It's Too Late To Plant Corn, But Illinois Farmers Can Still Grow Hemp

WCBU | By Tim Shelley,

Mary Cullen

Published June 18, 2019 at 3:46 PM CDT

In this Thursday, June 13, 2019, photo, Jay Noller, director and lead researcher for Oregon State University's newly formed Global Hemp Innovation Center, left, inspects young hemp plants with Lloyd Nackley, a plant ecologist with the Oregon State University Extension Service, at one of the university's hemp research stations in Aurora, Ore. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus)

DOWNS -- One McLean County hemp grower says it may be too late to plant corn crops, but the limit for growing hemp is sky high.

Chris Berry is a hemp farmer in Downs and vice chairman of the Illinois Hemp Growers Association. With an abnormally wet planting season, Berry said many farmers have opted not to plant their crops.

"Anybody out there who wants grow something this year, look into growing hemp fiber. It's a good experience to get ready for next year, because I think next year, the market's going to be huge," he said.Chris Berry

Berry said growing hemp is similar to a hay operation, and the life cycle of the crop is only 60 days.

In April, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he believes hemp could become a billion-dollar industry in Illinois.

Hemp fiber is used to create rope, canvas, paper, and cotton-like fabric.

Farmers can apply to grow industrial hemp on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website. Berry said some farmers have had their applications approved in a matter of hours.