IVC signs hemp agreement with Imperial County

The Imperial Community College District adopted a memorandum of understanding with the County of Imperial for the Cultivation of Industrial Hemp.

The growing of hemp will be for educational research only and will be in compliance with the 2018 and 2014 Farm Bill.

“Imperial County has the opportunity to be a leader in the state,” said Imperial Valley College President, Martha Garcia.

Under federal law and according to the 2014 Farm Bill, institutions of higher education are able to conduct research on industrial hemp.

The Imperial Community College District has agreed to be one of the first colleges in the state to take part in industrial hemp research.

Garcia says students will have the opportunity to conduct leading research in an emerging industry.

“Imperial Valley College will not grow hemp on site, the hemp will be grown at each of the growers land and the research will be conducted on those sites, off campus,” said Garcia.

The college has partnered with local hemp grower Primordia LLC.

Garcia says Primordia will provide an internship program for IVC students.

” You don’t think about hemp only in regards to cultivation, but really the additional industries that can result in Imperial County because of hemp cultivation.

In April, Imperial County signed an MOU with the California Hemp Association and the California Hemp Foundation with a focus on job creation.

“It is important to emphasize that it is not marijuana,” said Garcia.

Garcia says many community members correlate marijuana with hemp, and it’s important to note that hemp has a THC level of 0.3% or less.

“I really believe that this industry demonstrates opportunities that will be able to support our local economy,” said Garcia.

Garcia says new changes are coming to the agriculture program, as it continues to evolve to meet the needs of their students and the community.