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Industrial Hemp Knowledge and Interest among North Carolina Organic Farmers in the United States

Author

Listed:
  • Beatrice Dingha

    (Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA)

  • Leah Sandler

    (Department of Agriculture, Purdue University, 915 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA)

  • Arnab Bhowmik

    (Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA)

  • Clement Akotsen-Mensah

    (Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station 121 Northville Rd. Bridgeton, NJ 08302, USA)

  • Louis Jackai

    (Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA)

  • Kevin Gibson

    (Department of Agriculture, Purdue University, 915 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA)

  • Ronald Turco

    (Department of Agriculture, Purdue University, 915 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA)

Abstract

Industrial hemp ( Cannabis sativa ), has been proposed as a new crop that might be of interest to organic farmers in the North Carolina and other states in the United States. However, little is known about how organic farmers view this crop. We conducted a survey among North Carolina certified organic growers to ascertain their knowledge of, and willingness to adopt, industrial hemp. Contact information was obtained from a database of certified organic farmers in North Carolina and the growers were contacted by email and directed to complete an online questionnaire. Growers were asked a wide range of questions about farm characteristics, technology adoption, interest toward industrial hemp, and policy issues regarding hemp adoption. A total of 245 farmers were contacted; 64 started the survey and 35 responded to all questions. Our results indicate that 85% of North Carolina organic growers are interested in growing hemp on their farms and the majority wanted to learn more about the crop production practices, adapted cultivars, and legality of growing it. Seventy-five percent expressed interest in being certified growers while 52% wanted to grow industrial hemp primarily for cannabidiol (CBD) oil. Most (65%) respondents indicate they aspired to be among the first farmers in their area to grow and sell hemp. Growers who have tried new crops or new farming technology in the last three years were more likely to adopt industrial hemp production. These findings will help decision-makers understand the critical concerns of growers who are willing to adopt industrial hemp as an alternative income-generating enterprise.

Suggested Citation

  • Beatrice Dingha & Leah Sandler & Arnab Bhowmik & Clement Akotsen-Mensah & Louis Jackai & Kevin Gibson & Ronald Turco, 2019. "Industrial Hemp Knowledge and Interest among North Carolina Organic Farmers in the United States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:9:p:2691-:d:230246
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ifeoluwa Adesina & Arnab Bhowmik & Harmandeep Sharma & Abolghasem Shahbazi, 2020. "A Review on the Current State of Knowledge of Growing Conditions, Agronomic Soil Health Practices and Utilities of Hemp in the United States," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Joohun Han & John N. Ng’ombe, 2023. "The relation between wheat, soybean, and hemp acreage: a Bayesian time series analysis," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Dylan Bruce & Grace Connelly & Shelby Ellison, 2022. "Different Fertility Approaches in Organic Hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) Production Alter Floral Biomass Yield but Not CBD:THC Ratio," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-11, May.

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