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