• I have a question ...how do I get ahold of someone?
• Is my credit card information safe ?
• Can I use check or money order to pay for my order?
• What is your return/exchange policy?
• Can I place my order over the telephone?
• Do you have a print catalog you can mail to me ?
• Who built The Earth Friendly Network?
• What is the meaning behind your logo and who created it ?
• What is hemp?
• What is sustainable living ?
• What is fair trade ?
• Index of Articles Available at The Earth Friendly Network
• What companies is the Earth Friendly Network associated with?
• "I've called,but no one answers...why?"
• The Many Benefits of Hemp Fabric
• Even More Information About Hemp Fabric

I have a question ...how do I get ahold of someone? TOP
As an internet store, the best way to reach us is: the internet. You are welcome to use our live support chat (located in the upper right corner of the page) or send an email to contact@earthfriendlygoods.com. If you feel your question can't be handled via the internet, feel free to call us (877) 447-1521. Due to the high volume of calls we receive, we may not be able to take your call. If we are unable to answer your call, please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible (48-72 hours is average return call time frame).

Is my credit card information safe ? TOP
We understand your concerns about e-commerce security. We have designed our site with security in mind to provide you with a safe shopping experience. We use safe technology -secure sockets layer (SSL) software is the industry standard and among the best software available today for secure online commerce transactions. All sensitive information for this site is gathered on a secure server over a connection using 128-bit SSL encryption. It encrypts your credit card number so that it cannot be read as the information travels over the Internet. When you provide your credit card information, you'll see that it is a secure connection - the address in the address bar will begin with https (rather than http).

Can I use check or money order to pay for my order? TOP
To pay for your order using a check or money order, please enter the order on our website as if you were going to pay with a credit card. On the bottom of the page where the shipping address is entered, you will be asked to select a payment method. Choose Check/Money Order as the payment method and click on the Continue Purchase. Next, you will be brought to the Payment Confirmation page. Please review your order on this page and click Send purchase. This will cause the the order to be recorded in our system and you will receive an email confirmation of your order. Please print the order and send along with your check or money order to:

Orders @ Earth Friendly Goods
10886 S 251st E Ave
Broken Arrow, OK 74014

We'll send you an email confirming that your payment was received. Once your payment is processed, we will ship your order to you.

What is your return/exchange policy? TOP
Earth Friendly Goods will accept requests to return merchandise for exchange, refund, or store credit for up to and not exceeding ten (10) days after the ship date. If an item does not meet your needs, simply contact us to get a Return Authorization # within 10 days of purchase for a refund, exchange or credit, a 10% restocking fee may be deducted from your total refund. All sales are final on clearance/sale items. To qualify for exchange, merchandise must be in new condition. No claims can be accepted if items have been cut, dyed, or altered in any way. The customer is responsible to pay for the shipping to return the item to be exchanged to Earth Friendly Goods. We will pay for the outbound shipping of the new item to the customer. Credit card refunds will be applied within 30 days of return processing. All returns must receive a Return Authorization Number (RA#) prior to returning merchandise. Returns received without the appropriate RA# will be refused. An RA# can be obtained via e-mail,contact@earthfriendlygoods.com. The return mailing address will be provided with the RA#.

FABRIC RETURNS/EXCHANGES
We represent the fabrics of several manufacturers. Each company has its own policy. Return authorization must be issued prior to return. Claims must be made within 48 hours after notice of delivery. Only uncut, unwashed goods may be returned. It is the responsibility of the buyer to examine the goods upon receipt and notify the seller of variation immediately. On open stock goods, should the fabric be returned without reason of defect or variation from order, the buyer will pay for the return freight. It is the buyer's responsibility to know the terms for return or claim.

Can I place my order over the telephone? TOP
Yes. You can place your order over the telephone. Please call us to place this order at our (in the US) toll-free order number: (877) 447-1521

Do you have a print catalog you can mail to me ? TOP
We do not print a catalog for Earth Friendly Goods. We know that some shoppers might prefer to browse a print catalog. However, because of the number of products we carry (over 1,000 and counting!) and the high cost to print a catalog, we do not offer one at this time. It saves a few trees and allows us to keep our prices low. We've designed the site to be easy to navigate and read to help you browse our site as you would a catalog. You may print a text only catalog by using the "Print Catalog" link on the right. Thank you for choosing Earth Friendly Goods.

