USDA to Survey Hemp Farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) plans to send 20,500 hemp producers across the country their first Hemp Acreage and Production Survey, beginning October 18. NASS expects the survey to act as a snapshot of the total planted and harvested area, yield, and value of hemp in the U.S.

Recipients are asked to complete the survey at the USDA website using a provided ID number or return the survey in a prepaid envelope by October 25.

“This inaugural hemp survey will establish a necessary benchmark and provide critically-needed data for the hemp industry. The information collected can help inform producers’ decisions about growing, harvesting, and selling hemp as well as the type of hemp they decide to produce.” — Kevin Barnes in a press release  

NASS will release its findings on Feb. 17, 2022, on their website and in the searchable NASS database.

“The resulting data will also foster greater understanding of the hemp production landscape across regulatory agencies, producers, state and Tribal governments, processors, and other key industry entities,” Barnes said.

Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is defined as a cannabis plant and its other derivatives like seeds, extracts, and flowers with a delta-9 THC concentration of less than 0.3% on a dry weight basis.