The initial labeler—the first person or company to label and sell seed in Minnesota—must have a seed permit. Permit categories and fees are determined by the type, intended use, and amount sold annually. Generally, those that only sell seed labeled by another person or firm do not need a permit. Please visit the MDA Seed Program for more information.
The initial labeler—the first person or company to label and sell seed in Minnesota—must have a seed permit. Permit categories and fees are determined by the type, intended use, and amount sold annually. Generally, those that only sell seed labeled by another person or firm do not need a permit. Please visit the MDA Seed Program for more information.
Breeding can be done by licensed growers as long as they are not contractually prohibited from such activities by a Seed/Material Usage Agreement. The license holder is required to have a quality control process in place and records to demonstrate that their seed breeding or seed production process meets the definition for hemp at each step. The MDA will test the initial and the final plant populations to confirm that THC levels meet the definition for hemp. The MDA will also audit the testing records annually during the breeding process to ensure the quality control process is in place.
Breeding can be done by licensed growers as long as they are not contractually prohibited from such activities by a Seed/Material Usage Agreement. The license holder is required to have a quality control process in place and records to demonstrate that their seed breeding or seed production process meets the definition for hemp at each step. The MDA will test the initial and the final plant populations to confirm that THC levels meet the definition for hemp. The MDA will also audit the testing records annually during the breeding process to ensure the quality control process is in place.
Once they are approved and licensed by the MDA, growers can obtain hemp seed from in-state, domestic, or international sources. Growers must ensure they are purchasing hemp which has been legally grown, tested by a regulatory authority, and proven to be legal hemp. Every lot of hemp grown in the MDA Hemp Program must have the seed label, invoice or bill of lading, and certificate of analysis (COA) for the parent plants showing that the THC levels were at or below 0.3%. Please contact the MDA Hemp Program for more information on ordering hemp seed.
Seed harvested by a licensed hemp grower can be saved or sold for propagation in the future as long as they are not prohibited from such activities by a Seed/Material Usage Agreement signed between the grower and the seed distributor. If a grower intends to plant hemp in subsequent years, they must renew their license. Certified hemp seed can only be produced by a hemp grower registered with the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association’s seed certification program. Growers should be aware that the genetics of the plants will change from one generation to the next when cross-pollination occurs. Studies conducted by the University of Minnesota have shown that the THC levels can rise substantially in the offspring.
Any volunteer hemp plants growing in subsequent years must be destroyed, unless the licensee renews their license and registers that grow location. The licensee may not cultivate volunteer plants if they are prohibited from such activities by a Seed/Material Usage Agreement.
The initial labeler—the first person or company to label and sell seed in Minnesota—must have a seed permit. Permit categories and fees are determined by the type, intended use, and amount sold annually. Generally, those that only sell seed labeled by another person or firm do not need a permit. Please visit the MDA Seed Program for more information.
Breeding can be done by licensed growers as long as they are not contractually prohibited from such activities by a Seed/Material Usage Agreement. The license holder is required to have a quality control process in place and records to demonstrate that their seed breeding or seed production process meets the definition for hemp at each step. The MDA will test the initial and the final plant populations to confirm that THC levels meet the definition for hemp. The MDA will also audit the testing records annually during the breeding process to ensure the quality control process is in place.
The MDA Hemp Program only covers hemp cultivation, processing, and marketing within the state of Minnesota. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp nationwide. However, until the USDA has approved all the states' hemp plans, there will remain a patchwork of different regulations state by state. The license holder should contact the receiving state to find out if they have specific rules or requirements. The shipper should always carry a copy of the grower's license, a copy of the receiver's license, and the Fit for Commerce certificate or certificate of analysis from an accredited lab showing that the material was tested and is at or below the 0.3% Total THC threshold.
The MDA Hemp Program only covers hemp cultivation, processing, and marketing within the state of Minnesota. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp nationwide. However, until the USDA has approved all the states' hemp plans, there will remain a patchwork of different regulations state by state. The license holder should contact the receiving state to find out if they have specific rules or requirements. The shipper should always carry a copy of the grower's license, a copy of the receiver's license, and the Fit for Commerce certificate or certificate of analysis from an accredited lab showing that the material was tested and is at or below the 0.3% Total THC threshold.
If the licensee wishes to sell seed to another state with a Hemp Program, the importer or destination state will initiate and arrange the seed shipment. Please contact the buyer and/or the receiving states' hemp regulatory program to find out specific rules or requirements that they might have. The shipper should always carry a copy of the grower's license, a copy of the receiver's license, and the Fit for Commerce certificate or certificate of analysis from an accredited lab showing that the material was tested and is below the 0.3% Total THC threshold.
If the licensee wishes to sell seed to another state with a Hemp Program, the importer or destination state will initiate and arrange the seed shipment. Please contact the buyer and/or the receiving states' hemp regulatory program to find out specific rules or requirements that they might have. The shipper should always carry a copy of the grower's license, a copy of the receiver's license, and the Fit for Commerce certificate or certificate of analysis from an accredited lab showing that the material was tested and is below the 0.3% Total THC threshold.
The Hemp Program does not provide grants nor do we facilitate granting opportunities. However, the MDA’s Ag Marketing Division does facilitate a variety of grants, which could be applied for and used by a license holder. Please visit the MDA’s Grant Opportunities page to learn more about this opportunity.
The Agriculture Utilization Research Institute (AURI) is a nonprofit created by the Minnesota state legislature to help develop new markets for Minnesota-grown agricultural products. They have resources and funding opportunities that are accessible to those who qualify for AURI assistance. Please visit AURI’s webpage to learn more.
