The National Hemp Association (NHA) has been awarded $19.6 million to lead a project aimed at protecting the Chesapeake Bay Watershed through climate-smart hemp cultivation. This funding is part of the USDA's Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which connects public and private partners to implement innovative conservation practices. The RCPP is designed to address critical conservation challenges such as water quality, soil health, and wildlife habitat protection, making it a perfect fit for the NHA's goals in the Chesapeake Bay region. The project will move forward upon finalization of the Project Partnership Agreement.
The initiative, which will see hemp cultivated on up to 5,000 acres annually, utilizes practices such as contour farming, crop rotation, cover cropping, nutrient management, and no-till farming. These methods are expected to reduce nutrient runoff, pesticide contamination, and soil erosion while improving the overall health of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently outlined a $2.5 billion nationwide initiative to fund 92 projects across 40 states, including the NHA's effort, citing increased demand for conservation and climate-related projects. The funding—$1.5 billion from the USDA and $968 million from private partners—is part of a broader effort supported by the Farm Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. In an interview with Lancaster Farming, Vilsack described this latest round of RCPP funding as "historic," stating, "There's such a tremendous demand for conservation and these resources that we're able to move this money at historic levels. There is a need and a demand."
The Chesapeake Bay Watershed, spanning over 64,000 square miles across six states and the District of Columbia, is one of the nation's most vital ecosystems, supporting wildlife, local communities, and agriculture. However, it faces significant challenges from pollution and agricultural runoff. By incorporating industrial hemp—a crop with deep environmental benefits—into regional farming, the NHA aims to combat these issues while supporting healthier ecosystems.
"As a native-born Pennsylvanian whose primary passion for hemp has always been in its environmental potential, I couldn't be more thrilled to take on this project," said Erica Stark, Executive Director of the National Hemp Association. "This is an incredible opportunity to demonstrate hemp's ability to contribute to climate-smart agriculture, help farmers adopt sustainable practices, and expand the industrial hemp industry."
Hemp's deep-rooting system stabilizes soil, reduces nutrient runoff, and sequesters carbon, making it a valuable tool for addressing climate change and soil health. This initiative will not only protect the Chesapeake Bay but also highlight the potential of hemp in building a sustainable agricultural future. Further details will be shared when the partnership agreement is finalized and the project progresses.
Source: National Hemp Association