Did you know that in 1942, the government not only encouraged the growth of hemp, but made a short film all about it?
Since one of the many uses of hemp was for cordage, or rope...the government encouraged farmers to replace other crops by growing hemp for the use of cordage and rope, mainly in Navy vessels. Hemp had been used for this purpose for many years.
Here's my question...why can't the farmers grow hemp for use in making biofuel, instead of using food crops for this purpose? I mean, I'm not very smart about these things, but it seems to me that we would be better off in using our corn and other food crops for FOOD , and finding an alternative for use in making fuel. Watch this short film and see if it makes any sense to you, OK?
Like I said, I'm not the brightest bulb in the pack, but I don't know why we don't utilize this remarkable plant as we once did! What do you think?
While we ponder this question, why don't we get a fresh cup of coffee, sit on the patio, and enjoy this beautiful Spring morning. OK, my friend?
A good rope is handy to have.Never know who or what you need to hang.
ReplyDeleteHJ,
ReplyDeleteIt's because of our enlightened governments "War On Drugs" that we can't use common sense anymore. I agree that we should use food for food and hemp for biofuel or as Did it My way says for stretching some deserving necks.
Good morning HJ,
ReplyDeleteI have been enlightened. Yes I think hemp should once again be grown. They also make great lotions out of hemp and let me tell you it works wonders I don't have the stuff anymore so I can't find out where it comes from. But it is sold in most stores. More products that can be made in this country instead of foreign. This government needs to step up to the plate and start making and growing more products in this country and provide more jobs for American Citizens.
sorry still on a rampage.
Ok time to refill my cup, please join me, I, promise not to rag about anything more today. LOL
JoJo
Because the ptb don't want to take the time to educate themselves or their minions that fiber hemp has very, very low amount of the substance that would get a person high. It is easier to consider it all *bad*. People doing research - LEGAL- research with all the permits & notifications have had DEA &/or local police raid their fields and arrest them. It's crazy. No drug money, seed is easy to save, doesn't need any to little chemical input, long lasting - gee wonder why it isn't being considered.
ReplyDeletePass the crean & sugar please.
Hey Tony...ain't it the truth? Don't think we would be short of volunteers, for sure!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Hey Windjammer...what's so strange is that it was the government that was urging everyone to grow hemp to begin with!
Hey, thanks for the visit!
Hey JoJo...you're so cute when you get mad, that's why I like having you around! You can rant at my place anytime!
Thanks for coming by for a cup this morning!
Hey Stephanie...good to see you. I guess they will continue the "war on everything" like hemp, until they need it! Then we'll see another video being made asking folks to grow it again!
Hey, I thank you for the visit!
It is strange how the Federal govt won't let farmers here grow hemp, but millions of metric tons are imported every year.
ReplyDeleteHey Eddie...just gets harder and harder to figure out why they do things the way that they do! City, state, or local...it all seems crazy to me!
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks for coming by, my friend!
Ah HJ, my wise friend...there is so much that can be said for the lack of intelligence that runs through this country (can't blame it all on the politicians, regular ol' joes are just as much to blame for some of it...hemp being one...think 'just say no' obsessed parent).
ReplyDeleteI gotta say, I love my hemp tee shirts (rough and tumble, don't stain up...pert near impossible to destroy), my hemp lotion and heck, when the youngest was still in diapers...he had hemp diapers (which totally rocked). Sad that it all came from elsewhere though...real sad.
Pass on the coffee today, feelin' a bit peckish.
Hey Momma...see, I knew you were a kewl gal! Why is it that folks don't research the older ways of doing things as as as canvas and material?
ReplyDeleteYou would think that if for no other reason than saving on import cost, the government would start hemp farms again.
I just don't get it!
Hey, thanks for coming by to visit for a minute today, and I hope you get to feeling better!
Dear Jim,
ReplyDeleteI guess we're all pretty much agreed that the govt is behind the great "dont smoke the rope" plot.
But to answer your question re using hemp instead of corn for biofuel, you've overlooked the fact that LAND is the constant. Whether you grow corn or hemp, you are still using farmland for biofuel that would otherwise be used for food. Doesnt matter one way or the other what you are growing if you dont eat it.
A question that hasnt been asked/answered (and I dont know the answer myself) is, of the two, which is the most efficient and cost-effective in production. For example: If you can get twice as much net energy, at half the cost, out of corn as you can from hemp, it makes sense to grow corn for biofuel. Or vice versa. But neither crop ends up being eaten.
BTW: Have you tried a tablespoon of hot chocolate in your coffee? Delish!
SaddleTramp
Hey SaddleTramp...guess I never thought about it that way before.
ReplyDeleteTheonly thing I keep coming back to in my mind is how we can break our dependency on foreign oil...obviously, the government will not take a leadership role in the developement of an alternate means of transportation.
I personnaly use very little gas or oil...but for those that depend on transportation daily, I'm sure they would appreciate any improvement they could get!
Thanks so much for coming by!
Thats a really good question Jim, I don't have the full answer, but I do sometimes wonder how many people would be chasing the hemp burning vehicles just for a little sniff of the exhaust, or climbing tall buildings just to have a sniff of that chimeney or smoke stack. You might even find those who might want to reroute there exhaust back into the car or house. Just a thought. Interesting post Jim.
ReplyDeleteSounds great to me, HermitJim. I seem to remember, many years ago, we grew a few as "house plants", really beautiful things, but the buds and leaves seemed to mysteriously disappear after awhile. I guess it was mice, very happy mice, very happy and fat mice...
ReplyDeleteHey FG...yeah, there will always be some folks thinking in the here and now, instead of the long term benifits.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit!
Hey Coyote...funny how those house plants lose their leaves at the strangest of times, huh?
Probably lots of happy mice indeed!
Hey, I sure thank you for stopping by!
I think that it wouldn't have to compete with food crops for land. It seems that illegal growers get some good crops in areas that food crops don't or can't use. I've heard it said that the smoking kind is touchier than the fiber variety & if it is true, then the crop could go into odd areas that most farms have. It would mean more hand work but if the crop saved money by lower inputs then it could still be profitable. Until that day comes, I'll have another cup please.
ReplyDeletehttp://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_yield.html
ReplyDeleteHemp produces more oil than corn does, but there are many crops that do much better. Still, for crop rotation and such, why not?
Hey Tweell...just seems a more viable and multi-purpose crop to be using for things like fuel other than corn or other food crops.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping in!