b'grams are becoming a center of excellence and knowledge for all things hemptheyre another great resource for growers. Associations Lobbying for HempNot only are seed companies working hard for our hemp indus-try, but new associations are popping up to lobby and fight for the industry. One such organization began in 2019the National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC). And if theres one thing for certaintheyre passionate about hemp.A lot of people dont look at hemp like they look at other consumer projects, says Larry Farnsworth, president of Gavel Public Affairs and media contact for NIHC. Its always been kind of a mysterious thingGeorge Washington grew hemp. In 1945, when we invaded Normandy, the parachutes were made of industrial hemp. The hemp market is expanding and growing, and were really excited about it. Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reo-pened comments for the IFRoriginally states were required to have their final approved plans by Oct. 31, 2020. Unfortunately, COVID-19 made it difficult for state legislatures to meet and get their industrial hemp plans approved by the USDA. The NIHC lead the charge for this reopening by partnering with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). This is an effort weve been leading and hemp farmersNew West Genetics 2020 seed production fields of an ABOUND across the country should welcome this opportunity, saidvariety - a dual purpose grain and CBD variety.Patrick Atagi, board chairman of the NIHC. With USDA re-open-ing the comment period, hemp industry stakeholders have theFarnsworth agrees, and says that theyre working to ensure chance to tell USDA directly why it should extend the hemp pilottheir checkoff program, if created wouldnt serve the needs of program in wake of the challenges they face with their individualjust one company.states not being able to submit plans for approval. It has to promote the industry, he says. We certainly hope that this announcement is an indicationAs an example, Atagi says that a checkoff program would that USDA is moving in the direction of extending the hemp pilothelp the public understand more about hemp.program for another year, he says. The NIHC will be filing com- We work with plenty of major fabric and clothing compa-ments and were encouraging our individual members to do sonies, he says. Lets say you make a jacket out of hemp and as well. hemp fiber. By teaching the public about hemp, youd prevent Another major thing that the NIHC is pursuing is the creationsomeone who buys a hemp jacket from saying, Hey, I bought of an industrial hemp checkoff program. a coat made out of hemp and got high from it. A checkoff We want to be the go to successful program like the Beefprogram can come in to immediately address this and say in Checkoff, says Patrick Atagi, board chairman of NIHC.response, No, you cant get high from industrial hemp.However, Atagi says that theyve run into a bit of contentionRight now, though, a checkoff program is still in the future. on this program. However, NIHC will continue to lobby for the industrial hemp A lot of companies might ask: Why would I pay for anotherindustry.SWprograms advertising? he says. For us, we want to instead look at the educational benefits a checkoff program could pro-vide. We want it to be very deliberate and thoughtful, because hemp is a delicate subject. WHERETo learn more information about the Hemp Checkoff program, visit For Atagi, that means focusing on expanding knowledge andON THE marketing further, and not just in CBD.WEB hempindustrial.com/hemp-checkoff-fact-sheet. 40/ SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER 2020'