In Search of the Perfect Strain: Top Cultivator in California’s “Wine Country” of Weed Shares Generational Wisdom Behind One Family’s Decades-Long Pursuit of the Perfect Toke
Committed to purity and sustainability, Autumn Brands’ Head Grower talks sixth-generation Dutch farming techniques and the challenges of spearheading a “no-spray” operation
LOS ANGELES, California – (October 17th, 2019): Backed by decades of hard-won sustainable farming expertise, 50% woman-owned Autumn Brands stands out as a sixth-generation, family-run operation with a health-centered holistic focus and refreshingly artisanal approach. Running a large-scale cannabis operation presents a variety of challenges for any commercial grower. Every aspect of cultivation requires strategic precision, from selecting the hardiest strains to keeping up with increasing demand for product. In a notoriously competitive market, many sellers rely on harsh chemicals and pesticides to speed the growth process and ensure a strong final product. Under the watchful eye of Head Grower Johnny Brand, Autumn Brands far surpasses federal and state regulatory standards, offering powerfully potent strains of clean, pesticide-free cannabis from a name customers trust for quality and consistency.
“As no-spray cannabis farmers, we have few of the tools traditional growers use to battle things like mildew and mold,” explains Johnny Brand of Autumn Brands’ rigorous, hands-on approach. Once he establishes that a particular strain is not hypersensitive to the ravages of moisture, he tests 10 plants and observes their unique growth patterns through three distinct stages: first, he notes how easily clones take root and how quickly they grow. Next, Brand looks for plants that swell quickly, producing strong trichomes (the sticky resin glands responsible for their THC, CBD, and other cannabinoid content) and terpenes (which give each strain its unique flavor and aroma). Finally, post-harvest, the plants are dried, hand-trimmed, and lab-tested to verify THC and CBD levels, as well as other beneficial cannabinoids.
“The full process takes around 6 months, and I’m constantly searching for new strains to test and grow,” says Brand. Fortunately, several family-owned greenhouses give the company a unique edge: the freedom to grow and test product year-round in conjunction with the weather. “Indoor grows can operate year-round, regardless of the weather. Outdoor grows can only cultivate in warmer seasons,” he explains. “We’ve grown in the same greenhouses for more than 27 years, as hard-won knowledge from my grandpa and my dad passed down to me. My favorite part of our approach is the ability to work with the seasons; some plants change color and growth speed depending on the weather - which makes the testing process especially challenging - but it’s also what keeps me engaged in the process.”
Autumn Brands brings an uncompromising work ethic, informed by generations of family farming, to the task of producing hand-selected, sun-grown buds - each hang-dried, hand-trimmed, and cured to preserve maximum potency and full healing benefits. Overseeing every stage of their no-spray growth process, Johnny Brand and his expert team deliver sustainably sourced, farm-to-consumer cannabis to a blossoming health and wellness market. Visit www.AutumnBrands.com to learn more and discover their full selection of premium flower, pre-rolls, and pre-filled cartridges. Follow on Instagram @AutumnBrands for the latest product releases and updates.
About Autumn Brands:
Autumn Brands is a licensed California cannabis cultivator dedicated to the synergy of health and wellness. The Autumn Brands’ family farm started in Holland more than a century ago, and today, sixth-generation farmers apply the same expertise garnered in growing the world’s finest tulips to producing pure and potent strains of cannabis in sunny, coastal Santa Barbara County. Autumn Brands is proud to be 50 percent woman-owned, free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. For more information, visit www.autumnbrands.com or email leighanne@anderson-pr.com.
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