Riggleman suggests improvements to benefit hemp farmers in letter to Sec. of Agriculture

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSET) -- Congressman Denver Riggleman sent a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture to discuss potential changes to the implementation of the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program.

Riggleman's letter to Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, the letter suggested improvements to benefit farmers and align the rules with the realities that hemp farmers face while growing.

“Virginia and the 5th District are uniquely positioned to lead in the arena of hemp production and I am grateful to the entire Virginia delegation for signing this letter regarding the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program,” said Congressman Riggleman. “Industrial hemp is a potential game-changer for Southside Virginia. If we can improve the USDA hemp program to help Virginia farmers, we have the potential to bring huge economic growth to the 5th District. This letter will provide clarity for farmers and help production.”

In the letter, the changes it asked for would reduce regulation surrounding hemp farmers as well as its post-production and distribution.

Riggleman's letter was cosigned by the Virginia delegation in the House of Representatives.

President Trump signed a five-year farm bill Thursday, December 20, 2018, legalizing industrial hemp and allowing states to regulate it.

Researchers are able to apply for grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

After federal legislation opened the door for the wide-scale cultivation of hemp, hundreds of people in Virginia signed up to grow the crop.

Industrial hemp is poised to be a fast-growing sector of agriculture in Virginia. Hemp advocacy group Vote Hemp estimates 2017 retail sales of hemp products neared $820 million nationally and will continue to grow.

In an October press release, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Virginia’s first commercial industrial hemp fiber processing facility. Appalachian Biomass Processing, in Wytheville, will create 13 new jobs and purchase more than 6,000 tons of Virginia-grown industrial hemp over the next three years, at a value of more than $1 million, the governor stated.

“I am committed to pursuing every path that will attract economic prosperity to our rural communities, and hemp production opens up a wealth of opportunity to bring new jobs and new business to Virginia,” Northam wrote.

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The processor will mainly create a hemp hurd, a woody fiber extracted from the plant stalk to be used for animal bedding. Hurd can also be used to make industrial items such as hemp-based concrete and hemp-derived plastics.

Growers Jacob Williamson and Jacob Stretch finished up what they consider to be a successful first harvest. This winter will be used to strategize how they can improve their operations and accommodate more plants. Williamson said that smaller farmers like themselves are working cooperatively to purchase wholesale seeds and streamline operations. Williams said VDACS expects Virginia hemp to grow in acreage as growers ramp up their operations in the spring.