Who built The Earth Friendly Network? TOP

Going green
By KAREN SHADE World Scene Writer
9/4/2005

View in Print (PDF) Format

Eco-Expo founders spread the word about earth-friendly choices

Learning to become earth-friendly can be festive as well as informative; at least that's the goal of a small network of businesses and organizations hoping to start a new environmental kick in Oklahoma.

Carie Cave and her sister Ami Nguyen, owners of Earth Friendly Goods in Tulsa, are determined that the Green Country Eco-Expo, scheduled for 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at Woodward Park, will become an annual event the likes of similar festivals held in other parts of the country.

"They've got them on the East Coast and the West Coast, but they're not very common here in the Midwest," Cave said.

Organizers are patterning Eco-Expo after larger standbys such as Green Festival in Washington, D.C., slated for later this month, and in San Francisco in November. Ecofest is in its 17th year in New York City.

"The events are about teaching people what an impact their choices -- their purchasing choices more than anything -- have on our environment and on our future," Nguyen said. ". . . Nobody tells you when you go home from the hospital (after having a baby) with your pack of free Pampers, or whatever, that one diaper is going to land in a landfill and be there for 500 years."

Nguyen started to think about those choices when she was pregnant with her third child, and she opted to make some changes in her life. Switching to "green living" for her meant changing to organic foods, driving less frequently, using recycling and many other choices.

She also decided to start Earth Friendly Goods as an online business about four years ago as an outlet for consumers looking for similar goods and ideas.

Cave made a switch to more earth-conscious living about a year ago and felt her energy level increase.

"You should see pictures of her (from) three years ago. She looks like a completely different person," Nguyen said.

When she wanted out of an unfulfilling job, Cave decided to work with Nguyen. Cave eventually opened the Earth Friendly Goods shop, 1608 E. 15th St.

"I knew that I was already passionate about green living and healthy living, and that I had to make the change priority wise," she said. "My dad has Lou Gehrig's disease, which is a disease tied to the toxic levels in your body, and if I want to do anything in my life to try and avoid getting that disease the only thing I can do, really, is to change my diet."

The Green Country Eco-Expo is sponsored by Earth Friendly Goods, Wild Oats market, the Metropolitan Environmental Trust and Sustainable Tulsa.

Businesses and organizations will be on hand with goods for green living and information about reducing packaging, recycling, conserving resources, using locally produced natural goods and other methods accepted into the low-impact lifestyle.

Along with information, however, there will be live music and activities to make the day as fun as it is informative.

"You know, I never thought much about consumer power before. I mean, it's so easy for people to say, 'Well, what I do won't make a difference. I'm just one person.' But you take that one person and multiply it by 10, and there are 10 people doing something different.

"Then they tell 10 people about it, and then there are 20 people. Before you know it, there is a significant change. It's got to start somewhere," Cave said.

For more information about the Green Country Eco-Expo, call Earth Friendly Goods at 592-9292.

9/4/2005

View in Print (PDF) Format

Eco-Expo founders spread the word about earth-friendly choices

Learning to become earth-friendly can be festive as well as informative; at least that's the goal of a small network of businesses and organizations hoping to start a new environmental kick in Oklahoma.

Carie Cave and her sister Ami Nguyen, owners of Earth Friendly Goods in Tulsa, are determined that the Green Country Eco-Expo, scheduled for 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at Woodward Park, will become an annual event the likes of similar festivals held in other parts of the country.

"They've got them on the East Coast and the West Coast, but they're not very common here in the Midwest," Cave said.

Organizers are patterning Eco-Expo after larger standbys such as Green Festival in Washington, D.C., slated for later this month, and in San Francisco in November. Ecofest is in its 17th year in New York City.

"The events are about teaching people what an impact their choices -- their purchasing choices more than anything -- have on our environment and on our future," Nguyen said. ". . . Nobody tells you when you go home from the hospital (after having a baby) with your pack of free Pampers, or whatever, that one diaper is going to land in a landfill and be there for 500 years."

Nguyen started to think about those choices when she was pregnant with her third child, and she opted to make some changes in her life. Switching to "green living" for her meant changing to organic foods, driving less frequently, using recycling and many other choices.

