Hemp Listening Session set for Thursday, Feb. 7th in Helena

Reminder: Hemp Listening Session set for Thursday, Feb. 7th in Helena Helena, Mont. – The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) has received a verified petition from 25 Montana hemp growers to create the Montana Hemp Advisory Committee. MDA is holding two listening sessions to receive input regarding the proposed checkoff committee. MDA met with growers and other stakeholders in Sidney on January 31st and will be holding the second listening session on February 7th in Helena. The meeting will give growers the opportunity to learn about upcoming changes to the Montana State Hemp Program related to the 2018 Farm Bill, hear about the process of establishing a commodity advisory committee, and provide input regarding a proposed assessment and method of collection. Hemp Listening Session February 7th, 2019 – Helena, MT 9:00 am – Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Sanders Auditorium (111 N. Sanders) Those unable to attend the meeting in person can join via conference call using the info below: · Dial In: (406) 444-4647 · Conference ID: 675894 MDA currently administers the Montana Potato Advisory Committee and the Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee along with the statutorily enabled Montana Wheat and Barley Committee and Montana Pulse Crop Committee. In total, these programs annually contribute over $8 million in checkoff funds towards research, marketing, and education. The Montana Department of Agriculture’s mission is to protect producers and consumers, and to enhance and develop agriculture and allied industries. For more information on the Montana Department of Agriculture, visit agr.mt.gov.