'It's a frustrating plant': Iowa hemp grower working to develop seeds that'll thrive in Iowa soil Some of the plants that do make it, end up getting destroyed because the state regulates the plant's levels of a psychoactive compound. Author: Rachel Droze Updated: 11:04 PM CDT July 6, 2021 MADISON COUNTY, Iowa — Iowa's hemp program is now in its second year, but the plant is much harder to grow than many anticipated. Earl Ramey, a grower in Madison County, is just one of 50 people growing hemp in Iowa. "I worked all winter trying to develop some seed and move forward with it and developing clones and plants," Ramey said.