by Benjamin Bourque
It’s ironic that producing a plant as beneficial as cannabis can strain natural resources more than other crops. Fortunately, legalization is paving the way for more environmentally responsible production and cultivation, by opening the door for more scientific research and making it possible for cannabis companies to openly explore, test and share best practices.
From advances in automation technology to time-tested soil management methods, cannabis cultivators and processors now have a range of powerful tools at our fingertips—and more powerful reasons to adopt these solutions than meets the eye.
The ‘triple bottom line’ ideals you hear about in economics are well within reach for today’s forward-looking cannabis companies. By adopting holistic organic farming methods, embracing new technology, and considering carbon footprint in larger strategy, cannabis leaders can achieve people, planet and profit goals in one fell swoop.
Four sustainable cannabis cultivation principles for people, profit and planet
Whether specializing in natural, plant-based medicines or adult recreational products—or both—cannabis companies have an opportunity to mimic the plant that can do so much good. Enhance your global impact as well as local customer satisfaction with these four sustainability principles:
In a nutshell, the richer the soil, the richer the flavor and aroma profiles of the terpenes: Organic producers yield double the terpene content of conventionally grown farms. They also deepen the distinction between strains, delivering rich flavor that persists even at the bottom of the bowl.
How so? One way is to start with peat moss and cocoa to support drainage and aeration, then blend with organic amenities like earthworm compost, humus, minerals, bird and bat guanos, and azamite. This rich composition gives soil a strong yet permeable infrastructure, and avoids waterlogging. Atop that, we periodically apply a fertilizer blend made with malted sugar beets, cold-pressed seaweed and refined kelp. We also apply aloe vera, soy protein, and other nutrient dense applications like compost tea as needed.
By bringing together quality ingredients, in the right quantities and at the right time, we create a healthy rhizosphere around the roots, facilitating healthy nutrient and microbial activity and uptake through the stem and leaves, which ultimately contributes to more diverse terpene composition.
Additionally, solar array reduces overall energy use; automated packaging equipment reduces product waste and improves quality; and sterilization technology guards against powdery mildew, driving quality while reducing any need for pesticides or fungicides.
Think globally, support communities locally
Cannabis companies have the power to provide invaluable benefits to our communities. With sustainable practices like those outlined above, we can also help combat the effects of climate change by keeping more carbon in the soil, reducing energy emissions, and conserving water resources.
Let’s leverage the best environmental practices—in a way that also better supports the communities and companies we serve—and together we’ll shape a triple bottom line success story that benefits all.
Ben Bourque came to Green Meadows Farm from Denver, where he built his own organic cannabis business and brand, New Amsterdam Organics. An LSU-trained botany scientist, Ben has vast knowledge of horticulture and the latest greenhouse and extraction technologies. He leads Green Meadows’ commitment to producing the purest organic cannabis and cannabis products available. He can be reached at [email protected]
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