A Grant County farmer has planted 75 irrigated acres of hemp, becoming the first Washington grower to try a crop that remains a federally controlled substance, but can be cultivated under state supervision.

Shane Palmer, whose family farms about 3,000 acres near Moses Lake, put in 70 acres Friday. On Tuesday, he dropped seeds into the other 5 acres in front of about two dozen people, including prospective hemp farmers.

“I like to get my feet wet with new things,” Palmer said. “It’s something to play with.”

Moses Lake farm first in Washington to plant hemp