She also decided to start Earth Friendly Goods as an online business about four years ago as an outlet for consumers looking for similar goods and ideas.

Cave made a switch to more earth-conscious living about a year ago and felt her energy level increase.

"You should see pictures of her (from) three years ago. She looks like a completely different person," Nguyen said.

When she wanted out of an unfulfilling job, Cave decided to work with Nguyen. Cave eventually opened the Earth Friendly Goods shop, 1608 E. 15th St.

"I knew that I was already passionate about green living and healthy living, and that I had to make the change priority wise," she said. "My dad has Lou Gehrig's disease, which is a disease tied to the toxic levels in your body, and if I want to do anything in my life to try and avoid getting that disease the only thing I can do, really, is to change my diet."

The Green Country Eco-Expo is sponsored by Earth Friendly Goods, Wild Oats market, the Metropolitan Environmental Trust and Sustainable Tulsa.

Businesses and organizations will be on hand with goods for green living and information about reducing packaging, recycling, conserving resources, using locally produced natural goods and other methods accepted into the low-impact lifestyle.

Along with information, however, there will be live music and activities to make the day as fun as it is informative.

"You know, I never thought much about consumer power before. I mean, it's so easy for people to say, 'Well, what I do won't make a difference. I'm just one person.' But you take that one person and multiply it by 10, and there are 10 people doing something different.

"Then they tell 10 people about it, and then there are 20 people. Before you know it, there is a significant change. It's got to start somewhere," Cave said.

For more information call Earth Friendly Goods at 918-592-9292.

Eco-Conscious Retailer Builds
Successful Online Hemp Shop at Home

Earth Friendly Network owner and eco-mom Amie Nguyen manages four eco-conscious websites with more than 1,000 products and customers from around the world - all from the comfort (and sometimes chaos) of her Tulsa, Oklahoma home office.

Children, pets and a spouse aside, Amie attributes her success to professional designs, top-notch customer service and a long journey of lessons learned.

"The most important lesson I've learned is to build strong relationships with business contacts and associates," Amie said. Those contacts and associates in return refer customers to her business and can provide assistance to her in areas where they have more experience and expertise.

Through those contacts and associates, Amie has built a professional website and established a network of wholesalers for whom she retails her hemp and organic cotton products - all while caring for her four children, ranging in age from 10 years to 2 months. She also unschools the oldest two. (Unschooling is following your children's lead., allowing them to learn from a wide variety of experiences and resources.)

Managing her businesses and household, which includes a husband (who runs his own automotive accessory installation business and that she helps run), children, three dogs and a parrot, takes a lot of flexibility.

"It's like juggling. You have to be on the ball all the time," Amie said. "There is no time for idle thoughts (well not much anyway). The children/husband/family always come first so you have to learn to let go of what needs to be done in other areas so you can focus on what's most important. The balancing act never stays the same for long because each day, thing (the kids, business, etc.) are always changing."

Life wasn't always so hectic. Five years ago she never would have guessed what she is doing today - but she isn't too surprised.

"I was just never into what people said was it," she said. "I always challenged the norm and what authorities told me. Even as a 7 yr old, I thought doctors were full of it. But that wasn't because I had read about any natural lifestyle. It was just my instinct and personality."

Her instincts lead her to breastfeeding her children and co-sleeping with them, even before she knew there was a name for the attachment parenting lifestyle. Those instincts also led her to seek other ways to follow her natural inclinations instead of what the majority of society recommends.

Her two oldest children were born in the hospital, but when Amie became pregnant with her third, she began researching something different. She turned to the internet to find sources of information about the lifestyle choices she was making - and stumbled into a new world. From websites and message boards, she learned about attachment parenting, homebirth and natural living.

"When I was pregnant with Lucy, I found Hipmama.com (a radical version of Mothering.com). Many, if not most, of the members had homebirths. I had no idea people actually did that. I thought that was back in Little House on the Prairie Days. Then I started researching and the more I found out about homebirth, the more I found about natural living. Most of the sites with homebirth information had information about natural living. Each piece of information I found led me to uncover a heap of other information."

During her research, she also discovered cloth diapering. She knew that cloth diapers would be a perfect fit for her evolving lifestyle - and a perfect way for her to supplement the family income. This revelation led to the creation of www.wildnwoolygoods.com in 2002. As a friendly and outgoing person, entrepreneurship came naturally to her.

