New for 2025 ~ The Illinois Hemp Growers Association (IHGA) is excited to offer FREE membership to students enrolled in cannabis or agriculture-related courses at colleges and universities across Illinois! This exclusive opportunity provides access to industry insights, networking, resources, and professional development to help you grow your future in hemp, cannabis, and sustainable agriculture. Eligibility: ✔ Must be currently enrolled in a cannabis or agriculture-related course ✔ Must sign up using a valid .edu email address Benefits of Membership: 🌿 Industry News & Updates 🌿 Networking with Professionals & Growers 🌿 Access to Exclusive Content and Events 🌿 Educational Resources & Career Opportunities Join the IHGA community today and connect with leaders shaping the future of hemp and sustainable agriculture in Illinois! 👉 Sign up now at illinoishga.com/pay-dues

Midwestern Hemp Research Collaborative:  Insights into Agronomic Performance and Chemical Traits of Industrial Hemp for the North Central Region | Dr. Chance Riggins The Midwestern Hemp Research Collaborative (MHRC) is a joint effort of four land grant universities, one non-profit, and commercial growers in the North Central Region to address challenges associated with industrial hemp cultivar development/selection, agronomics, pest management, and regulatory compliance. Our ongoing project leverages researcher-farmer partnerships to conduct participatory hemp cultivar and agronomic trials leading to relevant, research-based information for the hemp industry.  Outcomes through the 2024 field season and expectations for expanded trials in 2025 will be highlighted.  More info and registration for the Ag summit: https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2025-01-23-oglesby-agronomy-summit

Kifcure's 2024 Hemp Growers Series will highlight the different facets of hemp farming and help more growers be successful. Meetings will be held the 3rd Wednesday of the month starting in October 2023 and lasting until March of 2024. They will highlight different facets of hemp farming, from industrial varieties such as Fiber and Grain to the cannabinoid varieties such as CBD and CBG. The event will be held onsite at Kifcure HQ in Maple Park, IL or on a webinar link for those wishing to attend virtually. Join Kifcure and guests as they roll out our 2024 Hemp Grower Informational Series! First meeting on October 18th, 2023: Agenda: 1. Welcome and overview by CEO Jarett Burke 2. Hemp Fiber – What is it and market opportunities 3. Growing Hemp Fiber  4. Cutting Hemp Fiber 5. Tedding and Raking Hemp Fiber 6. Baling and Storing Hemp Fiber 7. Questions and Answer session 8. Happy Hour and Hor Devours Panel Will Include: Jarett Burke, Kifcure – Maple Park, IL (Moderator) Mike Baines, Two Sisters Farms – Elburn, IL (Panelist) Jesse Smedberg, Tulip Tree Gardens, Beecher, IL (Panelist) RSVP at: https://kifcure.com/event/kifcure-2024-hemp-grower-informational-series/?fbclid=IwAR1LARH0J-3u1gQMYGPlSXg-4OfrARUmZrvUR4ZvoD7rSUx-d8izI7yQgRk (https://kifcure.com/event/kifcure-2024-hemp-grower-informational-series/?fbclid=IwAR1LARH0J-3u1gQMYGPlSXg-4OfrARUmZrvUR4ZvoD7rSUx-d8izI7yQgRk) or on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/1hSdTagNo(https://fb.me/e/1hSdTagNo)

The IHGA will have a table and be participating in this workshop. Hope to see some familiar faces there!

ATTN hemp growers: Please fill out this survey sent to us by Karla Gage, Associate Professor of Weed Science and Plant Biology at SIU! The 2023 Survey of the Most Common and Troublesome Weeds in HEMP in the U.S. and Canada is now available for the first time at:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2023hemp(https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2023hemp)   The National and Regional Weed Science Societies are surveying weeds in hemp for the first time as a baseline study this year. In the future, hemp will be included in the broadleaf crops weed survey that next occurs in 2025.   Common weeds refer to those weeds you most frequently see. Troublesome weeds are those that are most difficult to control (but may not be widespread).   2023 Hemp weed survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2023hemp(https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2023hemp)   The survey will remain open until Labor Day 2023.

If you are a farmer living in Southern Illinois, are interested in growing industrial hemp fiber, and want to help survey the feasibility of bringing hemp fiber processing to the region, please consider filling out the survey below. We are working with SIU and The Climate Economy to collect data that will help developers know where we want to grow! "Most of southern Illinois has been designated as “priority energy communities” by the President’s Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization. The project will serve counties within a 50-60 mile radius of Southern Illinois University for the purposes of the initial study, with the potential to expand. This includes 15 southernmost counties, including 12 that are priority energy communities, and a majority of which suffer from chronic high unemployment, poverty and outmigration." The purpose of this survey is to understand the needs of industrial hemp (fiber/grain) farming in Southern Illinois. Compensation is in the form of drawings for a $25 Amazon gift card for those who complete this survey. Winners will be excluded in subsequent drawings. Participation is voluntary. If you choose to participate in the study, it will take approximately 7 minutes of your time. You must be at least 18 years of age to participate. Confidentiality: Responses will be anonymized. Upon receipt of the completed survey, your email will be entered for the drawing and will no longer be linked to your survey. There is no option to change responses to questions since it will be anonymous. Questions: contact Dr. Jeb, SIU Agribusiness Economics professor at ajebaraj@live.com. Take the survey: https://siucpsyc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_08KpESuHbVo8Aui