NIHC SECURES USDA AWARD TO EXPAND GLOBAL MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR U.S. HEMP
WASHINGTON, April 17, 2026 — The National Industrial Hemp Council of America (NIHC) has received $350,000 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP) to support international market development and expand export opportunities for U.S. industrial hemp.
The AFTPP is a competitive program administered by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) designed to help U.S. agricultural organizations build and diversify export markets through targeted promotion and trade development activities.
NIHC extends its appreciation to USDA for its continued partnership and confidence in the organization’s ability to represent the U.S. hemp industry on the global stage.
“We are grateful to USDA for their confidence in NIHC and in the future of the U.S. industrial hemp industry,” said NIHC President & CEO Patrick Atagi. “This investment reinforces what we have been building, global demand for U.S. hemp. We will use these funds to expand our international footprint, deepen relationships with key trade partners and ensure that U.S. hemp is recognized worldwide for its quality, consistency and reliability. From textiles to advanced materials, this funding allows us to translate opportunity into measurable market growth for American producers.”
As a USDA FAS cooperator, NIHC plays a leading role in representing the U.S. hemp industry abroad, connecting American producers, processors and manufacturers with emerging international opportunities.
This award builds on NIHC’s ongoing work to advance a transparent, standards-driven marketplace and to ensure that U.S. industrial hemp competes effectively on the global stage.
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The National Industrial Hemp Council is the trusted voice of America’s industrial hemp industry. We bring together growers, processors, manufacturers, and policymakers to build a marketplace based on consistency, transparency, and consumer trust. As a vetted partner of the federal government, we use federal funds to support our mission: to give consumers confidence, provide businesses with clarity, and position U.S. hemp as an essential part of the global economy. We achieve this through guidance from subject matter experts, industry experience, and science-based programs. To foster a thriving global industry, we work with international hemp partners through our membership and participation in the Federation of International Hemp Organizations (FIHO), the Asian Industrial Hemp Federation (AIHF), as well as ASTM International, the American Society for Testing and Materials, and A2LA, Assessment Accreditation Services.