The Nebraska Department of Agriculture chose 10 randomly drawn applicants early this month, of 176 filed, to be licensed for hemp production and processing in the 2019 season.
Because of department staffing and available budget, and because it's the first year for a research program that expands past those at the University of Nebraska, officials said, the department is stepping slowly into allowance of hemp production and processing.
Six of the 10 successful applicants have been publicly named: Justin and Hilari Courtney of Richardson County; Allan Jenkins, Buffalo County; Scot Johnson, Dodge and Saunders counties; Thomas Kastens, Otoe County; Daniel Niles, Platte County; and Annette Wiles, Cass County.
It is not known how many of those selected were processors.
The department is working with four others who were selected for the research programs but who have not yet fulfilled their licensing requirements, said department spokeswoman Christin Kamm. Their names will be made public when their licensing agreements are complete, she said.
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