Emerging Crops
Changes in the marketplace are marked by consumer demand for new, local, high quality foods beverages and other plant products. The growth in craft beverage, local foods and hemp are all powered by crop production on New York State farms. Harvest NY's Emerging Crops program explores the potential for new crops -- industrial hemp, hops and more -- in New York State. The Emerging Crops program supports the growth and expansion of industrial hemp, hops and grains for the local craft beverage or bakery industry, and other emerging markets in NYS. Our program seeks to maximize the economic potential for current NY-grown crops, including berries, through education on best management practices and season extension techniques. Harvest NY Emerging Crop Specialists work directly with farmers on production issues by conducting industry-wide research and development projects.Edible Hemp Foliar Sampling Project 2018
Judson Reid, Extension Vegetable Specialist, Team Leader
Hemp, a multi-use crop that has been cultivated for centuries, is increasingly cultivated in New York. 'Industrial hemp' is a non-intoxicant version of Cannabis sativa with potential use as fiber, grain or processed consumer products. Hemp is a controlled substance, regulated by the US Drug Enforcement Agency. New York is one of the states with a sanctioned program to study growth, cultivation and marketing of the crop.
In 2018 CCE worked with two farms in Central and Northern New York to begin to understand nutrient dynamics in the production of edible hemp. The end product may be a microgreen for salad style consumption, juice or smoothies; or formulated into other edible products. Although we initially began to work with microgreens, farmers have found interest in edible portions of later stages of crop growth too. In both situations the crop was grown inside a greenhouse; one in mineral soil, the other in potting soil.