TULARE, Calif. — Each year, not too far outside of Kern County, the World Ag Expo attracts exhibitors and attendees from across the world at the International Agri-Center.
One of the new exhibits this year will feature innovations within the industrial hemp industry.
"Hemp is now in the farm bill, and with that being the case, this year we invited some of the long time names in that business to come to the show. It is an educational atmosphere," Parsley said.
President Trump signed the Farm Bill in 2018, legalizing the growth of industrial hemp. However, there are requirements that farmers must follow to grow the crop.
Parsley said the World Ag Expo provides farmers with innovative products and technologies to help them with doing their job.
"The entire industry for all practicality is always looking for new items that make it a little bit easier," Jim Parsley, the chairman of the World Ag Expo said.
On Wednesday, the Hemp Innovation Challenge will take place beginning at 1 p.m. Entrepreneurs, researchers and students will have time to pitch their innovations. The challenge will address all aspects of growing industrial hemp with 14 different countries representing.
Mike Reid, the executive director of the Hemp Innovation Challenge, said the goal of the challenge is to discover those innovating the industry, amplify their innovations and celebrate.
While also addressing the risks involved with growing hemp, such as having the ability to monitor and detect THC and CBD levels to prevent a farmer's crop from reaching above the legal limit.
"It will help folks prevent their crops from going hot because they'll have right there in the field a hand-scanner for example, that will tell them how much THC and CBD," Reid said.
The 53rd World Ag Expo will kick off Tuesday, February 11th, at the International Agri-Center, located at 4500 S. Laspina Street in Tulare.
