Hemp: What is it? Can We Grow It Profitably? What’s Legal and What’s Not?
MHG Meetings
Sponsored By: Metro Hort Group
Hemp: What is it? Can We Grow It Profitably? What’s Legal and What’s Not?
Join Metro Hort Group for our fall opening monthly meeting featuring a first-time ever talk on hemp (Cannabis sativa). This panel presentation will feature 3 experts who will speak on hemp. Peter Apicella, a UConn M.S. student, who is using chemistry and genetics to study the limiting factors to increases in cannabidiol (CBD) yield in hemp, will speak on the botany of Cannabis, and explain the differences between hemp and marijuana. Professor Heather Darby, Ph.D., Agronomic and Soils Specialist at the University of Vermont, will speak on the pros and cons of growing hemp for food and/or fiber. And Kelley Crosson, Vice-President of the Board of Trustees for the N.J. Cannabis Industry Association, will discuss the legal and political issues surrounding cannabis, hemp, and medical marijuana in the TriState area.
PETER APICELLA is pursuing a master’s degree in plant molecular biology at the University of Connecticut where he also received a degree in horticulture. Since 2018, he has been working under the supervision of Dr. Gerald Berkowitz, who has been studying hemp since the passing of the 2014 Farm Bill, which permits university scientists to study the formerly illicit crop. They are investigating basic questions about how Cannabis plants produce pharmacological compounds known as cannabinoids.
DR. HEATHER DARBY is an Agronomist at the University of Vermont. Since 2016, she has been working to develop best management practices for hemp production in the Northeast. Her research has evaluated grain, fiber, and CBD production practices and their optimization for this region. She has been working with farmers to successfully grow hemp for a variety of end products.
KELLEY CROSSON , horticulturist, designer, and cannabis advocate is Vice President of the Board of Trustees for the New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association (NJCIA), and is an advisor to several US cannabis companies. Kelley has a BA from Pennsylvania State University and is a graduate of the School of Professional Horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden. The main interest of her work is low-impact, sustainable design and the use of native plants. While a student at NYBG, Kelley interned with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to study Helonias bullata, a plant federally listed as a threatened species.
Doors open for refreshments at 6:00 pm
Meeting begins promptly at 6:30 pm
General meetings are free to Metro Hort members. No reservations are necessary.
Guests are welcome to attend for a $20 contribution
Seating will be on a first come basis
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