Progress Report: 3.31.23
Grasshopper Family,
Welcome to the LAST day of March and the quarter! What?!
While the first day of spring has come, we are still "enjoying" snow at the Michigan farm. Rain too. But, as these elements give way to sunshine the team is in the field preparing for our 2023 season.
The pump house is getting an overhaul. Jason has been crushing it with reconfiguring the lines to help us with efficiencies. All of the drip lines are getting cleaned up before they resume their positions at each pot. One of the incredible aspects of our farming technique is we have no runoff water. The emitters provide the amount of nutrients and water that each plant uses. This is one aspect of our commitment to our commitment into regenerative farming.
Sometimes things happen that could easily occur and we move on. Maybe even overlooking or forgetting them. While a finish line is something to be aware of, the milestones along the journey MUST be celebrated. The journey is certainly the magic of the story....not the last page. Well, this week we are celebrating fuel tanks. Yes, you read that right. Fuel tanks. Until now, we have been transporting fuel cans to and from the gas station for our equipment and farm vehicles. Now, we have proper farm fuel tanks and we can fill on site.
I would like to use the fuel tanks as an example of our discipline and planning/budgeting efforts. We have been extremely careful in all costs. We spend when we need, not want. This is one awesome (and seemingly simple) example where we maintain a critical level of discipline and why we have found ourselves on firm operational and financial footing in a market with tons of fallout.
Take a look at our roads in the field! Jason has been working hard at getting them ready for the season.
We heard back from the CRA regarding our multi strain pre rolls. We can not deploy them as a cultivator. BUT, we have an incredible opportunity. The current regulations allow a processor (manufacturer) to deploy them in the exact format we proposed. So, we will work with two preferred processor partners to do just that. But, here is the real value of this opportunity. We were encouraged by the CRA to submit a rule change request. This will further solidify our reputation in Michigan by proposing a means for cultivators to sell their unmodified commoditized product in the same way a processor is already allowed to do. This is important because cultivators should not be disadvantaged in this respect. I believe the CRA agrees...because they already encouraged me to submit for the change. Build the company. Build the industry. Regulators. Operators. Consumers.
Together.
In the meantime, we are launching our non-cone pre rolls in our five pack tins next week! They look different. They feel different. The initial feedback has been incredible. We are EXCITED! The team is CRANKING on the production and packaging side.
Taking care of our amazing 2023 plants is going wonderfully. The team has been doing a great job of iterative efficiencies and testing methodologies that are newer to the market. We are always learning.
Adam toured a partner facility, Fluresh. They are among those who have a solid foundation in this market. We work with them on a number of things and we all have a very strong mutual respect for what we do and how we do it.
I was supposed to be in Iowa this week. I was supposed to visit Bud and Mary's and their parent company. I was not there because we had another opportunity in New Jersey...and WE GOT our next approval! This was a tremendous step! Keep in mind...this is a brand new market. The approval process is slow and heavily deliberated. And we are the FIRST in this municipality! Please celebrate this win.
Check out some pictures from Pam of the sunsets at the New Jersey farm and clearing the land! Also, did you know that our New Jersey farm has bees and butterflies? YUP! The bees are busy!
I know I say this is hard work. And it is. Sometimes my "always smiling" and "we've got this" attitude masks the hours and pain.
But, the hard work makes this so worthwhile.
I hope all of you enjoy your last day of March and trick the heck out of people tomorrow...on April Fools Day.
With so much gratitude and appreciation...
