EnviroTextiles LLC (ET), a woman- owned business, is credited with developing, importing and selling hemp fabric for scarves sold by the Obama 2012 Campaign. The scarves are a fundraising item for sale on http://www.BarackObama.com and were designed by one of the first lady’s personal designers, Monique Péan.
Barbara Filippone and daughter Summer Star Haeske of EnviroTextiles, provided the Obama Campaign and designer Monique Péan with the special fabric.The $95 eco scarf is made of 55% sustainable hemp and 45% certified organic cotton, a soft and lightweight flowing jersey knit. Monique Péan designed and organized the printing, and each scarf was cut and sewn in the USA!
Filippone, who arrived from China yesterday, was elated to hear the President’s election campaign website marketing the scarf. “This is wonderful news!” she proclaimed, “The President can now educate the special interest lobbyist of America’s original industrial hemp policy. If I could make American made hemp fabrics and bring back more U.S. manufacturing, I will have completed my life’s work!”
Every day, more and more Americans discover the benefits of hemp. This ever-expanding market includes more products to be made from a single plant then ever documented. But despite hemp’s growing popularity, an outdated and misguided federal policy – created in the 1930’s – currently prevents U.S. farmers from growing this nutritious, versatile, and eco-friendly crop. “It is time for federal policy on industrial hemp to reflect today’s reality and to enable a bountiful plant like hemp to be grown domestically for the benefit of families and farmers, the economy, and for the ecology of the planet. Hemp is not marijuana. It is a close cousin (variety of cannabis) but there are no psychoactive properties in the industrial versions; no different than the controversy around poppy seeds.” adds Filippone.