Hemp breeding research in the United States was historically constrained by hemp’s legal status until the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp production. As a result, hemp growers have had limited access to hemp genetics, finding the most success accessing varieties of hemp cultivated in Canada or Europe. These varieties do not thrive in all growing regions of the U.S.

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) – Hemp Research Consortium provided two grants totaling $1,170,000 to Cornell University to support a long-term breeding program aimed at cultivating hemp for grain, fiber and CBD in U.S. Consortium partners contributed matching funds for a total investment of $2,340,000.

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