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May 29, 2008
Hemp farming in Wisconsin explored in Wausau Farm Bill Column
Posted by Gary Storck
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Jim Maas of Rothschild, a member of the executive committee of the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin, had a column about the federal farm bill that included support for hemp farming in Wisconsin published in the Wausau Daily Herald.
COLUMN: Farm bill hurts farmers, us
Source: Wausau Daily Herald
Read Original article: click here
(snip)We need to get the feds out of the pork business and let American farmers farm — no promises, no interference. One crop might be industrial hemp. Wisconsin was the leading industrial hemp producer in the country during the first half of the 20th century — and then the government decided hemp looks too much like marijuana.
The first American flags were made of hemp; both Washington and Jefferson raised hemp; Ben Franklin printed publications on hemp paper; American ships were caulked and rigged with hemp; and hemp played an important role in both world wars.
Hemp has thousands of uses. Besides fibers for paper and textiles, it can be used for biodegradable plastics, health food and fuel. Hemp requires little to no pesticides, replenishes soil with nutrients and nitrogen, controls erosion of the topsoil and produces a lot of oxygen. The downside? Our government prohibits its use.
(snip)
Posted by Gary at May 29, 2008 09:48 PM
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