If you’ve picked up a Coastal Sun product, you may have noticed our information-packed labels. Beyond the customary THC and terpene percentages, we delve into genetics, flavors, fragrances, and potential effects. Yet, among these crucial details, one stands out: where the cultivar is grown.
Many of our greenhouse and sun-grown cultivars are grown at our Santa Cruz County Farm, but we're privileged to collaborate with a network of partner farms across Northern California.
As a grassroots company, rather than focusing on building a large grow facility, we realized that a network of owner-owned and operated farms would further our mission. Additionally, it would help us offer customers a wide selection of cultivars that honor California's diverse terroir.
Our partnerships with fellow organic farmers ensure fresh products are available year-round. "In the Fields" is our blog series highlighting our diverse partners and their integral role in our mission.
The following is an interview with Zachary Allen, Co-Owner, Co-Operator, and CFO of Major Farm, a family-owned, vertically integrated farm. He works alongside Dylan McGinty, Co-Owner, Co-Operator, CEO, and breeder in Mendocino County. Together, they have over 25 years of experience growing cannabis.
1. How long have you been growing with cannabis?
I've been growing Cannabis for over 25 years, and I'm only 39. I started at a young age by helping my parents amend the soil and establish garden beds. By high school, I was a full participant in cultivation, helping my parents with everything from planting to harvesting and trimming.
2. What are you trying to accomplish with your cultivation practices? Why did you choose organic farming practices vs conventional?
Growing organic is a way of life.
It begins with how you were raised, your beliefs, and what you choose to put into your body. It evolves into how you view the world and the impact you want to make on the environment.
Like everything, there are pros and cons, but to us, the pros outweigh the cons. One of the main reasons we choose to grow organically is that the soils do not build up excess salts, and you do not have to replace your soil or media. It can be amended and reused, which we find extremely beneficial and economically viable.
3. How did you end up working with Coastal Sun?
In some ways, we have always worked with Coastal Sun – since Prop 215. We began by purchasing clones through the nursery and it was actually one of the first farms we got to tour. I had heard how they conducted business with other farm partners and knew I wanted to be a part of the family!
4. What's your favorite cultivar that you've grown for Coastal Sun?
Atomic Belts is my favorite cultivar I have grown for Coastal Sun so far. We also have a Vice City cultivar that we pheno-hunted ourselves. It is my favorite strain we are growing. We are always trying and exploring new genetics. For the first run, we grew over 30 strains and will have close to 50 for the fall harvest.
5. What are a couple of things you want the people enjoying your cannabis to know about your farm?
We are born and raised in Mendocino County. We are farmer-owned and operated and fully vertically integrated.
We are legacy cannabis.
6. Do you have a list of things you want to achieve with your cannabis farm?
We want to grow the brand and the brands of our partners. To survive, we need to be linked to the supply chain in as many ways as possible. We want to start hosting events (we just got approved for an event license). I want to be able to pass down this business to my kids and our future generations.
We would love to have a chain of dispensaries where we can sell our flower/brand and other people's products who we respect and conduct business in a professional manner. We also would love to be able to sell cannabis across state lines in the future and see how far we can scale our business, which started in our backyards with 25 plants!
7. Do you do anything to give back to your local community?
We try our best to give back to the community and support the kids. It is difficult to sponsor kids as a cannabis brand, but we love being a part of the community in which we live.
We have started sponsoring some local events in Ukiah with the Local Roots dispensary storefront. We try to participate in as many community events as possible. We love the idea of buying local and supporting local businesses. It is an integral part of the Major Farms ethos and this is best displayed by our practices in our storefront.
8. How have organic and regenerative agriculture methods made production more profitable and/or efficient?
In some areas, we gain; in others, it costs us more. We are pretty good about being efficient, so at the end of the day, it equals out.
9. Would you like to share any regenerative or sustainable practices with the community?
Invest in yourself and your own business. Never be afraid to fail, and never give up.
10. Do you have any farm pets?
We had a farm cat we acquired while building out the farm. It showed up in the early build-out stages and finally passed away this year. Hopefully, we can get another one soon.
11. Do you have any advice or first steps for any cannabis farmers out there thinking about switching to organic?
The best approach is to start with small steps and learn from as many people as possible. We have always believed in asking as many questions as possible, as we learned from many old-timers on the hill. Combine all that information with your beliefs to create “your own way of growing.”
The greatest thing about cannabis cultivation is there are so many different ways to do it, and they all work. You just have to figure out what works for you.
Thank you to Zack of Major Farm for this interview. Our Partner Farm Program is about more than expanding the organic cannabis farming community. It's also a strategic move that allows us to concentrate on brand growth and consumer education. These farms play a pivotal role in our journey and contribute to our vision of cultivating healthy cannabis.
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