Long ago, growing hemp was a popular crop across the United States. Before the 1937 Marijuana Act, people mainly grew hemp for its fibers. In 2014, the Farm Bill brought back interest in growing hemp, especially for making CBD oil. But, hemp can also be grown for its fibers or as a grain.
When thinking about growing hemp, remember that not much research has been done in the U.S. on how to grow it best since the early 1900s. The information we have is helpful but might not fit today’s farming methods. New Jersey hasn’t tested hemp much, so we need more studies on how to plant, take care of, and process it in this state. This means there might be some unknowns at first.
Keep in mind, how you grow hemp depends on what you want to use it for. This guide helps those interested in growing hemp for business. Growing hemp for grains or fibers is more like traditional farming than growing hemp for CBD oil. Since there’s no specific research from New Jersey yet, this advice comes from what’s been learned in other states and hemp pilot programs. As more local information becomes available, this guide will be updated.
Market Research Thinking about growing hemp in New Jersey? It’s important to look into the market and how to sell your hemp. Since hemp farming is new, there’s not a lot of information on whether it’s profitable in New Jersey.
Knowing where and how to sell your hemp is crucial. Many times, farmers struggle because they didn’t research where to sell their crops and their worth. It’s wise to check if there are buyers nearby and if you need to sign a contract to sell your hemp.
Legality and Permits
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is working on rules for growing hemp in the state. These rules will cover how to get a license, test hemp to meet federal laws, fees, and approving seeds. Details on how to apply to grow hemp will be shared once the rules are set, as required by the 2018 Farm Bill. Until then, it’s not legal to grow hemp in New Jersey.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) Requirement The 2018 Farm Bill made it legal to grow hemp with less than 0.3% THC. Hemp must have low THC to be legal. Growers need to choose hemp varieties carefully to avoid THC levels that are too high, which could lead to destroying the crop instead of harvesting it.
Background Hemp is a plant that grows in the summer and is sensitive to daylight. It starts to flower when days are shorter. Hemp plants can be male or female, but many are grown to be one or the other. Breeders are working on creating plants that are both male and female. Depending on what you want from the hemp plant (fiber, grain, or CBD), you might need only female plants, only male plants, or both.
Hemp seeds are nutritious, full of omega-3 and omega-6 fats. They can be turned into many products like oil, flour, and even coffee. They’re also used as animal feed.
Hemp fibers are used in many ways, from making clothes and ropes in the past to now being used in building materials and more.
CBD oil comes from the hemp flower and is used for health benefits like easing pain and reducing inflammation. There’s a big interest in growing hemp for CBD because it could lead to many new products.
Types of Hemp Grain hemp is grown for eating and has lots of protein and healthy fats but low CBD. It’s shorter, which makes harvesting easier.
Fiber hemp is grown for its long fibers and is taller. It’s used in textiles, construction, and more.
Dual Use hemp produces both fiber and seeds but not as much as specialized plants.
CBD hemp is the most profitable but can be tricky because it needs to have low THC levels. It’s usually grown with just female plants to increase CBD and keep THC levels in check.
Choosing the right type of hemp to grow depends on many factors, including how long it takes to mature and what you want from the plant.
Field Selection
Hemp likes loose, fertile soil with a lot of organic matter and a pH of 6.0–7.5. Well-drained soils are best. Sandy soils work if you can irrigate and fertilize well.
Fertility A soil test can tell you what fertilizers you need. Recommendations for hemp are still being developed based on what we know now.
Planting Hemp can be planted in rows or with a grain drill. The seeds are delicate and can be damaged easily. No pesticides are approved for hemp yet. Strategies like planting close together or choosing tall varieties can help control weeds.
Hemp needs moist soil to germinate well. Dry soil can lead to uneven growth and more weeds. Once established, hemp plants are tough.
For grain hemp, earlier maturing varieties are preferred. Shorter varieties make harvesting easier.
Planting rates depend on what you’re growing the hemp for. Good seed-to-soil contact is important for the best germination.
Insects and Diseases Hemp can face problems from bugs and diseases, but there’s not much information on how to deal with these issues in New Jersey yet.
Harvest For seeds, hemp is harvested when seeds start to fall off but the plant is still green. If you wait too long, you might lose seeds or have lower quality grains. Care is needed when harvesting, storing, and transporting because the seeds are fragile.
For fiber, harvesting is similar to forages. Special equipment might be needed to avoid the plants wrapping around machinery.
CBD hemp harvest requires careful timing and is usually done by hand. Drying the flowers properly is important for quality.
This guide aims to help those new to hemp farming understand what’s involved, from choosing the right type of hemp to dealing with legal requirements and market research.
