Industrial hemp has great potential as a high-value crop with diverse value-added applications:

• Iowa farmers could grow industrial hemp as an alternative to paid set-asides.
  
• Utilizing new bio-refining methods, including the extrusion process
  for oil seed extraction, industrial hemp seeds could produce oil for food, dietary supplements, body care, plastics, paint, fuel, waterproofing and industrial lubricants.
  
• This same process would result in a seed cake that is used to make low-carb, gluten-free protein powder, flour or textured vegetable protein that is rich in omega-3 essential fatty acid.
  
• Industrial hemp has a shorter growing period than most other row crops, allowing manure spreaders to begin work earlier in the season.
  
• Industrial hemp can be harvested for multi-use processing: seed for food, fiber for composite plastics, and hurds for animal bedding.

For more information, see Iowa State University’s Agricultural Marketing Resource Center’s industrial hemp Web page.