Buy Feminized Hemp Seeds For The State Of Kentucky
CBD Hemp Seeds For Growing In Kentucky
It’s easy to grow hemp in Kentucky. All you need is some Kentucky hemp seeds, some space to grow them, and the proper licensing from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Hemp industry professionals must also complete an orientation course which is either geared toward growers or processor/handlers depending on the license.
Register to Grow Hemp in Kentucky
According to Kentucky’s Department of Agriculture, no one may cultivate, process, handle, sell, or broker hemp without proper licensing. Those who wish to participate can apply online free of charge. Conversely, one may submit a paper application plus a $200 processing fee.
Before submitting a hemp license application, all key participants must request an official background check from the Kentucky State Police. Background checks are required annually and cost $20 each. Applicants must send Background Request Forms to the Kentucky State Police (KSP) Records Branch at:
1266 Louisville Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
(NOT the Kentucky Department of Agriculture), or dropped off them in-person to speed the process. Mail-in requests must also accompany a self-addressed stamped envelope in which to send the records.
After the background report is received, grower applicants must send a copy of the background check along with a completed Hemp Grower Application through the online portal by March 15. Growers should have all usable land secured at this time, as well. Location changes or site modifications after that require the submission of a Site Modification Request Form plus an additional surcharge of $750 per GPS coordinate set.
Hemp Handler Applications are also free when submitted online. Paper copies must accompany a $200 service charge. Hemp handler applications have no initial deadline though renewals are due December 31 for the following year. Background requests must also accompany Kentucky’s Hemp Handler Application. Note that all documents and fees must be submitted together or else they will be rejected. The department will also reject email applications because they cannot accompany the fee payments.
Hemp Licensee Orientation
Before any Kentucky hemp licenses are approved, applicants must complete an orientation related to their field (either grower orientation or processor orientation). Those who submit their hemp applications online will also complete orientation online. Those who send paper applications will have their in-person orientation scheduled within three months of application submission.
Hemp orientation in Kentucky provides a breadth of valuable information about hemp policy. It also lists the next steps growers or handlers must take to complete the registration process, including a list of fees. Get a sneak peek at the orientation in-full on the Kentucky DOA website.
Hemp Sampling and Testing
According to USDA Hemp Farming Rules, compliant hemp crops must not test above 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis. Samples that test between 0.3 percent and 0.99 percent THC are eligible for a post-harvest re-test with a $250 fee.
Growers must immediately terminate plants that test at one percent THC or higher. Growers must additionally destroy crops that test above 0.4 percent THC following the post-harvest re-rest. Licensees must submit a Destruction Report 15 days before terminating the crop.
Kentucky Hemp Reporting Procedure
Kentucky hemp farmers must keep careful records and submit reports regularly to the USDA Farm Service Agency. Licensees who applied online must submit all reports online, as well; the department will not accept paper reports.
The first report a grower must file is a Planting Report. The department should receive this form no more than 15 days after first planting seeds or plants. Note that moving plants from one location to another constitutes a new planting cycle and therefore requires a new report.
There are two types of planting reports in Kentucky: Indoor/Greenhouse Planting Reports and Field Planting Reports. The indoor planting report requires quarterly reporting by March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31, respectively. The due date for submitting a field planting report is July 31.
Though the forms vary slightly, they include the same basic information, including when and where hemp plants are growing and what varieties of hemp are being grown. If a grower does not utilize designated land for growing hemp in Kentucky, he or she must report it as a “no planting” field. Farmers must submit “no farming” reports by July 31.
Next Steps for Growing Hemp in Kentucky
Before growing hemp in Kentucky, farmers must ensure that the state has approved their chosen hemp varieties. Strains on the approved variety list do not need additional approval.
Farmers can request the approval of additional hemp seed varieties by submitting a New Hemp Variety Or Strain Request form. The request must also accompany a Certificate of Analysis (COA) that indicates the expected THC levels of the resulting plants. Please note that high CBD seeds are concerning to the department only if they regularly test above the maximum THC threshold. Buying feminized hemp seeds from a reputable distributor is essential to grow hemp in Kentucky.
For more information about Kentucky Hemp Laws, visit their website. Of course, you can always contact us to learn how we can help you, too.
KY Hemp Grower Application Download
KY Harvest Destruction Report Download
KY Site Modification Request Form Download
KY Processor Application Download
KY Background Check Request Form Download
KY Indoor Planting Report Download
KY New Strain Request Download
KY Hemp Field Planting Report Download