CannaCribs Tour of Earth's Healing - Cannabis Cultivation

Jul 18, 2024

CannaCribs Tour of Earth's Healing - Cannabis Cultivation

Introduction

  • Presenter: Nate from GrowersHouse.com
  • Location: Tucson, Arizona
  • Company: Earth's Healing
  • Focus: Cannabis cultivation in a mixed-light greenhouse facility
  • Key Figures: Vicki Poi Cedra (CEO), Mil Sadowski (Director of Cultivation), Dr. Rex (University of Arizona)
  • Themes: Cultivation techniques, business operations, family involvement, innovation in cannabis growing

Overview of Earth's Healing

  • Founded By: Vicki Poi Cedra
  • **Leadership: **Vicki's daughter (future CEO) and son (extract artist)
  • Employment: Approx. 215 employees
  • Facilities: Analytical lab onsite, propagation room, veg room, flowering bay, fertigation space
  • Challenges: Initial resistance due to cannabis taboo, family concerns
  • Location-specific Advantages: Strong response to sunlight, fewer cultivation lags

Cultivation Techniques

  • **Propagation Room: **Managed by Hosea
    • Functions on an 8-day cycle
    • Uses LED lighting (Luminar 18-watt) and a weight-based watering system
  • Veg Room: Managed by George, focuses on crop steering
    • EC Level: 2.9 throughout the house
    • Irrigation based on dryback methodology
  • Fertigation: Nutrient hot tub (Nutrol)
    • Labor savings through automation
    • Usage of RO water in fertigation

Mixed-Light Greenhouse Methods

  • **Advantages Over Indoor Growing: **Less lag time due to sunlight
  • Climate: Significantly different yields based on season (30-40% difference)
  • Supplemental Lighting: California Lightworks MegaDrive systems used for additional lighting during low-light months
  • Management Styles: Adaptation to environmental conditions, no topping plants

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

  • **Methods: **Proactive approach, use of biocontrol agents (BCAs) and beneficial insects after a certain growth stage
    • Armory certified sprays (organic)
    • Cultural controls: scrubs, Tyvec suits, foot baths, sticky mats
    • Subscriptions for predatory insects available through growershouse.com

Nutrient Management

  • Nutrol: Semi-automated, labor-efficient nutrient mixing
  • RH Anderson Injector Systems: Redundant pH probes and EC monitoring
    • Highly reliable and essential for operation without batch tanks

Facility Design

  • Greenhouse Manufacturer: Agrotech
    • Smart greenhouse features: Automated cooling, heating, shading
    • Polycarbonate greenhouse for heat and light management
    • Purpose-built for Tucson’s climate
    • Collaboration for customization based on location-specific needs

Product and Strain Management

  • Strain Selection: Based on market demand and greenhouse compatibility
  • Favorite Strains: White Rainbows and Cleo
  • Mother Plants: 1,500 moms in production and ongoing rotation
  • Product Variety: Solventless (rosin, fresh press, cold cure) and solvent-based (BHO, live resin carts, distillate carts)

Research and Development

  • **Lab Facilities: **Onsite analytical lab managed by Jeremy
    • Research on cannabinoid profiles, terpene profiles, solventless vs. solvent-based extractions
    • Inhouse quality control and assurance
    • Upcoming publications and white papers

Collaboration with University

  • **Relationship with University of Arizona: **Internship programs and advanced research
  • Dr. Rex: Focus on aquaponics and sustainable practices
  • Research: Hemp, aquaponics, cannabinoid levels, and internodal site analysis

Business and Cultural Insights

  • Ownership: Kept local, family-run, resisted acquisition offers
  • Cultural Involvement: Deep local roots, community investment, shift in family perspective on cannabis
  • Challenges: Fighting stigma, handling family resistance, and overcoming initial business hurdles

Equipment and Techniques Highlighted

  • Lights: LEDs (Luminar, California Lightworks)
  • Nutrient Mixing: Nutrol (automated mixing)
  • IPM: Armory certified sprays, subscription services for beneficial insects
  • Environmental Controls: RH Anderson systems, foggers for BPD management
  • Greenhouse Infrastructure: Agrotech’s customizable solutions

Conclusion

  • Key Takeaways: Transition from indoor to mixed-light production showed significant operational benefits
  • Innovation Hub: Focus on research and integrating new techniques
  • Future Outlook: Continued emphasis on family involvement, community impact, and cutting-edge cultivation practices

Resources