In Rotation: Crocket Family Farm

You can read every harvest SOP in the world, but the real knowledge is still passed directly from one grower to another. We joined Sue and Brian Crockett, the Ranchera Familia team, the Sisters of the Valley, the OG Mr. Crockett himself, and roughly 30 guests for a hands-on harvest workshop at the Crockett family farm. Attendees moved from the dry barn into the field, where they learned how to identify harvest-ready plants and cut and handle them properly. From there, we covered transporting and hanging the material, evaluating the drying process, and preparing everything for curing and processing.

Most of the guests had gardens of their own, so the questions quickly got specific. We helped lead teams through each stage, shared the practices we use to protect quality after harvest, and later opened the floor for a Q&A. Genetics and cultivar selection led the conversation, followed by disucssion on cultivation, pest and disease management, sustainable practices, careers in cannabis, and the realities of California’s regulated market.

Being welcomed onto the Crockett family farm was an honor we will not forget. The day was bigger than a workshop. It was a chance to share what we have learned, listen to people with different experiences, and take part in the kind of knowledge exchange that keeps this craft moving forward.