WASHINGTON D.C.- Senator Amy Klobuchar says as part of an Agriculture appropriations bill that passed the Senate this August, $1 million in grant funding has been set aside for agricultural research in Minnesota.

Sen. Klobuchar says that $500,000 of that funding would go towards establishing a research partnership to help grow the industrial hemp industry in the state.

Unlike marijuana, industrial hemp is cultivated for its strong fibers and has a lower THC content.

The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) says once processed to remove the oils it can be used to create rope, textiles, construction panels and animal feed for turkeys and other poultry.

Shannon Schlecht, director of AURI sees a lot of potential for the industry in the state.

"Textiles is probably the base w

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