GREENVILLE – Darke County Farmers Union will hold its annual meeting (117th anniversary year) on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m., at J.T.’s Brew and Grill in Greenville. Dinner will be partially paid for by the Local and will commence at 6:30 p.m. with the program to start at 7:15 p.m.

Dr. Craig Schluttenhofer, Central State University Extension’s hemp research specialist, will present a program about hemp production. Central State has taken the lead in pioneering hemp production as an “alternate crop” for small and medium-sized family farms. Ohio recently (SB57) legalized the growing of hemp by farmers (per 2018 Federal Farm Bill) and legal regulations have just been issued.

Dr. Schluttenhofer will speak to area farmers and interested persons regarding his research into the underlying biology and chemistry of cannabis and related plants. Hemp, like marijuana, comes from the cannabis plant; however, it contains less than 0.3 per cent THC and is not intoxicating.

In August of this year, Central State University (CSU) – Ohio’s only 1890 Land-Grant Institution – became the first university in the state to plant seeds for hemp research. Dr. Schluttenhofer’s current research is on developing superior hemp genetics for the Ohio River Valley region, expanding chemical diversity of hemp, identifying innovative uses for hemp-derived metabolites (substances formed in or necessary for metabolism), and understanding the relationship of Cannabis policies. He is seeking to expand the use of natural products and increase the crop’s value for farmers. He is currently identifying and developing new uses for hemp and other plants producing natural products.

Dave Shindollar, Ohio Farmers Union’s Health Insurance Representative, will also be on hand to explain insurance options prior to the upcoming deadlines for open enrollment for Medicare (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7) and the Affordable Care Act’s Healthcare.Gov (Nov. 1 – Dec. 15). There will not be an election of officers this year, but there will be a selection of delegates to the OFU State Convention. Farm policy, health insurance, and other items will be discussed and door prizes will be given away. All farmers are welcome.