Editorial: Thank Polk lawmakers for the 'green industrial revolution'

This week Florida Agriculture Secretary Nikki Fried announced the Sunshine State was set to launch a "green industrial revolution."

No, it's not the same thing as the ludicrous Green New Deal that Washington has been bantering about in recent weeks — thank heaven.

Rather, Fried was referring to the state hemp program that is slated to kick off when Florida's new laws kick in on July 1 — that is, if Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the bill implementing it.

We trust the governor sees the benefits and popularity of this effort and will endorse it. Hemp, after all, is one of the few high-profile things that both parties agreed on during the 2019 session. The final version of the bill passed the state Senate unanimously and with just one dissenter in the House (Rep. James Bush III, D-Miami).

Florida's initiative still requires approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That, however, should not be a problem. Florida arrived here because the 2018 federal farm bill cut the reins that had restricted hemp as a national crop since the anti-marijuana paranoia of the 1930s.

In a statement this week, Fried predicted the "revolutionary" hemp initiative "will revitalize the agricultural industry — bringing in new farmers and offering relief to struggling farmers who may feel pressured to sell their families' farms to developers."

"We’re sowing the seeds for wonderful changes to come," she added. "Florida farmers have been suffering from the effects of Hurricanes Michael and Irma, citrus greening and unfair trade practices. This will help them get back on their feet and thrive."

Fried estimated that within the next decade "this budding industry" could funnel $30 billion a year to the state coffers.

Fried also touted its environmental benefits, noting hemp requires less water and fertilizer than other crops and actually helps regenerate the soil.

University of Florida researchers, who manage pilot industrial-hemp farms, note that Florida would have an advantage over the 30 or so states that manage a hemp farming program because of its mild growing season and numerous shipping points to access outside markets. Questions remain about whether hemp requires a certain type of environment or season. Thus, UF is now conducting its research in three sites scattered between the Georgia state line and Miami.

The competition is fierce. A Florida House staff report noted that in 2018 at least 38 states mulled over bills to spur production of industrial hemp — with Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey and Oklahoma adopting legislation that created programs for hemp research or industrial hemp farming.

Still, Fried and others are right to be excited. Florida farmers have faced a tough slog of late because of invasive diseases like citrus greening, natural disasters, foreign competition and little encouragement to not surrender to pressure from developers seeking to gobble up open lands to cater to the state's unrelenting growth.

Hemp is not a cure-all, of course. But it is a new wrinkle that might encourage farmers to believe tilling the soil remains a viable endeavor. As state Sen. Ben Albritton recently told Floridapolitics.com, "It’s one more tool in the tool chest. Every opportunity to provide a brand-new opportunity for farmers here in Florida is something I am very proud of."

Speaking of pride, Polk County can be proud that its lawmakers played an integral part in promoting this new industry.

Albritton, a Wauchula Republican who represents the southern half of Polk, co-introduced the Senate version of the hemp bill, while Rep. Sam Killebrew, R-Winter Haven, co-authored the House's initial proposal. They performed well shepherding this legislation to fruition. In due time farmers throughout the state and taxpayers will realize the benefits of their work, as we finally overcome our ridiculous Depression-era aversion to cultivating this versatile cousin to marijuana.