HEMP EVENTS
Hemp and Your Garden by Liz Mund
The fight for industrial hemp farming in the U.S. continues and fingers are crossed for legalization. So what exactly would it mean if it were to pass? Could farmers start planting hemp right away? Could I grow it in my garden and do something useful with it? And if so; would either of us need to worry about illicit wayward marijuana plants spreading their seed, leading to uncomfortable conversations with the fuzz about why there is a hybrid crop of baby THC producing plants on our land? Given the two plants are so close genetically, with the right timing, conditions and proximity; the two plants could pollinate each other. Sure, it’s possible. But not only is that potential undesirable for all parties, it is easily prevented using precautions farmers currently implement to protect the integrity of their crops. A sweet corn farmer, concerned their crop might be pollinated by an undesirable source, say seed corn, could use pollen cones—kind of like plant prophylactics. In fact either grower (hemp or marijuana) could use protection (cones) or abstinence (strategic placement at safe distance) to avoid cross breeding. But why grow marijuana outdoors when indoor growing allows complete control over the environment, including protection from pollination? Legal medical marijuana growers, in many states (17, and 7 pending) are focused on retaining the quality of their plants and prefer to begin each harvest with new certified seed or a clone. No hybrids. Anyone who grew hemp would need to be aware of the cross pollination potential, but they wouldn’t need to be worried about it. The idea is not complex and the systems currently in place in other countries regarding hemp farming have proven to work. No increase in drug use, no additional load on police forces, no surge in marijuana growing or hiding. As far as farmers making the switch, the truth is that growing hemp is not difficult. Any farmer with a field capable of sustaining corn, wheat, soy…or has one that has been infested with weeds could trade for hemp with very little effort. Hemp has a 3-4 month growing cycle, is less demanding on the soil than wheat or corn and requires about the same amount of water. It can also be planted and harvested using the seeding, mowing and bailing equipment currently used for hay. Moreover, hemp is an excellent phytoremediator, meaning it is capable of pulling toxins from the soil (even nuclear ones—look up
Hemp Industries Association
San Francisco, CA November 11th HIA members will engage with some of today’s top industry leaders and speakers in hemp research, farming,processing, product development, manufacturing, distribution, marketing and education, as well as take place in fine dining and a silent auction (http://thehia. org/2012conference.html)
SusCon 2012
what is going on at Chernobyl) leaving the soil better than it found it. An admirable quality. On top of the mass of potential products that can be made from hemp; the plant has intrinsic value even without actually harvesting it—rotating it with other crops, even in between growing seasons would enrich soil, reduces certain parasites, eliminate weeds....It’s pretty hard to find any reason not to plant it. Okay, so what about my backyard? I could plant seeds and have stalks in about 110 days. I don’t have enough room to go crazy, but with a few plants; I could make hemp rope, or extract oil from the seed (nut) for body products or omegarich cooking oil. Hemp would benefit my garden too—removing any toxins in the soil and leaving the area in better condition than it was found. The plants wouldn’t require much attention, and as an added perk: would attract birds. Turns out, according to scientific studies on avian diets, any birds visiting my garden and nibbling on hemp seeds would actually live longer, have nicer feathers and produce more babies. I will point out my handsome birds to the cops while they snack. Now if I had some real land to plant hemp…I could actually make a profit: $500 to $1300+ per acre depending. There are people out there right now trying to corner the market on ‘How To Grow Your Own Hemp.’ You could be one of them. Maybe next spring (when and if a few laws finally pass); I’ll buy an old farm forced out of the running by Monsanto, toss the pesticides and grow my own hemp for a living. Come on, do it! Just be sure to take regular walks through the fields and maybe do some weeding.
NürembergMesse, Germany November 27-28th For the third time SusCon – the International Conference on Sustainable Business and Consumption – will bring together decisionmakers from businesses, NGOs, governments and UN organizations that strive for the concrete implementation of an “inclusive green economy.” It will consider which economic model we should adopt for the future and what, in practice, constitutes a “green economy?” (http://www.suscon.net)
MFA Harvest Explosion
Northern California, CA December 1st It’s time for the farmers to medicate, relax, listen to music and show off their best crop. MFA is having their 6th annual harvest party. They will have hash bars, live music, bud, hash and edible competition, vendors, door prizes, rolling contest, laughs and wonderful old farmers to learn some new tricks. This is a 215 celebration, so as always no alcohol. (http://www.hempevents. com/find-an-event/ california)
Special thanks to Tom Hoffman (consulting agronomist and soil specialist) and Kerrie Badertscher (certified Horticulturist).
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