USDA's Farm Service Agency last week issued a notice to state and county offices on making direct and guaranteed loans to hemp producers for the 2021 growing season and then abruptly pulled that notice back.
The original notice indicated that hemp growers could no longer produce the crop under the pilot program that was part of the 2014 Farm Bill.
However, the agency quickly withdrew that guidance, noting that “the 'Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act' authorizes operations to continue to produce hemp under approved 2014 Farm Bill Pilot Programs until September 30, 2021.”
Given the extension in the continuing resolution, FSA said, “Additional guidance on making direct and guaranteed loans to hemp producers for the 2021 crop year is forthcoming.”