URBANA, Ill. — Though harvested acres were down in Illinois in 2020 from the year before, industrial hemp continues to be one of the fastest growing crops in Prairie State and Midwest farm fields. To more effectively share hemp cultivation best practices, University of Illinois Extension educators are working with growers and other land grant universities to source field data and provide research for the newly minted Midwestern Hemp Database. Researchers are currently recruiting more hemp producers in the race to learn more. 

“The database is an interactive platform, updated weekly, that helps guide growers,” said Phillip Alberti, an Illinois Extension commercial agriculture educator. “Together, we’re working to understand the performance of production practices and several hundred hemp cultivars used in the Midwest.”

Year-end production surveys answered by around half of 802 registered hemp growers in Illinois showed they planted 2,734 acres of hemp varieties in 2020, resulting in 2,392 acres harvested, according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA). While agriculture officials are still optimistic that future growth will occur, the amount of harvested acres was down from the more than 2,800 acres Illinois farmers harvested in 2019. 

“The hemp industry, just like many others, was hit by the pandemic,” said IDOA Division of Cannabis Manager David Lakeman. “Workforce safety challenges, pandemic-related impacts on the market, and some initial issues with processing all contributed to a more difficult year for the hemp industry. Despite these challenges, the Illinois hemp industry continued to demonstrate resilience and strength. IDOA remains committed to being a good partner to the industry, and we look forward to the 2021 growing season.”

Researchers, according to Alberti, are still working to determine how to best cultivate industrial hemp in the Midwest. The Midwestern Hemp Database will allow producers to submit information about their crop, which U of I staff will analyze and share. In exchange for their submissions, contributors to the database will receive discounted cannabinoid testing on samples. The database is a collaborative effort between the U of I, Michigan State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Purdue University.

“This project puts data from around the Midwest into an easily accessible and interactive format,” Alberti said. “Growers can feel confident using this database to make informed decisions about their operation.”

During the second virtual Illinois State Hemp Summit held Feb. 23, IDOA Director Jerry Costello said the state’s hemp industry could be expanded through its Homegrown to Heroes program. The free program allows Illinois farmers, ranchers and fishermen who are active or inactive veterans to use a special logo on products they market to the public. 

“With the hemp industry poised for exponential growth, I would love to see our nation’s veterans contribute their vast talents to move the industry forward. This new industry...is perfect for veterans to thrive in. It is my intent to highlight every veteran growing products in the state of Illinois, but it is a unique time to be involved in hemp.” 

Also during the summit, Lakeman announced that IDOA’s medicinal plants division is “adding people to meet growing demand’ and will soon introduce a hemp program manager to serve as a dedicated contact person for hemp producers and others in the hemp supply chain.

Hemp producers interested in contributing to the Midwestern Hemp Database can access information online at www.go.illinois.edu/HempDatabase. 

The IDOA is now accepting applications for the 2021 hemp growing season. Illinois farmers interested in growing or processing hemp should visit https://agrlicensing.illinois.gov/Industrial_Hemp/.