USDA Publishes Final Rule for the Domestic Production of Hemp
Jan. 15, 2021—The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the final rule regulating hemp production in the United States. The final rule incorporates modifications to regulations established under the interim final rule (IFR) that are based on public comments following the publication of the IFR and lessons learned during the 2020 growing season. The final rule will be effective on March 22, 2021. Watch an informational webinar from USDA outlining key provisions of the Final Rule here. More information about growing hemp in Vermont here.
Farmer Stories in Health Care
Beginning in winter 2020, Rural Vermont launched a Farmer Stories in Healthcare project to bring agricultural voices into the healthcare conversation. Farmers are healthcare providers, yet over half of farmers surveyed nationally say they are one major health crisis away from going into debt or having to sell up to all of their farm assets. We believe everyone deserves access to universal healthcare regardless of where they work or how well they are. Listen to these powerful stories from our working lands community and join us in this work.
Rural Vermont also lead authored the Healthcare Brief for the Vermont Agriculture and Food Systems Plan.
RURAL VERMONT COMMENTS ON THE VERMONT AGENCY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD, & MARKETS PROPOSED HEMP RULES
The VT Agency of Agriculture conducted two required public hearings in June 2019 on the proposed Rules to implement the law governing Vermont’s State Hemp Program. Rural Vermont had representatives at both meetings, provided testimony, and submitted formal comments.
On September 6, 2019 the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (VAAFM) issued a response to comments from the public on the proposed Hemp Rules. We have tracked Rural Vermont’s formal comments on the Hemp Rules to the responses provided by VAAFM. Read a breakdown of how VAAFM’s comments to the Rules addressed Rural Vermont’s concerns here. If you haven’t already, we strongly recommend that you:
· Read the Agency’s proposed rules on production and processing of hemp here.
· Read Rural Vermont’s comments in full here.
· Read the Agency’s response to all public comments here.
VAAFM will submit the final Hemp Rules to the VT Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR) and then to the USDA for federal approval. The intent of VAAFM was to have the new rules in place in time for the 2019 harvest. Rural Vermont will continue to monitor this process and anticipate the release of the final Hemp Rules and the subsequent development of the Cannabis Quality Control Program. Stay tuned for possible needs for further public engagement from the Hemp community.
Rural Vermont Releases Hemp Survey Results
In August 2018 Rural Vermont sent a survey to all of Vermont’s registered hemp producers and all the folks in the Rural Vermont database who have identified themselves as interested in hemp. The purpose of the survey was to gather information to help inform Rural Vermont’s strategy for engaging in the upcoming public rule-making process. We expect to have a timeline for the rule-making process by the beginning of 2019. Some highlights from the Hemp Survey:
- 76% of the survey respondents identified themselves as currently growing hemp and another 11% indicated they plan to grow soon
- More than half are new to growing hemp and most are small-scale producers growing on an acre or less.
- Over 80% are growing hemp primarily for CBD production with food products (33%) and seed (30%) being the next highest uses
- Biggest barriers were identified as: Access to certified seed; access to information and technical assistance; and development of processing infrastructure
- Biggest concerns for the upcoming rulemaking process are: creating a level and fair regulatory environment before the 2019 growing season and establishing an independent third-party testing and quality control program
Please read our Summary Report on the results of the Hemp Survey and contact us with any questions, ideas, or comments you may have.
Required Agricultural practices (RAPs) Development Committee
In early 2017 Rural Vermont was invited to participate with other farming organizations (NOFA, Vermont Farm Bureau, Champlain Valley Farmers' Coalition, and others) to meet at somewhat regular intervals to offer our opinions on how exemptions to aspects of the RAPs are determined and approached. This group met consistently for much of 2017, and in 2018 our meetings have been less frequent.
Farm to Plate Network participation
Rural Vermont participates in the Farm to Plate Network, primarily via participating in working groups such as the Farmland Access and Stewardship Working Group, and the Food Access working group.
Vermont Healthy Soils Coalition
Rural Vermont is one of the original members of the VT Healthy Soils Coalition - an organization founded in early 2017. This coalition - still in its infancy - can be joined by any individual or organization. The coalition currently exists as listserve (through which a diversity of conversations related to soil health practices, policies, and advocacy occur), we convene in person meetings, and have started to offer workshops / discussions.
Working with impacted groups of stakeholders
Rural Vermont seeks to work with impacted stakeholders from the working lands and greater food systems communities. This work largely depends on particular needs and issues arising in affected communities. For example, Rural Vermont is currently working to help farmers who integrate poultry into their composting operations (offering chickens access to compost as part of their food regime) advocate for themselves and organize in relationship to a new Rule determined by the Agency of Natural Resources and Agency of Agriculture which presents significant barriers to this practice. Historically, we have worked with impacted stakeholders to develop legislation related to Raw Milk, On-Farm Slaughter, GMOs, and more.
Rural Vermont Supports the Every Town Project
The primary goal of this project is to place at least one parcel of land in every town in Vermont permanently in trust for stewardship and access for Black, Indigenous, and all People of Color (BIPOC). More information here.