Feb 7, 2017 - Located in scenic Anderson Valley in Mendocino County, one of the cornerstones of Northern California cannabis and the famous Emerald Triangle, Giving Tree Farms is a specialist in small batch cultivation. Their mission is to get cannabis lovers to look beyond THC when choosing their strains. They use a combination of science and biodynamic farming to develop cannabis strains with complex profiles and potent results. All their strains are cared for using only OMRI-listed nutrients and conscientious water conservation methods. You can purchase Giving Tree Farms strains at any Natural Cannabis Company location. Look for Alien OG, Tahoe OG and Gorilla Glue!
WEBSITE: www.givingtreefarms.org
INSTAGRAM: giving.tree.farms
Q: How long have you been in the cannabis business? What got you started?
A: I spent a lot of time in Southern California, following in the footsteps of the three generations before me as a cinematographer. Then a decade ago, I realized that I wanted a simpler life. I moved north to Sonoma to focus on painting and while I was here, I fell in love with cultivating. I love the challenge of growing the perfect cannabis plant, the freedom of entrepreneurship, and exploring the science of this infinitely complex plant.
Q. What makes Giving Tree Farms unique?
A. For too long, cannabis consumption has been about finding the highest THC percentage in the flower. But we think that’s not the point we should be striving for. At Giving Tree Farms, we cultivate high-quality flowers with a variety of strains, so people can find the one that fits their mood, lifestyle and need. So, what’s our secret? Well, first, a well-rounded flower is important. But also, we like to focus on the less familiar cannabinoids, like CBN and CBC. That means the flowers we produce are versatile in effect and designed with the consumer in mind.
Q. What’s something you wish more people knew about your business or cannabis in general?
A. How much variety there is in the plants, and how much science is behind growing well! For example, myrcene is a large contributor to the indica effect, it increasing the blood brain barrier permeability to THC, therefore enhancing the effect of THC. Most people focus only on the actual THC potency, but we also think about how that THC can be absorbed and what compounds are needed to facilitate that function.
Q. If someone could try only one Giving Tree Farms strain, what should it be? Why?
A. In January, we cracked seeds and our spring crop will have some interesting crosses. But if we could bring one strain forward in the batch, check out the Strawberry Malawi X Harle Tsu. We will have 10 other varietals that will be produced in small batches. Some of the other distinct blends are Strawberry Malawi X Dogwalker, Gorilla Glue X Tangie, and Ghost Kush Pakastani X Animal Cookies.
Q. What’s your favorite part of the cannabis business?
A. The thing we like best about the cannabis business is the sense of community. While it’s a business, with all that entails, we also share knowledge about cultivation techniques, compliance, permitting, licensing, accounting, and just regular business practices. When the industry needs representation, we show up. It truly is a grassroots industry. It’s still prohibited at the federal level and there is a lot of misinformation and prejudice about the industry out there, but we are breaking down stereotypes one by one, and we’re doing it together. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Q. What else should we know?
A. I passionately believe in the power of cannabis to change lives. We have seen it help with chronic pain, as an alternative to addictive pharmaceutical drugs, insomnia, migraines, and overall wellbeing. And our mission is to focus on sustainable techniques to cultivate high-quality plants in a way that respects our limited resources.