Wisconsin: Hemp as an Energy Source in 1917

[Miranda4peace]

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Correspondent

There is a truth that must be heard! Established in 1916, the Fairwater Hemp Company was one of the upper midwest's largest hemp producers. It was located adjacent to the booming railroad line and also to the west of the north fork of the Grand River, making it convenient for the production of electricity to power their manufacturing plant. The community of Fairwater, which was founded around the water power of the river in 1848, was officially incorporated in 1921.

In 1917, Fairwater Hemp began using industrial hemp as electrical energy when the river was low by burning the byproducts of their hemp rope manufacture, hemp hurds, to drive a steam engine to produce electricity. This instance is the first documented use of hemp as an energy source.

Although Fairwater hemp operations ceased in 1931, the number of things that can be made from hemp continues to grow today. The possibilities for the plant are endless job producers for those who wish to be innovative. It is this writers opinion, we must re-introduce this agricultural crop to our society, now more than ever.

[Jerry442]

1. I've always wondered if the foliage of fast-growing plants...

...could become a viable energy source.

Never thought about hemp though.

[Bennyboy]

2. "Never thought about hemp though"

Really? My how the media did it's job here. I've known for decades, but sadly, a huge number of Americans are in the same boat as you are. HEMP CAN SAVE THE WORLD. energy. Water conservation, lower pesticide, fungicide and bleaching that are used tog row cotton and other fibre crops. The shuttered pulp mills that now make products out of wood (or would if there was wood) could be put into production to make fibre board, fake wood etc. (trex and the like).....