Hemp textiles made in U.S. will take time, experts say

[Judi Lynn]

UPDATED AUG. 5, 2019 AT 12:35 PM

By Jean Lotus



This is a hemp field in Minnesota, where the plant grows well. Photo courtesy of Minnesota Hemp Farms

DENVER, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. Constitution was written on hemp paper, and Betsy Ross' first American flag was made of hemp fabric, but the road back to hemp fiber textiles grown in the United States will take a while, industry experts say.

Thousands of U.S. farmers have planted hemp this year, hoping to cash in on the revival of a historic American crop that was illegal to grow for more than 80 years. A member of the cannabis family and cousin to marijuana, hemp was taken off the illegal federal Schedule 1 status in the 2018 Farm Bill.

But most farmers choose to grow the CBD variety of hemp, which is a short, bushy plant, compared to hemp grown for fiber and textiles -- a long, reedlike plant that can reach 15 feet tall.

Hemp fiber was used for rope, sails and canvas in the past. But now, sophisticated yarn made from hemp fibers can be used in materials from cotton blends to upholstery fabric to silk. The long fibers are naturally stronger and last longer than cotton.

More:
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2019/08/05/Hemp-textiles-made-in-US-will-take-time-experts-say/9861564531347/

[mopinko]

1. i have been thinking about what farmers need to salvage a year like this one.

because ag is so specialized and mechanized, if your field is under water in the spring, your year could be lost.
more adaptability will be needed in the future. farmers need the infrastructure to plant something shorter season.
no idea how you facilitate that, but we sort of need a roving farmer rescue corp that has the machinery, the workers, and the know-how to at least get something. gleaners for late year disasters is something else that could help.

anyway, reading that and it made me think that if you had a cornfield full of mud, broadcasting some hemp might be useful, but at least would benefit the soil.

(of course the real answer to this is permaculture and regenerative ag, but that is a rant for another day.)

[safeinOhio]

2. Already here

https://cbdtesters.co/2019/03/14/levis-hemp-clothing/

Levi’s Hemp
The Levi’s Wellthread Collection launched back in 2015 and has been using an innovative dyeing technology that uses about 70 percent less water than standard, indigo denim dying. The Wellthread x Outerknown collection launched last September.


Global warming will accelerate the Hemp Hydrogen Economy.