Grow your Agribusiness in Russell County...

Russell County is Ag. proud and supports the growth and diversification of agriculture in Kansas. Agribusiness has the potential to grow through a variety of methods: Agritourism, Value-Added Ag, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and more! If you're ready to start or grow your agriculture realated business, come make Russell County your home. 

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• Industrial Land for Development

• Financing Options

• New Job Creation Incentives

• Value-Added Ag Friendly Environment

• Central Location in Kansas and the United States

 

 

From farm to table or farm to distribution center, Russell County wants your business. Contact us today!

Industrial Hemp Research Program... 

The Kansas Legislature passed K.S.A. 2-3901 et seq. in April 2018, enacting the Alternative Crop Research Act and charging KDA with implementing the new Industrial Hemp Research Program. The program allows for the licensing of growers, distributors and processors of industrial hemp as part of a research program. The 2020 Industrial Hemp Research Program submission deadline was November 30, 2019.

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KDA is committed to serving Kansas farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses and providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy. The opportunity to grow a new crop in Kansas offers potential for diversification for Kansas farmers looking for an alternative crop, or for new farming enterprises interested in cultivating industrial hemp.

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Information about the new Industrial Hemp Research Program in Kansas can be found at the KDA industrial hemp website: https://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/plant-protect-weed-control/industrial-hemp. Please address questions about the applications or the Industrial Hemp Research Program to KDA.industrialhemp@ks.gov or call KDA at 785-564-6700.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

• When was industrial hemp made legal in Kansas?  When SB 263 was published in the Kansas Register, industrial hemp was no longer categorized as a controlled substance in Kansas. However, the cultivation, growth, research, transportation, processing or distribution of industrial hemp or industrial hemp seed is only allowed with a license as part of the research program. The regulations to acquire a license and otherwise carry out the provisions of the alternative crop research act were published in the Kansas Register on Jan. 24, 2019

• How do I apply for a license? Applications, fees and additional forms can be found at https://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/plant-protect-weed-control/industrial-hemp/industrial-hemp-applications.

• Is there a commercial industrial hemp program?  KDA is in the process of developing administrative rules and regulations for a commercial industrial hemp program.  Updates on the commercial industrial hemp program can be found at https://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/plant-protect-weed-control/industrial-hemp/commercial-industrial-hemp-regulations.

• What are some of the restrictions with industrial hemp?

  • Only 80 acres can be grown per license. You can have multiple licenses, each requiring the fee.

  • Only certified varieties of IH on the approved list can be grown. The list is available on the KDA website.

  • No breeding or feral (naturalized) hemp is allowed. Only certified approved varieties can be grown.

  • KDA will sample and test all hemp fields prior to harvest. If THC content exceeds 0.3% of dry matter the crop must be destroyed at the owners expense.

• Are there any challenges with industrial hemp?

  • Seed is expensive ($10 - $20/lb or more) and may be difficult to locate.

  • No data exists evaluating approved varieties for production in Kansas

  • Currently unknown who or how many processors will be in the state to potentially purchase a crop.

  • No herbicides, insecticides, or fungicides are currently labeled for use on IH.

  • Specialized or modified equipment will be necessary for harvest.

• · Where can I find more information on industrial hemp?  Here are just a few of the sites where you can
    find information:

  • https://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/plant-protect-weed-control/industrial-hemp

  • https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/hemp 

  • https://www.northwest.k-state.edu/agronomy/industrial_hemp_resources.html

  • https://olathe.k-state.edu/research/centers-institutes/postharvest-physiology-lab/hemp/

  • https://hempethics.weebly.com/index.html

  • https://www.agmrc.org/commodities-products/fiber/industrial-hemp

  • https://www.facebook.com/Kansans4Hemp/

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Oil...

Russell County is ranked #5 in oil production in Kansas. Oil production is a large part of the Russell County economic climate and Russell County Economic Development and CVB is a proud member of the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association. Oil production is deep rooted in Russell County as we are home to the historic Carrie Oswald #1 by Fairport, Kansas. The Kansas oil and gas industry and ancillary businesses that follow the industry are vital to job creation and entrepreneurship in Russell County.