Our country and our state are in the midst of some very tough times. Racial unrest has come to every corner of this country, and it’s high time these systemic issues were addressed. Mass protests have resulted in rioting in some cities. In others, the protests have greatly disrupted daily life – as any effective protest should. 

Underneath all of that, the deadly specter of COVID-19 still haunts every trip outside of our homes. It’s still there, spreading just as fast and deadly as ever, even if it’s not the top story on your news feed. 

Here in Wyoming, the economic situation looks even more dire. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad seems all set to leave us high and dry, and that’s probably because the coal, oil and gas industries have finished their mission in extracting our natural resources. That’s a boom and bust game, and all indications right now are pointing at a colossal bust. That bust will be made worse because of the state’s collective failure to diversify its economy – which, like all things, is a lot easier to say than do. 

This forecasted economic downturn will affect every facet of life in this state – but I’m a believer in finding solutions, not pointing out issues. Lord knows that Governor Mark Gordon’s Facebook comment section is already full of people whining with no solutions. And I do realize there’s no one solution to diversifying our economy, but I have a pretty good idea of where we can start, and it could potentially turn Goshen County into an economic powerhouse. 

We need to start dancing in fields of cannabis. 

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the first hemp processor in Goshen County. I’ve covered the budding hemp market for a few years now, but it was my experience with GreenTree Ag and Jason Loeffler that made me really believe that Goshen County’s fortunes could someday turn around. 

For too long, we’ve watched what used to be cornerstone industries leave us high and dry. I’m talking about the way Western Sugar shifted its operation to Scottsbluff, Neb., and left a lot of local workers looking for answers. I’m talking about the way Wyoming Ethanol shuttered its facility as soon as the state legislature ended a state tax credit and crude oil got a little cheaper. I’m talking about the way BNSF is forcing families to leave the area if they want to keep their jobs – which are some of the best jobs in the area. Of course, all of these have damaged local businesses and drastically slowed funding for local governments.

But hemp – there’s something there. 

A little over a week after the first seeds were planted, the first cannabis plants were beginning to poke through the soil on a small plot near Huntley. As those leaves emerge from the irrigated soil, so does a potential new era of hope in Goshen County. 

For farmers, the input cost is lower than a lot of what they’re growing now and the infrastructure is already there, on the agricultural side at least. The market is still growing for the product, as it’s a totally new resource. That said, it’s too darn versatile to fail. If I had any money, I’d be looking for somewhere to throw it in the hemp industry. 

Of course, I can say that without betting my family farm or livelihood. The proposition is likely more daunting for the people who actually have to put up the money, but from what I saw last week, this is the best chance Goshen County has had in a long time. 

Loeffler is already building his case that hemp can grow here. Once it’s fully proven, it’s only a matter of time before major companies start throwing money at it. It’s a natural, renewable resource with minimal environmental impact. It has thousands of uses – it’s just a question of which company sees the value in what Goshen County can produce and if they want to set up shop here. 

It’s how we fix the roads. It’s how downtown continues to grow. It’s how the swimming pools can stay open. It’s how schools stay open. It’s how we can get a community center. It could even be how we get a Chick-Fil-A, if things go really well. 

I’ve heard a lot of support for the crop, although it’s almost always followed by ifs and buts. That’s fine for now because the industry is in its infancy. But as it grows, it’s got the potential to be an industry that supports us – so we need to support it.