By TIM ALEXANDER

Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Department of Agriculture’s (IDOA) “Ag Tent” is not the only thing on the grow at the 2019 Illinois State Fair – a new test plot located in the Extension Master Gardeners’ area on Eighth Street behind the Swine Barn will offer fairgoers an up-close look at a controversial new planting option for Illinois farmers: Industrial hemp.

“Our hemp plot looks really good; it’s grown a lot, and we have two different varieties planted on the grounds for the fair this year,” said Krista Lisser, fair communications director. “We planted a fibrous variety and a CBD variety to show people hemp and advocate hemp for growers.”

The decision to cultivate industrial-use hemp, which only became legal for farmers to possess and grow in Illinois earlier this year, on the fairgrounds was made with the knowledge that some fairgoers may confuse the plant with its more controversial cousin, cannabis sativa.

That is why plant experts will be on hand at select times each day of the fair to field questions from farmers and other fairgoers.

“We definitely want to show the differences between industrial hemp and marijuana,” Lisser noted.

“We will also show how the different hemp plants vary from each other, with CBD hemp being planted further apart and the oil extracted from the flower, and the fibrous plants needing to be grown close together, tall and skinny, to get clothes and textiles made from hemp. That’s where you get hemp seeds, and where you get hempcrete, to make construction equipment.”

The hemp test plot is being shared by the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners, who are providing the primary care for the plants. In addition, an IDOA expert will be on hand from 1-3 p.m. on each day of the fair to answer questions and discuss industrial hemp cultivation regulations and requirements.

An informative video on hemp production will be looping in the Agriculture Tent, located at Main Street and Central Avenue on the fairgrounds, as well.