Up-to-date industrial hemp information is the goal of a newly initiated hemp education effort of Texas A&M AgriLife. Texas hemp growers and those interested in the crop can participate monthly in the free “First-Tuesday” online Zoom sessions.

Close up of hands planting hemp plants in soil
First Tuesday topics could include lessons learned from the hemp transplants planted in the trial plot last June. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

“We had our first Zoom session in March,” said Calvin Trostle, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agronomist and state hemp specialist, Lubbock.  “There is so much yet to learn about this crop in Texas.”

The next session is May 4, from 5:15-6:30 p.m.  Attendees may register in advance at https://bit.ly/3ec3nkD. After registering, attendees will receive an email containing the log-in information.

Participants can influence future sessions

The updates will cover relevant topics that address the needs of Texas industrial hemp growers and the larger hemp industry. Trostle said each session will include at least one other Texas A&M AgriLife faculty member to expand on focused subjects to include insects, plant diseases, economics and legal questions.

Trostle asks interested hemp attendees to email him questions or topics attendees want to learn about, and said these are meant to be educational and not complaint sessions.

“Having topics in advance will increase the relevance of our discussion as we tackle real-world issues in Texas hemp,” he said.

Ample time will be available as well for on-line discussion with attendees.

Hemp growers and industry personnel who wish to receive the monthly Texas A&M AgriLife hemp newsletter can email Trostle. Additional Texas A&M AgriLife hemp resources are online at https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/browse/hemp/.