feature article — Feature Articles

Jul 16

Jul 16 Establishing Hemp's Foundation

Hemp, Hemp Fiber, Hemp-Lime, Hemp Hurd, HempWool, AcoustiBatt, PlantPanel, HempWood, GaiaCrete, Housing Innovations, Affordable Housing, Bio-Based, Decarbonization, Vapor-Permeable, SIP

Hemp-based building materials were among the select group of housing innovations on display for policymakers and the public in mid-June 2023 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

This year marked the first time that hemp had a presence at the Innovative Housing Showcase, an outdoor event which the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sponsor on the national stage. 2023 was the showcase's third installment; another is planned in 2024.

May 16

May 16 Amazing Untapped Potential

Michael Sirak

Geoff Whaling, National Hemp Association, Hemp, Hemp Fiber, Hemp Grain, Hemp Seed, Total Addressable Market, Sustainable Development, Regenerative Agriculture, Animal Feed, Biodiesel

The tremendous promise of the hemp plant to help feed, shelter, and power the world while also restoring the planet from environmental damage was on display in early May 2023 at the Agriculture Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate Summit in Washington, D.C.

The National Hemp Association (NHA) had a table set up highlighting many applications of industrial hemp and how hemp could play a role in addressing climate challenges and bolster sustainable agriculture..

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Oct 10

Oct 10 Eyes on Flavonoids

Michael Sirak

Dr Zacariah L Hildenbrand, Cannabis, Hemp, Pigments, Flavonoids, Anthocyanins, Cannflavins, Cannabinoids, Terpenes, Varins

Scientists are taking a greater interest in studying the flavonoids in the cannabis plant to exploit them for human health, said a biochemist at a recent cannabis conference.

These substances, which are abundant across the plant world, give some cannabis varieties vivid color. They also have demonstrated significant therapeutic effects on humans, Dr. Zacariah L. Hildenbrand, a research professor at the University of Texas at El Paso, told attendees of the 2022 Cannabis Science Conference East on Sept. 15, 2022, in Baltimore.

Sep 11

Sep 11 Come Grow With Us

Michael Sirak

Nick Walters, Hemp, Hemp Grower, Hemp Fiber, Hemp Grain, Sustainable Development, Regenerative Agriculture, Renewable Natural Gas, Energy Pellet, Land-Grant Institution, Hemp Research Consortium, Field Day, Seed Trials, Hemp A-ha Moment

As the domestic hemp industry slowly moves from infancy toward adulthood, one fledgling organization is establishing a foothold to ensure that hemp growers prosper in coming years.

The National Hemp Growers Cooperative began in 2019 with the goal of building wealth for its members, said Nick Walters, the co-op's managing partner. In the process, the organization will help to strengthen the nascent industrial hemp sector and promote sound environmental stewardship, he said in an interview.

May 17

May 17 Energizing Hemp

Michael Sirak

Roger Ford, Eureka Energy Corporation, Hemp, Hybrid Energy Plant, Elkhorn City, Biomass, Renewable Natural Gas, Biodiesel, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Solar Power, EPA, Renewable Fuel Pathway

Hemp could play a valuable role as a renewable input for producing Earth-friendly energy, according to Roger Ford, president and CEO of Eureka Energy Corporation, a Wyoming-based start-up with a bold vision for transforming the domestic power sector.

The company would like to see hemp become available to it to generate electric power and make liquid transportation fuels at the novel clean-energy plants it aims to build and operate across the country. he said.

Oct 31

Oct 31 Hemp at Mount Vernon

Michael Sirak

George Washington, Mount Vernon, Potomac River, Hemp, Hemp Fiber, Dean Norton, Prof Michael Timko, Historical Interpretation, Pioneer Farm, Hlukhivs’ki 51

I recently visited George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate on the Potomac River in northern Virginia. I went to learn more about the estate’s hemp crop and Washington’s life there.

Mount Vernon re-introduced hemp in 2018 after an absence of some 220 years. Hemp had been an important crop for Washington when he lived at the estate in the second half of the 18th century. After his death in 1799, hemp growing waned there.

Dec 20

Dec 20 Light Up Your Life

Michael Sirak

Dr Jack Kruse, Sunlight, Sunrise, Sun-gazing, Mitochondria, Visible Light, Infrared, Ultraviolet, Artificial Light, Hormones, Chronic Disease

I had never greeted the rising sun on numerous consecutive mornings. That changed in mid-2020 when I committed to watching the sun come up on 90 straight days.

The purpose of this non-scientific experiment was to see if I would notice any benefit to my health. Dr. Jack Kruse, a neurosurgeon and self-described “optimal health educator,” inspired me to do this.

Apr 10

Apr 10 Embrace the Seasonal Flow

Michael Sirak

Ron Teeguarden, Dragon Herbs, Yin & Yang, Jing, Qi, Tonic Herbs, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Spring is upon us for those of us living in the Earth’s northern hemisphere. Temperatures are becoming warmer and we enjoy more hours of daylight. Nature is vividly expressing itself.

Nature's seasonal flow of energy applies to humans, too, and we benefit when we adapt to be in sync with the energy dynamic of each season, according to Ron Teeguarden, a master Chinese herbalist.

Jun 15

Jun 15 Eating in Vibrant Color

Michael Sirak

David Avocado Wolfe, Pigments, Phycocyanin, Chlorophyll, Astaxanthin, Quercetin, Lycopene

Of all the holistic health issues I’ve followed in the past several years, one has held my attention: the nutritional significance of the natural colors in food.

Holistic health and longevity expert David Avocado Wolfe introduced this subject to me in 2015. Ever since, I’ve been filtering my food through a different prism, so to speak, and I think I’m better off for it.