In September, Kentucky Hempsters attended several events on behalf of the Kentucky Hemp Heritage Alliance (KHHA) and the Heritage Hemp Trail in order to provide insight and information regarding Kentucky's rich hemp history and how the crop is making a comeback today. Two of these events catered specifically toward grade school students, many of whom were hearing and learning about industrial hemp for the first time.
Living History at Ashland
This is the second year Kentucky Hempsters attended Living History at Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate to provide hemp education to the freshman class at Henry Clay High School. Last year, the crop had been harvested and the students learned about hemp as it stood retting in its shock. This time, students got to see the plot prior to harvest and in full bloom. Many of them initially mistook the plants for the crop's cannabis cousin, but it didn't take long before the misconceptions were cleared and the curiosity kicked in!
Frontier Days at the Jack Jouett House
The Jack Jouett House in Versailles hosts the Woodford County 4th graders each year for a field trip called Frontier Days. Students spend the day visiting stations set up around the property and learning about the history rooted in the Jouett House and "frontier" times.
Kentucky Hempsters joined the event this year as the hemp station, speaking to 14 groups of 25+ students for 20 minutes. Each group learned about the history of the hemp plant in Kentucky, while learning about all of its uses and benefits we know about today.
These students were all unfamiliar with hemp, so this was the first experience leaning about the plant - as part of our history, rather than a controlled substance.
The Kentucky Hemp Heritage Alliance and Heritage Hemp Trail offer a unique educational opportunity for all ages, with a goal of re-associating the crop with Kentucky heritage. Events and activities that take place at these historic sites create a new experience and understanding of industrial hemp by preserving the past and promoting the future.