Hemp History Week (June 5-11). This week Farmers, Grassroots organizers, hemp product manufacturers and Hemp supporters from all walks of life come together to work on changing federal policy on industrial hemp in the United States. What exactly is Hemp? Hemp can be defined as a fiber and oil-seed crop. States all across America are starting to praise the innovative and sustainable potential of non-drug industrial Hemp. Hemp and Marijuana both come from the same Cannabis species. Hemp can be used to produce and make thousands of products both edible and non edible, Hemp seeds and flower ingredients can be found on the back of the box of your favorite health foods and organic body care products.
Last year the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) announced the total retail value of Hemp merchandise that was sold in the U.S. was around $620 million. Hemp is loved crop by a lot of farmers for the simple fact that it breathes in Co2, prevents soil erosion and detoxifies the soil, allowing whatever is left after harvest to sink into the soil providing key nutrients for the next harvest. Being that Hemp does not require a lot of water to grow and no pesticides it can be grown anywhere and by anyone for the most part. In US farm bill was passed in 2014, which allows states that have passed their own industrial hemp legislation to grown their own industrial hemp for research and development. Kentucky, Colorado and Oregon are all putting together hemp pilot projects.
Events This Week in Kentucky
The Kentucky Hemp Heritage Alliance is hosting "Discover the Hemplands" Three participating trail locations will be open from 4-6 p.m.
Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the lives of hemp pioneers, see growing hemp crops and learn about the rich hemp history rooted in the historic Kentucky locations and the surrounding areas listed below. You can look forward to special giveaways from Hemp History Week Sponsors, limited edition trail maps will be printed on hemp paper, product samples and information regarding the state pilot program.
On Wednesday 6/7
There will be an event on The Henry Clay Estate | Ashland was the estate of Henry Clay, one of the most popular and looked up to hemp pioneers of his time. He used his legislative platform as “The Great Compromiser” to serve and evolve the Kentucky industry he also utilized his own land at Ashland to grow and experiment with the crop. Last year, United Hemp Industries partnered with Ashland and the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment to plant the first hemp crop on Ashland property since the late 1800s. This season the 20X20 plot is showcasing the best fiber hemp variety in the world, and is featured as part of the Heritage Hemp Trail. The crop was planted Tuesday May 30 and was sprouted for attendees to view.
On Friday 6/9
At the historical Farmington Plantation | Farmington was built in the early 1800s at the heart of what was once a 550-acre hemp plantation owned by Speed Family. The historic home and property is maintained today as a museum which interprets and preserves the culture and lifestyle on a 19th Century hemp plantation.The plot this year will be approximately 1/2 acre and will be grown for grain production. It will also be featured on the Heritage Hemp Trail and affiliated events throughout the year. Planting at Farmington will take place this week.