Joseph Trigg

Opinion contributor



For those of you not aware of it, there has been a low-key push for the legalization of hemp or at least medical marijuana here in Kentucky. These actions have resulted in multiple research projects for hemp that have created interest across the state.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture held its first-ever applicant information and networking session in October for hemp growers and processors with over 700 RSVPs for the event. I was there along with several other folks from Barren County interested in finding out facts about the state of Kentucky's hemp and marijuana industry.

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Prior to this meeting, I had talked to representatives from both parties about my concerns of large corporate entities moving into Kentucky, to take advantage of these new agriculture opportunities and leave us small farmers on the side. After conversations with multiple farmers in five counties, I suggested the following ideas to representatives from both sides of the aisle:

Let’s make this a truly Kentucky Proud Program:

Revamp some attributes of the old tobacco allotment system to limit and spread production among all farmers.

Max per farm of 1 acre of each product (hemp and medical marijuana)

Engage Farm Service Agency and county extension office to identify farmers that are part of the program. Manage the program and assist in growing it.

Relook at the synergy of local money (late 1990s article AEC-83, by UK Extension Service laying out what an acre of tobacco does for the state). It is estimated that Kentucky had over $4 billion in illegal sales of marijuana in 2016.

Kentucky small farmers need this lifeline. And let there be no doubt that inactivity on our behalf will result in another lost opportunity. At one point more than two-thirds of all Kentucky farmers raised tobacco in one form or another, and we were the No. 1 state in burley tobacco production.

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The income generated was the lifeblood for most of those farmers; it paid the “bank” mortgage, it paid property taxes, it put a lot of kids through college, and in most cases it gave us a little something special for Christmas.

It was also a collective winner for the state, generating a ration of almost 1 to 10 in tax revenue for federal, state and local governments.

There was pride associated with our being good at growing the best product for the market.

The most important aspect of an established hemp growing program is it could be the magnet that keeps young kids on the small family farm. I encourage everyone to speak with their local city, county, state and federal government representatives.

Joseph Trigg is from Glasgow, Kentucky.

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