(Cazenovia, NY – May 2015) To celebrate National Hemp History Week, all are invited to the Cazenovia Public Library Community Room on Wednesday, June 3 at 7 p.m. for a screening of Bringing It Home, an industrial hemp documentary that has sparked action on farming legalization and policy reform.
Hosting the screening of this award-winning documentary film will be Susie Cody, President of the New York Hemp Industrial Association. She will also have samples of hemp with her as well as lead the discussion and Q and A session following the film.
Filmmakers Linda Booker and Blaire Johnson tell the story of hemp through animation, archival images, and filmed footage with hemp business leaders and entrepreneurs. By exploring its history, industries, and current farming legalization efforts, Bringing It Home, investigates the question of why a crop with so many widespread benefits cannot be farmed in the United States.
In 2013, twenty-one states introduced industrial hemp legislation, but current federal policy still places a barrier on production. More industrial hemp fiber, seed, and oil is exported to the U.S. than to any other country, and American consumers are purchasing over $500 million in hemp products annually. What then is preventing the U.S. from fully joining 31 other industrialized nations that allow its farmers to grow this beneficial crop?
The screening of Bringing It Home is part of a national grassroots screening tour across the country. “We made Bringing It Home with the intention of reaching a broad spectrum of viewers with the same strategic message about how hemp offers solutions and hope,” says Booker. “Whether viewers are policy makers, members of civic groups, farmers, health advocates, construction workers, or consumers, this documentary aims to magnify dialogue and legislative action about hemp in order to facilitate America’s transition to a more informed, sustainable, and healthy future.”
“This film is a great introduction to industrial hemp. For hemp to be accessible and economically beneficial, though, it must be grown and processed locally,” says Cody. “It’s important for central New York communities like ours to become educated and knowledgeable about hemp, and most definitely to take action. I encourage people to reach out and invite their neighbors, elected officials, farmers, educators, builders, contractors, law enforcement, and other industry leaders to Bringing It Home.”
Readers may also be interested in another local event taking place on June 6 at 10 a.m.in the Community Room at the Morrisville Branch Campus in Norwich. Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, author of the NY Hemp Bill; Jim Savage of Breen Built, a hempcrete building company; and NYHIA representatives will all be speaking. At this event, hemp samples will also be on display and Bringing it Home will be shown.
Please email any questions to susie.nyhia@gmail.com.
For more information on this or other events at the Cazenovia Public Library, call 655-9322 or visit www.cazenoviapubliclibrary.org.