Industrial Hemp Production Workshop March 24 at Highland Community College
Staff Report
FREEPORT- The University of Illinois Extension will host second annual Industrial Hemp Production Workshop at Highland Community College’s Student Conference Center March 24.
The workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m., and run until 3 p.m.
The event will center on hemp as a versatile cash crop that has been touted as having the potential to empower the small farmer and its set of challenges. Experts say knowing the ins and outs of hemp industry before getting involved is critical to success in what is now a market. This workshop will offers perspective on the lessons learned from the 2019 growing season with regards to planting methods, fertility, harvesting, storage and extraction.
“We learned a lot this year, but I am not sure that anyone was truly ready for the challenges associated with growing hemp,” Extension Educator Phillip Alberti said. “We are a long way from giving research-based recommendations to our growers on how to grow hemp, start to finish. But what we can do is bring together those who have faced these challenges head on and share their experiences while research programs are developed.”
The workshop will host a wide range of presenters who are involved in the industry, discussing topics such as production challenges, variety selection, greenhouse/indoor propagation, seeding methods, extraction, insurance, and marketing.
Those interested in viewing a complete agenda or attending the workshop may register online at go.illinois.edu/jsw or by calling the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County at 815-235-4125.
The cost of the program is $25, which includes light refreshments and lunch. Pre-registrations are encouraged due to limited seating. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact the Extension Office, early requests are strongly encouraged to allow enough time for meeting your access needs. For additional questions, contact Phillip Alberti, Crop Science Educator with University of Illinois Extension at 815-599-3644 or palberti@illinois.edu.