"You have to be confident in yourself and your ideas and be able to communicate well with others to be a successful business owner,"Amie said.

She decided that her Wild N Wooly Goods site should be focused on selling natural fabric, yarn, clothing, cloth diapers and other products to parents who practice attachment parenting. (Attachment parents believe in parenting practices that promote strong emotional bonds with their children, including breastfeeding, co-sleeping and natural living.)

Amie created www.earthfriendlygoods.com, www.hempfabricshop.com and www.hempbabygoods.com last year as a way to expand her target market from attachment parents and WAHMs to more mainstream consumers.

Through search engine optimization, signature lines on message boards, banner advertising and print ads in ezines and magazines, she built her sites to be well-known and respected in the WAHM world. To reach her new target markets, Amie plans to rely on her relationships with other business owners, Google and Froogle.

She knows that success won't be an overnight process though. Amie said it took two years for her to feel like her business had become successful.

"I don't think it was the length of time for me to become known - rather it was me learning the ins and outs of ecommerce," she said.

She also learned some hard lessons, like how to avoid under pricing her items and that she should have started out with a professional website design.

"Don't expect overnight success, always treat your customers right, don't under-compensate or overwork yourself. Do what you love - love what you do," Amie said.

She realized her business was taking off when she started receiving more orders - so many that it became a lot of work to keep up with it all. To compensate from the demands of her business, Amie makes time to chat with her friends and associates.

"We have a weekly get together with friends, turn off the computer and walk away when it's too much."

Amie spends six to 10 hours a day, six days a week working. But she makes sure she never forgets to "stop and smell the roses."

Life is too short to let your online business take over your life," she said. This lesson hit home when she got her first credit card charge backs.

"My lowest point was when I had my first credit card charge backs," she said. "I had to pay $3,000 that I did not have and was not making enough to cover. I seriously contemplated quitting at that point." Despite the fact that she was financing her business ventures with personal savings and credit cards, she decided to not let the setback drive her out of business.

Instead, she looked to the future, of her business and the industry she is in. Next week, she plans to launch a line of hemp food and oil. This will make her store the first to sell those products in Oklahoma. She hopes that her business and products will help increase awareness and use of natural products, which will, in turn, make the products more affordable for mainstream consumers.

"Unfortunately natural/earth-friendly products are not as affordable/inexpensive as convenience items found at mainstream stores," Amie said. "It's my hope that opening natural goods to a wider audience will create a large enough demand that it will become more mainstream and eventually more affordable."

Amie is personally familiar with what the mainstream consumer looks for when shopping.

"It wasn't too long ago that I was a mainstream consumer who purchased whatever was on sale, whatever was convenient," Nguyen said. Even as a child though, she knew some mainstream things just weren't right for her.

"I started with running a co-op for hemp fabrics," Nguyen said. I was able to sell enough fabric to get a significant discount on the fabric, making it possible for me to produce products and sell them at a competitive price. When I was ready to sell my cloth diapers, I began building my website and adding a few other items to my store."

Four websites and three kids later, Amie has come a long way in her journey - a journey that her customers will benefit from each time they make a purchase from her natural goods stores or learn something new from her informational sites.

What is the meaning behind your logo and who created it ? TOP

Hemp is the most earth-friendly crop available, which is why we have chosen to feature this material in our products and in our logo. We created the Earth Friendly Network logo using the botanical image of the Cannabis Sativa L plant. We wanted the image to accurately reflect the plant's form, without immediately relating it to marijuana. Many thanks to artist Marnie Thorp for capturing the image exactly as we perceived it. Each of our network sites utilize the leaves and seeds logo with the hope that we can continue to educate the public about the many beneficial uses for industrial hemp.

What is hemp? TOP
Hemp refers to the stalk and seed of the plant Cannabis sativa L. More than 1,000 strains of this plant are cultivated for various uses, including food, fiber, and fuel. It grows well naturally without pesticides or herbicides. Hemp textiles offer superior strength and durability, insulative qualities, and some UV protection. Additionally, hemp fiber products are naturally mildew-resistant, making hemp an ideal choice for cloth diapers. Cannabis or marijuana refers to the smoking or ingesting of the flowers or leaves. These parts contain significantly higher amounts of the compound THC (TetraHydraCannibinol), which is required for psychoactivity.

