Those interested in growing hemp learn grass is greener on the other side

By Jason Lauve
Source: www.agjournalonline.com


Walsh - Colorado: Farmers from all over Baca County came to the Gem Theater in Walsh, Colo., for a presentation, organized by  local resident Diane Irwin, on industrial hemp farming.
Hemp is a very useful fiber and grain crop that was  grown here since before America was founded.
Unfortunately, hemp was made illegal in 1937 under the  guise of marijuana. It has been legal to grow industrial hemp in the United States, but only if you can acquire a permit from the DEA. Obtaining  this license is virtually impossible due to the subjective opinions of the Drug Czar who  has no scientific or logical fact based in their reasoning to label hemp the way they have.Jason Lauve, a hemp advocate, addressed market, economic and production issues for the  sustainable farming of industrial hemp. The talk addressed the history of hemp in the  United States, industrial uses, processing and manufacture of materials for items like food, building materials and plastics on site with portable technology or in a local facility.
Some of the interested people that came are prominent members in the community, including Max Smith, Todd and Mary Randolph, long time residents and farmers, Kevin Hefley and Steve McCall, two of the larger farmers in the area, along with Representative Wes McKinley of Colorado. About 30 curious people gathered to hear what the potentials of growing industrial hemp are. There were questions raised; not of fear from “illegal marijuana,” but from the fundamental need to raise a sustainable and  economically viable crop. Much of the same equipment that is in use today can be used  as is or modified to meet the needs of hemp production and as the public is educated further about the value of hemp, the market should continue to expand.
The presentation revealed that various parts of the hemp plant can be used for things like body armor which would out perform Kevlar, horse bedding that is highly absorbent, insulation which is non-toxic or flammable, fuel, food high in protein and essential fatty acids, plaster, durable clothing and many other examples of the tens of thousands of uses for the  hemp plant.So how do We The People re-legalize an economically viable crop and move past the stonewalling of the Government? Baca County was the origin of the 1977 American Ag Movement and the 1979 Tractorcade to Washington DC, where farmers tried to get parity for farmer’s bushel of wheat for barrel of oil. This time we don’t have to drive a tractor thousands of miles, instead we can organize an educational social media internet campaign where millions of people can support and participate as well. Many people in the country are dissatisfied for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, many people in the country do not understand or support the needs of the farmer. This is an opportunity to continue educating consumers about their health and the farmer’s role in creating a sustainable America.
For more info go to vote hemp.com or hempforyou.com or call Diane at (303) 590-5333.