Lincoln University in Missouri is committed to industrial hemp research, specifically for small farmers, through its Industrial Hemp Initiative.
Lincoln University and the Lincoln University Cooperative Extension will conduct research and provide information to farmers about growing, tending and cultivating hemp. University researchers will focus on finding the varieties of hemp that grow best in the region and for oil in seed as well as pest management.
"This is, I think, one of the driving forces of why we wanted to introduce this initiative and work on this initiative, to bring it to the small farmers,” said Majed El-Dweik, dean of the College of Agriculture, Environmental and Human Sciences to the News Tribune. “It's really more about what is best for our stakeholders. Our current agriculture programs serve 355 small, minority and disadvantaged farmers with an average farm size of 15 acres.”
Nine agriculture faculty are expected to conduct hemp research along with 11 outreach educators who will help farmers as well as law enforcement.
El-Dweik said that the agriculture college is also developing a certificate and minor program.
