DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE FIBER HEMP SYSTEMS IN NORTH CAROLINA�S HISTORICALLY TOBACCO-DEPENDENT UNDERSERVED FARMING COMMUNITIES

Fiber hemp production knowledge in the US was lost following hemp's prohibition in the 40s. Hemp is now effectively a new crop, which presents an opportunity to develop hemp production practices with a sustainable foundation, rather than making the incremental improvements seen within established crops. To meet the current and future demand for locally-produced fiber hemp, farmers need relevant, up to date management guides to ensure production success with practices that meet sustainability goals. For long-term sustainability, producers and industry need information that both addresses agronomic challenges (e.g. weed management, proper plant populations, and cover crop management) and meets soil health, crop quality, and economic efficiency goals. Engagement with historically underserved farmers - from the study design presented in this proposal to the final Extension and journal publications - is critical for the successful integration of hemp into North Carolina cropping systems. As such, the long term goal of this project is to develop sustainable fiber hemp production strategies for historically underserved farmers transitioning out of tobacco to address stakeholder needs and meet fiber hemp demand. We will employ a multi-faceted, integrated approach, working collaboratively with the region's historically underserved, small and medium-sized farmers to address the three key stakeholder production limitations (A.1.2). In doing so, this project will help build a regional knowledge base that incorporates localized hemp production constraints and best management practices anchored by the three pillars of sustainability (economic viability, social equity, environmental protection). To meet said goal, project objectives involve characterization of fiber hemp yield, quality, and economic impacts via small-plot research and large-plot on-farm agronomic trials and development of numerous extension materials and activities to maximize farmer engagement. Our specific objectives are:Evaluate weed management efficacy, economics, and soil health impacts of no-till fiber hemp using residue from different fall-planted cover crop species.Determine optimum nitrogen application rate in relation to fiber hemp yield, stem quality, and production economics, and evaluate fall-planted leguminous cover crops as a partial- or full-replacement for external nitrogen inputs.Understand the impacts of increasing plant populations on biomass and bast fiber yield, stem quality, and economic returns.Evaluate a holistic system, combining best management practices determined in objectives 1-3, to address stakeholder challenges and systems sustainability.Extension-focused on-farm trials, field days, and the development of diverse and far-reaching extension materials for objectives 1 - 4 in collaboration with underserved Coastal Plain farmers.