Turning Seeds Into an American Icon: A History of Hemp in the U.S. | Short Film Showcase

[Laughter] [Music] They paved my road when I was seven or eight years old. I rode that school bus that first day, and I came home. It was the first time I'd ever looked at my own situation, and it's like I'm poor. [Music] [Laughter] [Music] [Laughter]

Industrial hemp has played a key role, really, in the founding of this country. The first American flags that were made in this country were made of industrial hemp. We had actually gotten our seed in April. The DEA didn't agree that we had a right to plant the crop. They said they were gonna arrest us for breaking the law.

The one question that I get asked the most is, "What the hell are you gonna do?" Is this stuff? The grant from Patagonia allowed the veterans to build a machine to process their hemp by hand. There was no infrastructure; they couldn't do it any other way.

Thank you. This is an extreme privilege and an honor. I would first like to thank every man and woman that has put on a uniform in defense of our fellow citizens. From the simple hemp seed and the means to make the cordage that was converted into the sails and ropes that brought the first explorers to America, and later would feed the printing presses that would organize our first militias and ultimately helped us declare our independence. [Music]

In 2014, with the help of some fellow veterans, we've planted hemp seeds on our farm. Much like those earlier settlers, we embarked on a journey into uncharted waters. We chose to grow and create an American flag on principle, I suppose, as we have lost our connection with the land and the people who fed us. We've lost our sense of community and, more importantly, our sense of place.

The flag represents a collective history and future of an entire nation of people—our people. So it shouldn't be made anywhere other than here, and you should most certainly not be made cheaply. In the end, there is more than just fiber that tears and fades when you use cheap goods to hold things together.

It is no secret that America needs more farmers, but we need the tools to be successful. An industrial hemp is a cornerstone for financial and resource stability on the family farm. We are just one small team with limited resources, and we took simple seeds and we turned them into this flag that represents the strength and ingenuity of the American farmer. [Music]

I can only imagine what wonders we will see when every American farmer has the opportunity to grow this amazing crop. Thank you. [Music] [Music]