Township weed officers once sought out dangerous weeds. Some now noxious weeds were imported on purpose. Hemp has gone through cycles of use. Where ag will go, Mychal Wilmes says, is hard to guess.
Leafy spurge is a common noxious weed now, but it was brought to North America as an ornamental plant by settlers. The plants with small yellow flowers are common in southeast Minnesota’s ditches and wildlife areas. Years ago, I didn’t know about their vicious nature until heavy rain washed out pasture fencing.