Industrial Hemp Research

Emerging Innovations in Fiber Hemp:

A Versatile Link Connecting Small- and Medium-Scale Farmers and Veterans to New Market Opportunities in Textiles, Bioplastics, and Construction

Tennessee State University is Lead Partner in the collaborative initiative with USDA Partnerships to:

  • expand the production of industrial hemp as a market driven commodity,
  • evaluate its benefits,
  • and promote the value of market development to producers across the state of Tennessee.

Special efforts are planned to identify and recruit small, medium, and veteran producers, as well as farmers from the nine most economically distressed counties in Tennessee and the 30 counties-at-risk for becoming economically-distressed. For more information visit FIBER Hemp Program and Farmer Enrolment and Participation.


USDA - NRCS Program: Building Markets and Investing in America's Farmers, Ranchers & Forest Owners to Strengthen U.S. Rural and Agricultural Communities

Lead Partner:  Tennessee State University
Other Major Partners:  Tennessee State University, Hemp Alliance of Tennessee, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, The Tennessee New Farmer Academy, based at Tennessee State University
Major Commodities:  Hemp
Approximate Funding Ceiling:  $4,972,800