Florida farmers hope hemp can help to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic reduces the demand for fresh produce from bulk buyers like restaurants, farmers turn to hemp to diversify their fields and to generate income.

FLORIDA FARMERS ARE HOPING THEYCAN REBOUND FROM A BLEAK GROWINGSEASON IMPACTED BY THE VIRUS ANSOME ARE HOPING THE SOLUTION ISHEMP.

THANKS FOR STAYING WIUS.

I’M JANE MONREAL.AND I’M PATRICK NOLAN.

AFTERMONTHS OF RULEMAKING AND WAITINGFOR FEDERAL APPROVAL, THE STATESTARTS TAKING APPLICATIONS FORGROWING LICENSES NEXT MONDAY.SOME FARMERS CURRENTLY OPERATINGIN THE RED RED TELL 4 IN YOURCORNER’S CAPITOL REPORTERFORREST SAUNDERS... THEY HOPEHEMP WILL BE A WAY BACK TOMAKING GREEN.South Florida Palm grower NickAcosta says spring is a plantproducer’s paradise.(Nick Acosta, Acosta Farms)"The bulk of sales industrywide, happen in the spring."(NICK 4:07)"Everybody goes to the store.Everybody wants to buy plants.Summer comes, it’s too hot.Everybody’s over it."(NICK 3:58)He was ready for a banner season━ until━ COVID-19 regulationstrashed the economy, keepingpeople indoorsAcosta’s sales dropping morethan 50%."There’s a short window forsale━ some have a longerwindow," he said.

"If thatwindow doesn’t come we’re goingto have to dump the plants."(NICK 4:36)The virus is also destroyingdemand for fresh produce amongstbulk buyers as restaurants,processors and schools remainshuttered.(Nikki Fried, Florida AgCommissioner)"We are seeing record losses.We’ve estimated almost half abillion dollars of loss to theagriculture community."(NIKKI 19:08)Ag Commissioner Nikki Fired nowhoping hemp will be a bandaidfor Florida’s second largestindustry.Interested growers coulddiversify fields with themarijuana relative, creating aprofit buffer and booming newindustry in time.Hemp has an ever-growing list ofpotential uses includingbuilding materials and renewablefuel."This crop is really going to besomething they can utilize torebound the economy."(Nikki 21:30)NAT JOSHResearchers with University ofFlorida and Florida A and M havespent the last year studyinghemp’s viability in the state.The initial growing seasonshowing promise, they say.(Prof. Josh Freeman, Universityof Florida)"Our yields were as good orbetter than some of the othersoutheastern states."(JOSH 1:23)Prof. Josh Freeman, operating anorth Florida plot, says thebiggest issue has been Tconten━ the stuff that gets youhigh.At times his plants exceeded thecap meaning they have to bedestroyed.He’s still working on wh"There’s some anecdotal evidenceenvironmental stress plays arole in that.

I’m sure it doesplay a role.

But genetics alsoplay a role in that.

So, some ofit is just going to be varietaltraits."(JOSH 3:25)The takeawa━ recommendationsfarmers start slow until theyfind what works bestFewer acres, a guaranteed buyer."I’m really glad we’re gettinginto it."(NICK 9:44)Acosta will be one of the firsapplying for a growing license.He’s been prepping a year for atrial run of ten acres."Florida farmers nee━ orangefarmers, avocado farmers justpeople looking for analternative crop and a dif