PULASKI, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The possibility of growing industrial hemp in Wisconsin appears to be a hit among farmers.
For the past two months, ending Monday, people have been applying for an industrial hemp license in Wisconsin for the first time.
Preliminary numbers show the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection received 341 applications.
Thirty-one applications were submitted from counties in NE Wisconsin.
Fond du Lac County leads the way with six, followed by Door County with four. No applications came from Menominee, Marinette, Outagamie, or Florence counties.
After initially having interest in growing industrial hemp, Pulaski farmer Adam Kuczar tells FOX 11 he found out there wasn’t a market for what he wanted to grow.
“They were looking for more on the organic side, so I had an issue with that seeing I’m more of a conventional farmer.”
Plus, Kuczar found out his bank doesn’t provide financing for farmers who grow industrial hemp because the federal government classifies it as a drug and not a crop.
“That was kind of the final nail in the coffin because it was like how do I find a different bank right now.”
Statewide, preliminary numbers also show of the 341 applications, 248 were submitted to grow industrial hemp.
Ninety-four applications were submitted to process the plant.