What is sustainable living ? TOP

Sustainable living is an approach to social and economic, indeed, all activities, for all societies, rich and poor, which is compatible with the preservation of the environment. It is based on a philosophy of interdependence, of respect for life as well as non-living parts of Nature, and of responsibility for future generations.

There is no single path towards a sustainable future -- quite the contrary. Each person, community, ethnic or religious group, region, country, or culture should search for its own unique approaches based on historical roots, technologies, population dynamics and specific natural conditions.

Just as we believe in finding a variety of ways towards sustainable living, we also seek to identify basic principles and approaches acceptable for different human cultures. This Web Site will explore the diversity and unity of the myriad approaches to sustainable living.

Sustainable Living Network

What is fair trade ? TOP
The idea of Fair Trade represents a number of different things. First, Fair Trade guarantees a living wage to farmers for the produce that they grow. Due to a glut in the global market, farmers from poorer nations have not been able to make a profit on the crops that they grow. Some of the most adversely affected crops include coffee, cocoa, and rice. Second, Fair Trade represents an opportunity to conduct business based on the "triple bottom line"—a fair deal for farmers and workers, environmental sustainability, and profitability for all parties in the chain of production. Finally, Fair Trade represents an opportunity to express your values with your purchase dollars. Many of the hemp items that you purchase represent the hard work of hundreds of thousands of people. Choosing products that are produced under Fair Trade standards is an easy way to make a positive impact on their lives.

Index of Articles Available at The Earth Friendly Network TOP

What companies is the Earth Friendly Network associated with? TOP

	EnviroTextiles has been the leader in hemp textile development, maufacturing, and importing since 1992 and has developed numerous 100%-hemp woven and knit fabrics and blends, including hemp/cotton, hemp/silk, and hemp/tencel (Hempcel ®). Envirotextiles has created a new labeling standard for eco-friendly, green, all-natural textiles. Look for the SBP label when shopping for truly earth friendly products.
	Hemp Basics develops quality hemp products, including fabrics, twine, yarn, rope and many finished products. They are committed to providing customers with quality hemp products at reasonable prices. By choosing to purchase a product made using hemp, you are voicing your opinion as an earth-friendly shopper and for that they support and thank you.
	Splaff Flopps started in a garage with a tire, a bike tube, and a shoe knife. The vision was to make a comfortable, long lasting, fairly priced sandal from all recycled materials. Today Splaff products include sandals, handbags, belts, mirrors, and a coffee table. They are all made with recycled race car tires and bicycle Inner tubes, regupol (a cushioning material made from used tires which have been chipped and pressed into mats), and hemp. They are hand-crafted and are produced in a 100% waste free, earth friendly process in which all left over materials are either re-used or recycled.
	Hemp Oil Canada Inc. - HOCI HOCI is determined to bring hemp food and body care products into the mainstream by promoting greater public awareness and media exposure to the exceptional, nutritious and healthy composition contained within the hemp seed. The proven nutritional benefits of hemp seed and oil products go far beyond providing just dietary supplementation. Rather these products can be used as "functional foods" offering health benefits to reverse the effects of degenerative disease and their related symptoms. HOCI is actively promoting the development of a sustainable industrial hemp processing industry in Manitoba and Canada by working closely with strategic partners, government agencies and producer associations. HOCI is "Kosher" certified (Western Kosher designation) and can offer "Certified Organic" (OCPP/Pro-Cert Organic Systems certification) production of hemp food products on a custom basis. We are proud members of the Manitoba Food Processors Association, the Manitoba Industrial Hemp Association and the Hemp Industries Association.
	Pan World Traders has been an eco-focused hemp products manufacturer in Transylvania, Romania, since 1990. They began with a couple of old sewing machines and worked with vintage fabric scraps to make a line of bags and hats. Pan World Traders has always produced products of beauty and quality. These have matured into the products that grace their line today: the elegant and sophisticated, the practical and sturdy, the casual and comfortable in a dozen different product categories. This principle guides all of their manufacturing decisions.
	Sage Creek Naturals is a family company committed to providing families with organic cotton baby clothes, organic cotton bedding and related products of the highest quality. Their priority is to offer a line of organic cotton clothing that is stylish, affordable, safe and of course, soft, soft, soft! As a family (like yours), Sage Creek Naturals shares your concern for: the health of our loved ones and of our fragile environment, the quality of life and the value of products and services.
	Hemp Essentials® manufactures a natural line of Earthware for the home, body & spirit with Nature's Finest Ingredients . They produce only environmentally friendly/cruelty free goods. Renewable resources are used throughout their entire manufacturing process. Their products are 100% Vegan - gentle to the earth and its inhabitants
	Natural American Home believes that what you buy effects your world, and your wallet. They carefully pick out their raw materials, from small family farms in the USA and Canada. Products are constructed of Hemp and organic cotton, and organic wool. Dyed items are dyed with low impact results, and they do not used bleached products, or petrol chemicals.
	A Happy Planet aims to improve the quality of life for all creatures, by offering sustainable, quality products which do not compromise labor, animals or the earth in their production, use, or disposal cycles . A Happy Planet works to spread the word of the personal, local and global benefits of using organic, natural and renewable fibers in place of conventional and synthetic fibers.
	The Full Moon Family from Mountains of the Moon has made it their mission to spread positive vibes through their original art, T-shirts, and environmentally conscious clothing. Mountains of the Moon offers hippie clothes, hemp clothes, eco-fashion, lot style shirts and hoodies,  organic cotton and hemp goods, & much more!  They are an independent artists-run business offering original hemp clothing, hippie clothes, hippie patchwork clothing, yoga clothing, boho clothing, hemp shirts, kids clothes, hemp yoga clothing, Buddha shirts, sustainable hemp products, hoodies, t-shirts, and more! You might find the Full Moon Family and their goods at festivals including Bonnaroo, Vegoose and many others; and in lots of shows including Grateful Dead, Phish, Widespread Panic, String Cheese Incident, Yonder Mountain String Band, and others.

