Terra Carver, Executive Director of the Humboldt Country Growers’ Alliance, discusses how the changing seasons are affecting cannabis farmers and growers in Northern California. Unfortunately, California is dryer than usual right now, which has caused difficulty for farmers. Carver explains the three most important things that cover crops do and also gives some insight into crop rotation and regenerative farming: “A very important part of regenerative farming is not only just planting crops, but ensuring that you have some animals on that piece of land to do what they do to regenerate and re-introduce certain nutrients, and then also weed out certain weeds.” Carver then pivots to policy and notes that tax reform is the most important issue right now for farmers, for which there is currently broad support.
Seth Adler:
Terra Carver returns by video column. Welcome to cannabis economy. I'm your host Seth Adler. Download episodes on canneconomy.com, that's two N's and the word economy, or wherever you currently get your podcasts. First, a word from our supporter and then Terra Carver.
Seth Adler:
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Seth Adler:
Okay. It's soil to statute with Terra Carver, our maiden voyage. Terra, thank you so much for doing this.
Terra Carver:
Thank you Seth, for having me. I really appreciate the opportunity.
Seth Adler:
Last time we spoke, we came up with this idea where you could give us a little bit of a report of what was happening on the farm and a little bit of a report of what was happening at the capital. Weave that into one thing. So, if I'm a farmer and it's that moment when winter meets spring, what's happening as far as soil is concerned.
Terra Carver:
Okay. Oh, wow. Okay. Well, first I love the concept that we've come up with a soil to statute, because they're both seasonal in the context of farmers and the legislature. I represent farmers and work in the legislature. So rad, I can handle this. I got you. Okay. So what's happening in the soil right now ... and I don't think this is unique to cannabis, this is a unique to any farmer who's in Northern California who is planting vegetables or tending to their vines or looking to bring in a cannabis crop this year ... and the soil is waking up essentially.
Terra Carver:
Right now, the days are getting longer. The lights, the sun, and the light spectrum are out for a longer period of time. The temperature is starting to rise. Unfortunately, I have to report that the state of California is dry for this time of year, so right now we have officially hit, okay, we're a little bit concerned on, on how much precipitation we've had. Our rivers and our creeks are lower than we would like.
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