HEY, SO I MOVED TO A WEED FARM…

Yep, you read that right. And yes – I am safe and okay!

You know how they say, “When it rains, it pours…” Or, more specifically, have you ever felt as if once you loosen your grip on the expectations or monotonous routine of life, new changes and transformations begin to spark up?

Although I can’t pinpoint an exact moment the sky started pouring this rain, I’m super thankful for what this forecast presented –

At the beginning of this year, I enrolled in the Ganjier Cannabis Sommelier Certification Program. This certification program offers a series of online courses and lessons to educate in the history, science, botany, genetics, cultivation, processing, sales, and consumption of cannabis. Through the Ganjier course, I’m also training to accurately assess and grade cannabis flower and concentrates, to be a trusted and reliable guide for cannabis consumers and the industry as a whole.

Not only is this program jam-packed with information and insight on this ancient, historical plant – but it is taught by some of the most respected trailblazers and leaders of the cannabis community. A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Live Training part of the Ganjier program, located in the heart of the cannabis mecca – The Emerald Triangle (the largest cannabis-producing region in the state…and with good reason, the environment and climate here are BEAUTIFUL).

In a busy two days full of insight and cannabis conversation, I had the opportunity to meet these wonderful mentors and leaders of the program and encountered a community of some of the most friendly, passionate stoners you’ll ever encounter.

Between engaging class exercises and hazy smoke breaks, I got to learn about each student’s story behind cannabis and why they were here. One student was an Army veteran who has been using cannabis medicine for nearly a decade to treat PTSD and mental health.

“Burner Bob” is a leukemia patient whose doctors are continuously surprised he is their healthiest patient (his response, “Doc, I smoke a lot of weed.”

A woman from the Northeast, who had been fighting for years to separate her passionate knowledge of the plant and her nursing career, spoke about how cannabis has helped her through multiple surgeries and a lifetime more.

One local Humboldt County, second-generation cannabis farmer in attendance opened up about the struggles his farm and neighbors are facing since the state’s legalization. Between the increasing fees and taxes on the legal market, plus large corporations coming in to take over cultivation – smaller mom and pop farms are continuing to suffer and close up shop.

And Ricky Williams, Heisman Trophy winner and 11 season professional NFL player attended the live training class. In 2003, he was suspended for testing positive for marijuana. As a result, he was suspended from games and charged an incredibly pricey fine, which eventually drove his intent to retire from the sport and pursue other interests.

Then there was me, who made up 1 of the 3 women who attended the live training course, eager and inspired by the community surrounding me. I enrolled in this Ganjier certification program to further learn and immerse myself in the history, education, and service of cannabis.

I want to provide support, service, and expertise to cannabis consumers – novice and experienced alike! I hope to help navigate consumers in exploring the best possible method and product for their needs, whatever they may be. I believe there is a significant purpose of the cannabis plant for everyone, other than simply “getting high,” and through the right education and advocacy, we can elevate the excellence, consistency, and quality of cannabis in our communities.

Soooo, while I was planning my Ganjier live training trip, I came across a WWOOF listing for a cannabis farm in Mendocino County, North California. Located within the Emerald Triangle, this organic, regenerative farm was looking for an intern to help for the upcoming cultivation season (roughly beginning around April – October).

And here’s the kicker – the hosts of this farm were two of my mentors from the Ganjier course, Swami Chaitanya and Nikki Lastreto, owners of Swami Select. Obviously, I was immediately intrigued to learn more.

I reached out to introduce myself, and that’s when the rain continued to pour on these exciting new happenings – fast forward to one month later, I was packed up and booked a one-way flight to Northern California!

I’m coming up on my first month on the farm and it’s already been such an incredibly inspiring yet different experience. I’m living completely off the grid – we’re talking solar panels, gas refrigerators and appliances, compost toilets, collected rainwater, and fruits and vegetables grown from the neighbor next door and an hour-ish drive to the closest town. The 160-ish acre farm has so many hidden hiking gems and smoke spots overlooking the mountains, plus wildflowers, trees, and wildlife like I’ve never seen before! (Just yesterday, I saw a total of two jackrabbits, a turkey, hummingbirds, and a black bear.)

The cannabis plants here are currently seedlings, with the hope of transplanting into the ground within the next few weeks. Since I arrived, the weather has been more up and down than any Busch Gardens rollercoaster I’ve ridden. Rain, snow, hail, sleet, and peaks of sunshine in combination with temperatures fluctuating from 60°F – 23°F daily. (I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, climate change is actually happening, people!)

Along with the rest of the farm squad (a solid team of 6), we have been organizing and prepping for the season. We’ve made compost tea out of organic amendments and strategized how to keep these seedlings protected from this extremely bizarre spring weather. I’m also practicing the skills of bucking, trimming, and packaging cannabis (thanks to last season’s harvested flower).

However, I do want to be very clear about something. Even though the storm of these transformative opportunities and events took place rather quickly, this was not easy to do. I went from writing, designing, and working on my computer at my desk for hours on end each day, to moving to a little log cabin in the mountains and off the grid (while still juggling my freelance gigs).

Removing myself from my comfortable apartment, job routine, and lifestyle felt very terrifying and uncomfortable to do. And realistically, it still does at times. Of course I miss my family and friends like hell, and you’re damn sure I think about my pup Cleo every single day. But so far, I don’t feel any regret or difference about my choices. I have a strong feeling my time here on the farm will be an unforgettable one.

I’ve always been curious about adventure and immersing myself in different situations and experiences. I truly feel the best way to learn is through experience, even if that means taking that leap first for the net to appear.

Currently, I’m cramming for the final exam coming up at the end of the month. So far, this involves reviewing my notes, practicing for the customer service roleplay portion of the exam, and smoking a lot of different weed (which I gotta say, what’s out here has been some of the most flavorful weed I’ve ever tasted.) All of which have been extremely fun and possible, thanks to living on the farm.

Each month, I’m planning to write about my experiences on the farm and updates on the plant babies. Stay tuned for an abundance of cannabis plant facts, pictures from my wandering hikes, and unusual high thoughts! For now, I gotta go smoke and assess the beautifully creamy, citrus floral yet diesel fuel buds from the cultivar, Mendo Pakalolo.

Cheers! Xo