"I've called,but no one answers...why?" TOP
As an internet store, the best way to reach us is: the internet. You are welcome to use our live support chat (located in the upper right corner of the page) or send an email to contact@earthfriendlygoods.com. If you feel your question can't be handled via the internet, feel free to call us (877) 447-1521. Due to the high volume of calls we receive, we may not be able to take your call. If we are unable to answer your call, please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible (48-72 hours is average return call time frame).

The Many Benefits of Hemp Fabric TOP
The Many Benefits of Hemp Fabric Why Hemp? Environmental and health- conscious consumers are concerned about the products they buy, but buyer beware, because labels can be misleading. For example, organic cotton does not mean chemical-free and environmentally- friendly does not necessarily mean chemical-free. Consumers aren't always told whether the garment has been chemically- altered at some stage of the process from, the harvesting to the final stages of fabric manufacturing. Although environmental and health conscious consumers have traditionally favored cotton fibres over synthetic clothing, cotton is one of the most environmentally unfriendly crops grown. Although organic cotton standards have helped to decrease the impact that cotton crops have on the environment, there is still a great need for improvement. hemp leaf against blue sky In contrast to organic cotton, hemp grows extremely fast, producing more fiber yield per acre than any other source. Hemp can produce 250% more fiber than cotton and 600% more fiber than flax using the same amount of land. The acreage needed to obtain equal yields of fiber places hemp at an advantage over other fibers. hemp leaves the soil in excellent condition for any succeeding crop, especially when weeds may otherwise prove troublesome. Where the ground permits, hemp's strong roots descend three feet deep or more, anchoring and protecting the soil from runoff and building and preserving topsoil and subsoil structures similar to those found in forests. Moreover, hemp does not exhaust the soil. hemp plants shed their leaves all through the growing season, adding rich organic matter to the topsoil and helping it retain moisture. Farmers have reported excellent hemp growth on land that has been cultivated steadily for nearly 100 years. As an alternative fabric, hemp provides all the warmth and softness of a natural textile but with a superior durability seldom found in other materials. hemp is extremely versatile and can be used for countless products such as clothing, accessories, shoes, furniture, and home furnishings. Clothing made from hemp incorporates all the beneficial qualities of an earth-friendly product and will likely last longer than clothing made of cotton and other fiber. The strong fibers make hemp clothing withstand harsh conditions, be it weather, work, or daily life . Blended with other fibers, hemp incorporates the desirable qualities of both textiles. The soft elasticity of cotton or the smooth texture of silk combined with the natural strength of hemp creates a whole new genre of fashion design. There is some controversy about the availability of certified organic hemp fabrics. To our knowledge none exist. Tthere is some question about cotton fabrics remaining ÏorganicÓ after sizing and other finishing processes. Unless a third party has certified that the fabric is "organic", the consumer is left with a promise from the manufacturer. So, in the meantime, look for the "Sustainable/Biodegradable Products" label and rest assured you are getting an environmentally safe product. Barbara Filippone of EnviroTexiles has developed this program to reassure consumers that hemp is healthy, even if it is not certified organic. For questions email: barbara@envirotextile.com HIA Summer News 2004

