Event Promotional Package

Kentucky’s industrial hemp program has experienced tremendous growth in just a few short years. In 2014 farmers planted 33 acres. The Farm Bill of 2018 made it legal to grow hemp in all 50 states. In 2019 Kentucky farmers planted more than 26,500 acres of hemp. There was a great deal of interest in growing hemp, and there were more questions than answers about this “new crop”. I organized an Industrial Hemp Field Day on my farm to help educate the public on industrial hemp. There was a three acre demonstration plot of hemp that attendees were able to view. Approximately one acre was grown on white plastic and irrigated with drip tape; one acre under black plastic and irrigated with drip tape; and one acre was planted in a conventional seedbed and was not irrigated. Four individuals gave educational presentations: Warren Beeler, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy, spoke about the emerging marketing issues. Dr. Bob Pearce, UK Hemp Specialist, covered production and economic topics. Doris Hamilton, KY Dept. of Agriculture Hemp Program Manager, spoke about the permitting process for potential hemp growers. Ronnie Gearlds was the grower cooperator, and he reviewed several key points for people to consider. Approximately 225 people attended from all over south-central Kentucky. They gained valuable knowledge that will help them make their own decision on potentially growing hemp in the future. Supporting documentation: 1. Newsletter: I write it; my administrative assistant formats it; and it is mailed to 563 people. 2. Monroe Co. Agriculture Facebook: I took all of the drone video and pictures, and I do the postings. 3. Warren Co. Agriculture Facebook: I filmed two segments of the Farm & Home Show with host Joanna Coles on WBKO 13 in Bowling Green. Joanna posts them on her Warren Co. Ag Facebook page, and I share them to my page. The Farm & Home Show reaches a television audience of approximately 20,000 people.