Delaware State University is the latest public flagship HBCU to launch a research initiative dedicated to the growing hemp industry. DSU will work with the state’s Department of Agriculture to help train farmers and agribusiness owners in growing and manufacturing hemp for commercial and industrial use. During this initial year, farmers interested in growing hemp are required to apply to be a part of the research pilot program. Accepted farmer will be permitted to grow a maximum of 10 acres of hemp. The University’s researcher will than study the crops of those participants and collect data which will provide farmers with valuable information for future cultivation. “Those farmer’s fields will become our laboratories,” said Dr. Sathya Elavarthi, associate professor of applied agriculture science and director of the pilot project. Delaware State joins Tennessee State University and Southern University in the group of public HBCUs seeking to develop research and commercial interests which exceeded $1 billion in revenue last year.