“Today, not starting is far, far worse than being wrong." ~Seth Godin Hello friends, hello world. [inaugural post and manifesto]For a while now, hemp has been on my mind. It's also in our garden, and all around the house. Seems like it's everywhere you look! You see it on shelves. It's growing on farms. It's in my food, my body, my bloodstream. It's in our jeans. For some, it's contagious. It's really here, and it's not going away. Hemp has such charisma, such a vibrant history. People all around the world speak of hemp with great affection: Cannabis, Konopli, Kender, Chanvre, Cañamo, Canapa, Hampa, Nasha, Ta-Ma, Hanf, Asa, Ma. Hemp spoken here is a way of saying, "we speak the same language". This language is energizing our culture right now, and that's something I'm excited to explore with you. My name is Netaka, or Tak (hint; sounds like "tock"). I’ve been close friends with hemp for a number of years; as an early adopter, merchant and entrepreneur, storyteller, hemp grower, and still a true believer. I’m launching Tak About Hemp to delve into the American Hemp Experience. We're not a "news site", more like a platform where we explore what's shaping hemp culture; the events, people, and products, as well as hemp policies, production & processing techniques. We engage in heady commentary, and discuss what's working ~ or what's not, so that hemp in the U.S. can reach its full potential. Vermont has been my home for some time. Hemp is woven into Vermont's history, it's now clearly part of our future. Because there's a lot of hemp activity in my home state, I make sure to dedicate resources and share stories on this site with a distinctly Vermont focus. My hope is others will find this information useful as well (even if spoken in a Vermont dialect!), and that you'll be able to adapt it to meet your needs. The end of hemp prohibition is only the beginning. Now that this crop is a legal agricultural commodity, the growth of new networks and markets for hemp production will intensify. So will natural fiber, food and medicine innovations. I really don’t think that’s hyperbole. I’ve seen what hemp can do; it’s that good. The time is now to set our sights on 1,000,000 acres of US hemp by 2022 for food, fiber, energy, and medicine. The million acres I'm visualizing are grown without genetic engineering. They're cultivated with other rotation crops in healthy soils, with minimal inputs, and opportunities for all size stakeholders. Let's do the very best we can. "Start with a 'Yes', and see where that takes you" ~ Tina Fey Make Change HappenAs I write, I'm also on the lookout for other practitioners who want to share their stories here ~ in their own words. I think the more we communicate about what we're learning, and how and where it applies, the sooner the changes we want (and need) to see happen, will come. I’m thrilled that we’re connecting. Tell me, what about the American hemp experience is important to you? What are your questions and concerns? What isn’t getting covered like it should? Where do we want to go, and then how do we go further? It’s not too difficult to feel really positive about the future of hemp right now. Are your sleeves rolled up? Let’s get to it.
4 Comments
Suzy FORTGANG
12/29/2018 11:46:08 am
Can’t wait to read more! Right
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Netaka
1/2/2019 07:51:20 pm
Thanks Suzy -- Glad you're enjoying it, lots more on the way :-D ~N
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12/26/2019 08:30:26 pm
I enjoy reading all of your blogs and love your idea of putting this blog site together to explore the hemp industry and what is coming for the entire industry. I always look forward to reading your content.
Reply
Netaka White
1/17/2020 02:04:19 pm
Hi Anna - Thanks so much for your comments, and I'm really glad you're enjoying the content. I had to the hit the pause button on my blog by the middle of last year to handle some surprises that Life presented. I'm looking forward to returning in 2020. Stay tuned!
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AuthorI'm Netaka, friends call me Tak ("tock"). I write from Vermont and curate Tak About Hemp. Archives
May 2019
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