Hemp Growers Petition MDA To Create Hemp Advisory Committee

Helena, Mont. – The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) has received a verified petition from 25 Montana hemp growers to create the Montana Hemp Advisory Committee. MDA will hold two listening sessions to receive input regarding the proposed checkoff committee. Meetings are scheduled for January 31 in Sidney and February 7 in Helena.

The meetings will give growers the opportunity to learn about upcoming changes to the Montana State Hemp Program due to the 2018 Farm Bill, hear about the process of establishing a commodity advisory committee, and provide input regarding a proposed assessment and method of collection. Producers present at the meetings will vote to determine whether to hold a referendum by paper ballot of all known hemp growers in the state. If that referendum passes, MDA will propose a hemp research and market development program for adoption by administrative rule.

Help Listening Sessions

• January 31, Sidney, MT, 10 a.m., MonDak Heritage Center, 120 3rd Ave. SE)

• February 7, Helena, MT, 9 a.m., Montana Department of Health and Human Services Sanders Auditorium, 111 N Sanders

MDA currently administers the Montana Potato Advisory Committee and the Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee along with the statutorily enabled Montana Wheat and Barley Committee and Montana Pulse Crop Committee. In total, these programs annually contribute over $8 million in checkoff funds towards research, marketing and education.

The Montana Department of Agriculture’s mission is to protect producers and consumers, and to enhance and develop agriculture and allied industries. For more information on the Montana Department of Agriculture, visit agr.mt.gov.