Wendy Kornberg

Southern Humboldt County, California. 

Outdoor and Open-Air Light Deprivation Hoops

Favorite Strain/Variety: Apricot Sundae, Green Apricot Goddess, and Surfin’ Bird

Grows for personal use and commercial cannabis for the state of California.

FNM: When did you first connect with the plant?

WK: I’m a second-generation cultivator from Humboldt County (still farm with my mom) so I feel like I’ve been blessed to always be connected with this incredible plant. But really in college, studying chemistry and environmental science, was when I knew for certain that there was no better path for me than the one that blended my always-hobby of growing plants with the ever-fascinating complexity of the chemical makeup of cannabis and what that could mean for the future of our human-plant relationships. 

FNM: What do you consider your specialty?

WK: Cultivation in all aspects is something I’m extremely well versed at, but my specialty and personal passion is consulting with new or existing cultivators that want to reach into truly sustainable and regenerative methods. I love watching the growing process as pieces click into place and people see that there are ways to cultivate that produces superior product at a much more cost-effective price point, and they get to truly feel good about what they do. Every step toward regenerative practices is a good step to take, and anything that achieves “beyond organic” is an achievement to be celebrated. 

FNM: What is the most important part of what you do?

WK: I prove out my regenerative methods on my farm and make sure that I am producing incredibly high-quality cannabis at a low cost, as well as making sure that we are caring for and improving the land we are stewards of. The other part is educating the consumers and public about the importance of where and how your cannabis is grown. 

FNM: Why do you grow Cannabis?

WK: I just simply love everything about this plant; the ability it has to help people with so many problems, the genetics that are so complex, the far-reaching implications for human health, and quite simply the smells, sights, and feelings she has. 

FNM: What are your plans for the future?

WK: We plan to launch our topical line in Oklahoma this year, licensing agreements for our pain salve and anti-aging line are in the pipeline, branded flower on the shelves of California, and next year we begin our Budtender trainings based on both my sales and hospitality background and the importance of understanding how to quantify quality, as based on the Ganjier program through Greenflower Media, of which I am blessed to be a council member, instructor, and exam administrator. 

Angelene Jester 

Georgia

Outdoor 

Favorite Strain/Variety: Painted Lady 

Grows for personal use

Fat Nugs Magazine: When did you first connect with the plant?

Angelene Jester: The first time I connected and started learning about the plant and how to get my hands dirty was 10 years ago.

FNM: What do you consider your specialty?

AJ: Being hands-on and putting in those long hours to get it right, while also being open enough to learn from this plant everyday so I can continue to discover what varieties to grow that will help best with pain and inflammation. 

FNM: What is the most important part of what you do?

AJ: The most important part of what I do is to not only heal my own body, mind, and soul, but to be able to learn to teach others how to heal themselves by using one of Mother Nature’s most powerful medicines, cannabis. 

FNM: Why do you grow cannabis?

AJ: My soul needs hands-on action with soil and cannabis. A call from a higher being sometimes sends us in the direction that not only is best for us, but for others as well.  I have been living with spinal pain from an accident I experienced at a young age, and, after learning how to heal myself, I have been called to pay it forward and help others.

FNM: What are your plans for the future?

AJ: While patiently waiting for the legal end of things to go through in Georgia, we continue to develop more products with other cannabinoids to help people keep their bodies balanced. For the future, we hope to grow our business to offer more healing products, and also teach others how to grow their own medicine. Mother Nature provides indeed, and I am blessed in so many ways to help contribute to the healing of the entire planet.

Sue Carlton

Central Valley, California. 

Sustainable and Regenerative Sun Grown with Korean Natural Farming Techniques

Favorite Strain/Variety: Frida (her own)

Grows for personal use, over 200 retailers, and has a direct-to-consumer model through her website https://www.rancherafamilia.com  

Fat Nugs Magazine: When did you first connect with the plant?

Sue Carlton: My journey with working in the cannabis field started a decade ago through medical farms in Northern California and Oregon circa 2013. I grew up on the east coast and dreamed of working with the plant, so I moved out west when I was 19 years old to manifest my life and farm as it is today. I started my farm five years ago in Oregon while working on my Master of Science in Public Health Administration. Three years ago, I relocated my small farm to Central Valley, California, to be with the love of my life, better growing conditions, and business expansion.

FNM: What do you consider your specialty?

SC: Cultivating in tandem with the land, people, and animals through sustainable and regenerative techniques. As a medical patient who uses CBD as my own hormonal regulator, it was super important for me to set the bar for smokable hemp flower to meet the medical standard, complete with full-panel COAs free of pesticides, metals, and toxins.  

FNM: What is the most important part of what you do?

SC: As a Latina, it is big for me to represent and advocate for my community and the BIPOC communities, specifically by uplifting, collaborating, and hiring minorities. It is my favorite thing to hear that I inspire Black and Brown women to go after their passions after seeing what I do. That is what makes me feel like I know my purpose is bigger than just growing. It's creating a safe, welcoming space to blossom into your own nirvana.

FNM: Why do you grow Cannabis?

SC: It’s about producing and creating life. As someone who suffers from chronic PCOS and endometriosis, to be able to make babies (seeds) grounds me in to loving myself and my role as a steward of the land. I would say it’s how I express my femininity to the fullest, other than modeling in the garden and rocking acrylics and red lipstick 365 days a year on the farm.

FNM: What are your plans for the future?

SC: My dreams for the future continue to build. I have a manifestation, aka dream mood board, in my office...some of those things include expanding the farm with a 30x100 greenhouse for year-round seed production, being on the cover of Vogue, winning the Emerald Cup this year, and continuing to practice kindness, understanding, and support for all.

Erica Galvan

Desert Hot Springs, California

Sealed mixed light green house with climate control

Favorite Strain/Variety: Garlic Breath, Green Crack, and Fire OG

Grows for personal use and an award-winning commercial cultivation team 

FNM: When did you first connect with the plant?

EG: I’ve been growing cannabis for about five years, but that’s not the only thing I grow. I

love growing all kinds of crops and other varieties of plants as well. Plants are my life and passion, so I’ve dedicated my time to Mother Nature. I first connected with cannabis in high school. As a student with focus and anxiety issues, along with a Central Auditory Processing disorder, I decided to become an advocate for my own health, instead of taking all kinds of prescription medications. 

FNM: What do you consider your specialty?

EG: Learning, I love growing cannabis with people who have more experience than I do. It gives me the chance to soak up new things, different ways to grow, and even teach others.

FNM: What is the most important part of what you do?

EG: Making sure the plants are alive and healthy is the most important part. Pruning moms to maintain quality cuts for continuous production, inventory plants in our Mom & Veg. rooms, keep a good

eye on spotting pest and fungal issues and keeping everything clean! A clean grow is a very happy grow.

FNM: What are your plans for the future?

EG: I decided to increase my knowledge in plant science by putting myself through school. I’m in the process of getting my Plant Science degree, and eventually a Mycology degree. I’m also looking for the opportunity to join a medical grow with a focus on helping people with disabilities.