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Hemp crop from detained seeds harvested in Ky.

By WTOP Staff

BRUCE SCHREINER
Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Some of the imported hemp seeds detained by U.S. customs officials in the spring turned into 10-foot-tall plants that were harvested Tuesday on a research plot in Kentucky, where marijuana’s non-intoxicating cousin has gained a foothold as a potential cash crop.

A sickle bar mower pulled by a tractor made half a dozen swaths to cut the hemp patch at the University of Kentucky research farm. Farmers wanting to learn more about the crop were among the curious who posed for pictures while holding long, leafy stalks.

“There’s a great possibility that it could become a viable crop in Kentucky,” said UK agronomist David Williams, who helped oversee the research plot. “It’s not the most complicated plant to grow for farmers. I think they would pick up on it immediately with very little guidance.”

FROM CONFINEMENT TO FARM

Hemp’s reintroduction was delayed in the spring when hemp seeds imported from Italy were detained by U.S. customs officials in Louisville. The state’s Agriculture Department sued the federal government, and the seeds were released after federal drug officials approved a permit. Part of the once-detained shipment ended up being planted May 27 at the UK plot.

Half a dozen universities and about 12 farmers were involved in this year’s test plantings, on a total of about 15 acres on plots across the state.

HEMP’S FAMILY TIES

The crop once thrived in Kentucky, but growing hemp without a federal permit was banned in 1970 because of its classification as a controlled substance related to marijuana. Hemp and marijuana are the same species, but hemp has a negligible amount of THC, the psychoactive compound that gives marijuana users a high.

Hemp’s comeback started with the new federal farm bill. It allows state agriculture departments to designate hemp pilot projects for research and development in states such as Kentucky that allow hemp growing.

A thief apparently got the two confused. Some hemp plants were stolen during the night last week from an eastern Kentucky plot. “You can’t use it to get high,” said Adam Watson, the state Agriculture Department’s hemp program coordinator. “So we expect it’s kind of a case of mistaken identity.”

EASY GROWTH

UK’s test plot grew fast, with little help from researchers and no fertilizer or irrigation. Researchers sprayed herbicide for weed suppression.

“The plants … have been allowed to grow on their own, and they’ve done just fine,” Williams said.

The hemp cut Tuesday is a variety grown for its fiber production. The harvested plants will stay in the field to cure for about two weeks.

VERSATILE CROP

Hemp is prized for oils, seeds and fiber. Some of the Kentucky crop will be tested for use in textiles and biofuels, Watson said. Growers in Rockcastle County plan to make U.S. flags out of hemp fibers, he said.

Hemp is grown in other countries, and finished hemp is legal in the U.S.

Hemp advocates say there’s a growing market for hemp products. Hemp products sold in the U.S. last year had a total retail value of at least $581 million, up 24 percent from the prior year, according to the Hemp Industries Association.

HEMP’S FUTURE

Kentucky’s hemp experiment is expected to grow next year. The state doesn’t anticipate any problems with federal drug officials in getting seed shipments, Watson said.

Everett McIntosh, a farmer from Garrard County, showed up for the harvest to check out the crop. He has been researching the crop and would like to convert some of his land into hemp production, if markets can be found.

“There’s so much work invested in farming that this would seem much more economical, if they can come up with processing locations,” he said. “That’s the only problem right now is to see who’s going to invest in that.”

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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