Even More Information About Hemp Fabric TOP
Imagine a crop that could be planted and harvested in approximately 90 -120 days depending on climate, without the expense and environmental impact of pesticides and fungicides, without the soil degradation of rotational crops, requiring less water than all major U.S. grown crops, and that could produce an oil to run our cars and paint our houses, and soothe our dry skin. Further, imagine a crop that would produce seeds that have no rival as an edible source of protein and essential fatty acids (omega 6/omega 3), and would help us reduce our cholesterol levels. Many of us now know that this crop exists. Some even know that this crop can be grown also for elegant paper, clothing, composite board, super-absorbent animal bedding, shampoo, mulch, insulation, and ice cream. But it is fiber, luscious fiber, that this crop is less known for and for which it seems to be least understood. For starters, hemp can't be grown for both fiber and seed during the same harvest. The rich fiber must be cultivated before it produces seed, usually in 90 days or less. A good crop will yield rich long bast fiber that has legendary strength and endurance; a fact not lost on generations long departed. One might contend that the British navy would not have dominated the seas for centuries without their hemp fiber sails or that Meriwether Lewis or William Clark might have inadvertently allowed their intrepid crew to drift aimlessly down the Missouri without their hemp fiber ropes to steel against the strong current. Today, however, hemp has taken on even greater importance as a fiber. As textile jobbers and mills struggle to differentiate their fabrics and their environmental stewardship from other ?green? textile companies, few have investigated the seed, crop, and agricultural aspects of their product. At a time when textile and carpet producers are turning headlong to corn as the new renewable fiber of the future despite its invasive and devastating growing practices, hemp remains the prom king that missed the dance. How many understand that soil erosion and nutrient run-off from over reliance on pesticides are consequences of dangerous monocrop farming practices? Do any recognize that water tables worldwide are falling at unsustainable rates due to the heavy toll of irrigation? Additionally, the recycling of polyester and nylon into fiber is not a long-term answer, either. Barbara Filippone, founder of Enviro Textiles, a successful developer and importer of Chinese hemp fabrics, suggests, ?Recycling is only a temporary solution for what we don't know how to dispose of, while a sustainable and biodegradable approach will save the health of our planet for future generations.? It is the perfect harmony with nature that makes hemp one of Earth's oldest crops dating back thousands of years to China . When a bounty crop can be grown with deep roots to strengthen the topsoil, be watered half as much as other crops due to its super absorption, and grow naturally without pesticides as a result of its weed-like performance shading out all other competing plants, why is it fettered by nearsighted policies? In a superpower industrial juggernaut like the United States why are our small farmers relying on subsidies, not products, to maintain their culture? Well, for one, small farmers don't make up much of the farming population. (Our 2 million farms in the U.S. represent 2 % of the population.) The main reason is the recent Farm Bill. At the current figure of 248 billion dollars, these farm conglomerates can rely on subsidies to supplement the artificial dollar value of corn, barley, oats, beans, wheat, etc. In our state, North Carolina , the subsidies for tobacco farmers highlight an even stranger scenario for farmers: subsidies for not growing their crop. As a result of the recent legislation against tobacco companies, North Carolina tobacco farmers are being compensated by means of the fine levied against those tobacco companies whether they grow anything or not. Capitalism has no roots in modern agriculture, to say the least! The primary reason why U.S. farmers can't grow a cash crop like hemp is obvious; it is illegal to grow hemp domestically. The ban was created in 1937 because of the government's indifference to the distinctions between hemp and its cousin, marijuana. Considered an illegal substance because of its THC, the psychoactive ingredient found in the cannabis species, hemp has been forever banished as a crop. Despite its miniscule THC percentage of less than 1% (marijuana has 15% or higher) hemp has not returned to American farms. Of course there was that time when the government needed a strong, absorbent fiber for blankets to keep our soldiers warm overseas in WWII. Since 1970, the enforcement of the ban has fallen on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. It is responsible