The agriculture industry is evolving more rapidly than ever. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. farm production nearly tripled between 1948 and 2017. With that kind ..read more

Cannabis plants thrive in a diverse ecosystem teeming with beneficial microorganisms and organic matter. With enhanced nutrient availability, improved soil structure, and natural pest control, living soil promotes sustainable growing ..read more

The pursuit of perfection is a noble endeavor for the professional cannabis cultivator. But no matter how many high-quality pounds are produced per acre, facility, room, square foot, watt, or any other measure, the realities of a competitive marketplace with razor-thin margins always demand more. Whether motivated by a genuine love for the plant or basic economics, the best cultivators always look for worthwhile ways to optimize new and existing grows. We spoke with a handful of industry professionals who successfully mix cutting-edge techniques with tried and true methods to improve plant vit ..read more

The cannabis marketplace is becoming increasingly crowded. In the absence of many traditional marketing channels, brands must think outside the box to appeal to their target audiences and win customer loyalty. Proprietary, in-house cannabis genetics are one such strategy. It’s a high-risk, high-reward undertaking — pheno hunting, betting big on a plant with potential by bringing it to production, and marketing the new strain to the masses all take time and money — but a new strain catching fire can change a brand’s trajectory forever. “I didn’t realize how important it was at first to have my ..read more

The Colorado Plateau, with its Grand Circle of national parks, is one of the most spectacular and diverse geographical regions in the United States. The plateau stretches across the Four Corners region of the Southwest where Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona meet. Arizona’s White Mountains are part of the region, which includes high-desert mesas, lakes, and mountains that soar up to 11,421 feet. Skiers, hunters, hikers, and nature lovers visit year-round to recreate in the hot summers and mild winters.  Beyond its appeal to tourists, the area’s semi-arid climate, low precipitation ..read more

No-till farming incorporates principles from biology, botany, horticulture, organic farming, soil science, and traditional agriculture. This eco-friendly approach reduces greenhouse gas emissions and waste generation while providing crops with a natural growing environment. With no plowing required, farms save on labor and equipment costs associated with tillage. Cultivators also save on nutrients and water with more organic matter and microorganisms left in the soil. But more importantly for some growers, enhanced biodiversity in the soil can lead to a more balanced ecosystem able to produce ..read more

Like bonsai techniques, low-stress training (LST) involves bending the apical main stem and branches to direct their shape. This training technique ultimately allows cultivators to expose different parts of the plant to direct light and airflow, naturally encouraging the production of additional large colas. What is low-stress training? Low-stress training is any method of plant training that doesn’t overly stress a plant. For example, removing a few wilting leaves would be considered a low-stress activity, while incorrectly trimming fan leaves by removing far too much healthy plant material w ..read more

The cannabis plant has existed on this planet for thousands of years. However, due to criminalization in the United States, research into agricultural best practices has remained limited. Historically, novice marijuana farmers mainly relied on word-of-mouth to learn how their plants grow best. The underground nature of cannabis cultivation has allowed many myths to permeate the culture. And while there is some truth to certain old wives’ tales, like harvesting at night when the temperatures are cooler to protect volatile terpenes, many of the surviving fables are far from accepted fact in 2024 ..read more

When it comes to post-harvest management, the difference between water activity and moisture content might appear to be a trivial matter. But this seemingly subtle difference can have significant implications for growers, impacting everything from product quality to profitability. Current post-harvest techniques mainly rely on moisture content alone—and that’s a mistake. Understanding water activity is crucial for maximizing yield, minimizing waste, and ensuring product safety. Water activity vs moisture content Water activity solely measures the energy status of water in a substance. Represen ..read more

The cannabis marketplace is becoming increasingly crowded. In the absence of many traditional marketing channels, brands must think outside the box to appeal to their target audience and build customer loyalty. Proprietary, in-house genetics are one such strategy. It’s a high-risk, high-reward situation—pheno hunting, betting big on a plant with potential by bringing it to production, and marketing the new strain to the masses all take time and money. “I didn’t realize how important it was at first to have my own strains on the market but quickly saw it was a game-changer,” said Jason Gellman ..read more