Regenerative: Not Just a Farming Practice, But A Lifestyle for Women of the Emerald Triangle

Chiah’s company, Arcanna, grows and sells top-shelf, terpy AF flower that lifts the spirit and the soul. I had the pleasure of smoking True Ryder, and I can tell you, it was perfect for riding the gentle rapids of the Trinity River. Chiah advocates for small farmers and fights against legislation that threatens their unique branding through her work with the Mendocino Generations and Cannabis Alliance. Her legacy lies in being a beacon for small, multigenerational family farms in rural Mendocino County.

Judi Nelson, Sol Spirit Farms

Judi Nelson has become well-known in the cannabis industry for her outspoken advocacy for sustainability in cannabis. Spending four nights at her glamping retreat showed me why she’s a voice for the future of the industry. Her mission to teach, not preach, about sustainability (and further regenerative practices) made me reevaluate my life choices, and I know I am not the only one who came away wanting less stuff and more connection to nature. On the farm, I learned what chickens will eat (most everything) and what the differences are in the term “compostable.” Cannabis grown on Judi and her husband Walter’s farm now comes in home-compostable packaging. This means it can be added to your own compost and turned into soil nutrients! Regenerative means self-sustaining; truly off-grid. And while there are some creature comforts at the retreat, being there makes you feel whole while reminding you that you’re a part of something larger. The retreats she hosts become a space for teaching regenerative living, complete with river floating, sound healing yoga, feminine massage, and farm-to-table dining. Judi’s strength lies in her commitment to preserving the small craft cannabis market, offering a holistic wellness experience to those seeking respite in nature. While at Sol Spirit Retreats, guests are treated to an endless supply of some of the world’s best cannabis. I enjoyed Sol Shine in the morning and Element pretty much all day long. Look for some really amazing strains from Sol Spirit Farms, grown with love by Walter and an awesome hippie named Happy who lives on the farm in the Skoolie that Walter and Judi once traveled the country in.

Amber Danson, Humboldt Nations

Amber Danson who lives in Humboldt County took a different path than that of a traditional grower who “went legal.” She spent more than a decade growing on her family farm building a business and brand that she smartly sold at the right time. Now, she’s helping to build a vertically integrated cannabis company. At Humboldt Nation, a retail store, she highlights local products, regenerative sun-grown flower, and equity brands, infusing education and community into every transaction. With her roots in regenerative farming practices and her day-to-day job in sales, she strives to bring regenerative legacy products to everyday consumers.