We utilize cover cropping as a way to prevent erosion, control weed populations, and to increase beneficial microorganisms. Before working the soil this year we had cover crops of clover and rye. Here is our clover field were we later grew the majority of our hemp:

Our process starts off with knowing what's in the soil. We conduct soil tests to responsibly amend our soil to meet the nutritional needs of hemp. We use local organic compost and minerals to encourage beneficial microbes. 

We start our seedlings in McEnroe Organic Soil, an organic farm and farm supplier in the area. We use Fertil pots, which are a unique porous pot made out of mostly wood fiber to germinate and sow our seedlings into the field.

Our fields were transplanted during the month of June. We used a water wheel to place the transplants into the soil. This is what it looked like after it was done:

Underneath those rows of plastic is drip irrigation lines. We took great care in crafting a vegan nutrient regiment that could be fertigated (watered with fertilizer) directly into the roots of the plants.

With this system we irrigated our fields with Soy Aminos, Seaweed Extract, Fulvic Acid, beneficial microorganisms and a few other minor fertilizers and minerals. Since it was a rainy year, we were unable to utilize these fertilizers as much as we wanted to -- our plants were swimming as is! Regardless, we believe that our meticulous use of dry and water based amendments paved the way for our high cannabinoid contents in our flower, which is reflected in our COAs. 

We had many workers out in the fields pruning leaves to make way for better airflow throughout the plant's canopy. This is done to help lower bud sites develop and to aid in the removal of moisture within the plants canopy.

We have many people to thank for our season, and our harvest team is among the highest on our list. The harvest process is one of most crucial steps in ensuring high quality flower. We had people from all over NYS to help with the process.

Over the course of many weeks we took our ripe plants from the fields and into our buildings to dry. Through the help of machinery and the helpful eyes of our employees, we separated the leaves, stems, and flowers of the plant. The final steps were to send the flowers through the trimming machine as seen below:

Much of the sorting and hand manicuring of the flower is done at this stage to get it to look like the "bud" we know and love. With a bit of time to fully dry and cure, it is ready for you!

We store our products in Grove bags which regulates the humidity between 58-62%. This ensures aroma, potency and texture of the flower is consistent and of high grade.

 

And one of the fruits of our labor: