The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets has finalized rules for growing hemp for the current growing season.
The rules set standards for record-keeping, reporting, testing, and labeling. They also include provisions for disposal of non-compliant crops and products, and inspections and enforcement.
The rules are designed to protect public health, safety, and welfare, and to support the Vermont brand and production of quality agricultural products.
“The process of educating hemp registrants on how the rules apply to their operations is just beginning, and the Agency looks forward to this next phase,” Cary Giguere, the agency’s director of Public Health and Agriculture Resource Management, said in a written statement.
To date, the agency has issued 347 combined hemp grower and processor registrations, with 1,115 acres for the 2020 growing season.
During the 2019 hemp season, the Agency received over 986 hemp grower registrations on 9,100 acres, and 292 processor registrations.