Arkansas hemp farming on the decline July 14, 2022 By Griffin Coop The Arkansas hemp scene is on the decline, according to statistics released by the state Department of Agriculture. Hemp production fell by 75% last year to its lowest point since the state hemp program started in 2019. The number of hemp pounds harvested rose to its highest level of nearly 225,000 pounds in 2020 but fell to just 55,492 last year, according to data from the department. The number of hemp growers also fell last year by 60% from the previous year. The state had 121 hemp growers in 2020 but that number fell to just 49 last year, according to the number of licenses issued by the Arkansas Hemp Research Licensing Program. Just 25 growers have signed up to farm hemp this year, according to Amy Lyman, director of marketing and communications for the department. Since the hemp program started, 96% of the harvested crop material has been for floral hemp production, 3% has been for grain/seed production and 1% for fiber hemp production. Check out a list of the state’s active hemp growers and hemp processors/handlers or learn more about the state hemp program.
