Kentucky Proud
Hemp

The innovative new 21st century industry with roots in Kentucky that are centuries old

Kentucky leads the nation in growing and processing this versatile crop. Our soil is perfect for its healthy growth, and our research and manufacturing expertise is using every part of the hemp plant.

Grains

For food, oil and protein powder

Floral Material

For health and wellness application

Fiber

For construction, textile and other uses

Info for Growers

Info for Processors

See how Kentucky farmers and industries are leveraging this crop that connects Kentucky’s past to its future.

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In the News

March 19, 2019

Resonate Foods to Grow Lyon County Hemp Operation with 16 Jobs, $2.7 Million Investment

Resonate Foods LLC, a Lyon County-based hemp grower and processor, plans to expand its presence with a $2.7 million investment expected to create at least 16 full-time jobs, Gov. Matt Bevin announced today.

March 19, 2019

CBD Oil Extraction and Distillation Operation to Locate in Danville

Gov. Matt Bevin today congratulated International Farmaceutical Extracts LLC (IFE), which specializes in CBD oil extraction and distillation, on its plans for a $6 million-plus manufacturing plant in Boyle County that would create up to 34 full-time jobs over a 10-year period.

March 19, 2019

Nation's First HempWood Operation to Locate in Murray

Gov. Matt Bevin today announced Fibonacci LLC will locate a HempWood® manufacturing operation in Calloway County with a more than $5.8 million investment expected to create 25 full-time jobs.

March 18, 2019

Quarles: Kentucky Hemp Industry’s Economic Impact Showed Explosive Growth in 2018

Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles announced today that sales of Kentucky hemp products in 2018 were more than 3½ times higher than the previous year and that the amount that farmers were paid for their harvests more than doubled.

March 18, 2019

KY numbers show hemp processing has tripled in past year

The 2018 numbers are in, and they show hemp is bringing green to Kentucky in more ways than one. Hemp processor GenCanna Global USA's Chief Sales Officer Garrett Bain says even he was surprised at how well hemp is doing, "We hoped for it, but we didn't expect it."

March 9, 2019

Ballard County Hemp Processor AerosourceH's Rapid Growth Leads to 14 New Jobs

As Kentucky’s hemp industry forges ahead, Gov. Matt Bevin today congratulated industrial hemp processor AerosourceH LLC on a $2.8-million expansion at the company’s Ballard County facility, a move expected to create 14 full-time jobs...

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Did you know...

Hemp is not marijuana. The difference between hemp and marijuana is the level of THC in the plant. Hemp contains not more than 0.3% THC, the intoxicating element in marijuana.

The first available records show that hemp was first used 10,000 years ago, when it was spun into usable fiber.

Anyone who grows or processes hemp must have a license from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Click here for details.

Hemp is currently grown in 73 of Kentucky’s 120 counties.

Virtually all of a hemp plant is useful for manufacturing —the grain, the floral material and the fiber.

Partners

Kentucky is leading the way in the creation of the new hemp industry, thanks in large part to cooperation between the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Governor’s Office for Ag Policy and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. Through this partnership, Kentucky will be providing the necessary resources to grow the industry in the Commonwealth quickly, while continuing to recruit new and expanding processors and manufacturers. This allows Kentucky to be a “one stop shop” for anyone in the hemp industry.