Almost 1 year ago today, the state of South Carolina passed a new law which legalized commercial hemp farming for the first time since the 1930s.
The law allowed for just 20 farms to grow industrial hemp in the first year, and one of those farms is now seeing the first full crop of legal hemp plants in South Carolina in nearly 100 years. Palmetto Harmony, located just North West of Myrtle Beach, is growing over 3,200 young hemp plants.
Just before harvest time this coming fall, they will start giving tours.
For the 2019 hemp season, the SC Department of Agriculture (SCDA) will be doubling their licenses, allowing for up to 40 to receive permits to grow hemp as part of their 2019 Industrial Hemp Pilot Program.
“Expanding the Industrial Hemp Pilot Program will give us a greater opportunity to assess where and how this crop grows best in South Carolina,” commented Hugh Weathers, SC commissioner of agriculture in a press release. “Ultimately, industrial hemp is about crop diversity and new business for our rural farmers.”
The program requires that anyone looking to grow hemp;
- Be a South Carolina resident
- Pass a state and federal background check administered by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
- Have a signed contract with an industrial hemp manufacturer/processor
- Submit GPS coordinates for the land where industrial hemp will be grown
You can find out more info, or fill out an application to grow industrial hemp on SCDA’s website here.