Hemp is a growing industry in part of the United States. One state association is suing because of new “emergency rules.” New federal funding should expand meat processing operations in parts of the country. And an experimental grape harvest could eventually offer a solution for a problem that has plagued growers for a century in one region of the country.
These are all developments that impact financial aspects of farmland production.
Hemp Suit
Harvest season is underway in Tennessee for hemp producers. So is a lawsuit targeted at new rules impacting the industry. Hemp is an emerging crop, and for some farmers it has become a replacement for tobacco.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture issued “emergency rules” for testing, labeling, and licensing of hemp. But the Tennessee Growers Coalition claimed in its suit that the department ignored the traditional process and the 19,000 comments from people on rules for hemp in the state.
Watch: A Tennessee hemp farmer said that the department of agriculture should get grace from growers as it sets the rules for the industry. However, he also believes that farmers deserve a thorough review process for the governing guidelines. See the story from WKRN-TV in Nashville here.
A 2023 law established Tennessee’s first regulations for hemp-derived cannabinoids, and it created a 6% state tax of hemp products. The law gave the department of agriculture authority to regulate enforcement and licensing for the hemp industry.
The Tennessean has details on the lawsuit against the department of agriculture and background on the growing hemp industry. Read that here.
Meat Money
The final $35 million in federal funding has been awarded to a dozen states to support independent meat processors and help expand processing capacity.
Shortfalls in the country’s meat processing industry were exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Plan authorized $325 million to support and strengthen the food supply chain.
The Biden-Harris administration, through the USDA, authorized the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program.
RELATED: Here is background on the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program. Applications for awards were due by November 2023.
The USDA announced that the most recent funding awards will go to 15 independent meat processors in Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Those include Lakes Community Cooperative in west central Minnesota and Old Salt Meat Company in Helena, Montana. KFGO Radio in Fargo, North Dakota, has this story about the new funding for those processors.
Cheers to Stronger Grapes
Hot, humid climates can wilt the hopes of viticulture, especially in states like Florida. If only grapes could grow and have a better chance of warding off diseases that limit their ability to thrive.
Researchers at the University of Florida hope their work to develop disease-resistant wine could create better outcomes for growers in the Southeast. Pierce’s disease has been of particular concern for growers. Insects spread the disease. The bacteria then chokes off the vines’ vessels, essentially dehydrating the plants.
Thus far, researchers have been unable to genetically modify grapes to prevent Pierce’s disease.
RELATED: Here is background on Pierce’s disease, which was first detected in California around 1884, according to the department of agriculture. The disease attacks grapes, citrus, almonds, oleander, and various trees.
Specialty Crop Grower explains how the University of Florida’s research could expand more traditional wine operations in Florida, rather than those solely focused on muscadine wine. The report also explains how grapes used to be a much bigger part of Florida’s agricultural portfolio a century ago, until Pierce’s disease arrived.
Grapes that are resistant to Pierce’s disease could be “a really great opportunity for agrotourism,” University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Professor Ali Sarkhosh said about his research.
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