for preventing hemp crops, and up until recently the ingestion of the seed. It is widely known throughout the DEA that hemp grown for fiber is harvested before the plant buds, yet, inconsistently, the ban continues. In a time when our need for organic renewable fibers is expanding, the single, most productive crop is ignored. Sadly, there is still another more alarming situation occurring in the former communist block nations that have historically produced the most hemp fiber in Europe . The natural processing of hemp fiber into textiles seems embedded in the brains of an aging workforce, and, thus, is in danger of being lost forever. Steve Logothetis, founder of Hemp Basics, is one of the largest importers of European hemp, and he is alarmed, ?the fiber can be handled by mills that traditionally have spun linen but we're going to lose shortly the generation with the hands-on experience, and that's going to be the problem. Just like a species can go extinct, so can know how.? The technology, as might be expected, is old world. Natural, non-invasive, and labor intensive, hemp is processed into fiber much like cotton was in the U.S. in the nineteenth century. Unlike cotton, however, hemp requires much less water, no pesticides, and is used as a break crop. Additionally, hemp is naturally UV resistant and in its natural color does not fade in sunlight. Yet it is the de-barking of the stalk that makes it so labor intensive. Mr. Logothetis estimates that the hemp stalks are ten times thicker than flax linen and as a result require several mechanical steps to eliminate the woody bark. ?These hemp processing mills are all turn-of-the-century plants and have received maybe one or two subsequent modernizations,? he indicates. The simplicity, the human aspect, and the benevolent nature of the crop make these fabrics being imported into the United States from Eastern Europe a natural, though forgotten old friend. On the other hand, one must turn to the origin of hemp fiber to truly understand its potential for the future. For over thousands of years Asian farmers have been processing hemp fiber at levels of competence unequaled around the globe. And in terms of production, China greatly outperforms all others. It is an essential thread in their culture. The Chinese have mastered the processing and weaving of hemp fiber, and are the leaders in hemp and blend textiles. Silk, cotton, flax, ramie, wool, as well as synthetics, are woven with hemp in varying percentages from Chinese mills. But until recently, the report on imported Chinese hemp fabrics was mixed. Barbara Filippone offers an explanation, ?the Chinese hemp mills before 2001 couldn't perform the export and had to rely on trading companies that were granted the VISAS. These trading companies made no distinction between quality, length of fiber, etc. and as a result of the ?hemp is like burlap' mentality, the supply of hemp fabrics was prone to inconsistencies. The same trading company representing the Chinese mills and acting as the knowledgeable source was also selling everything from hairbrushes to Barbie dolls.? In her decade of traveling to China and working with mills directly, Ms. Filippone has established quality standards for all of Enviro Textiles' hemp and blend textiles. ?I had to start with a qualified mill source that produces at the correct geographical latitude with the correct weather patterns for the finest product. We have a great track record,? she adds. The flow of Chinese fabric imports is quickening, and many are marveling at the material for the first time so it would seem that the Chinese hemp fabrics are perhaps not forgotten but yet to be discovered. In conclusion, hemp will remain idle but a short time. Mother Nature will not stand by in states of decomposition. Water shortages will initiate the demand for a less thirsty plant. Polluted marine environments will not function without a reduction in nutrient rich runoff from harmful agricultural practices. In the United States where we ban the growth of hemp as a fiber, we alternately reward producers of synthetic fabrics derived from fossil fuel. Environmental taxes are not levied against resource depletion, so petroleum-based products are artificially lower priced than renewables prompting an absurd economic condition. Regardless, as the demand from architects and designers for more natural and benign fabric options increases, the compelling story of hemp will be rewritten. Foreign hemp imports will challenge the current sustainable textile programs of every domestic fabric company, rendering the latter second best. And so, in time, nature will become reacquainted with its all but forgotten fiber friend. Author David Mahood is the principal of Olive Designs, a commercial manufacturer of seating and tables and a promoter of hemp textiles. This article was reprinted with permission 09/04.