Crops Virtual Breakfast webpage and the MSU Extension Field Crops Team social media platforms: Facebook, Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Twitter @MSUExtension.

If you are unable to sign up online, call the Lapeer County MSU Extension office at 810-667-0341.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).