While hemp has been grown as a fiber and grain crop for thousands of years, it was made illegal in the U.S. in the 1930s. But, times are changing and now there are more than 30 states exploring it as an agricultural crop. Now, that process is getting started here with a new pilot project from the University of Florida. UF’s Industrial Hemp research plan will explore the economic viability of growing hemp in the sunshine state. On today’s show we’re going to find out what that entails.
Our guest is Dr. Robert Gilbert, he's head of the Agronomy Department at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Plus, we’ll meet Bob Clayton. He's a retired mechanical engineer who has advocated for industrial hemp for years, and he’s making products with it, including what’s called hempcrete...he actually built a home using it, the first of its kind in Florida.
