2025 California Cannabis Harvest Report: Mendocino County
2025 Mendocino County Cannabis Harvest Recap
This is part 4/8 of the 2025 California Cannabis Harvest Report by Budist. Scroll to the bottom of this page for links to the other sections.
Mendocino County is the most easily accessible part of the Emerald Triangle for most Californians living further south. It can be entered from the south via the 1 or the 101, and from the east via the 20, less often the 175, and even less often via the 162. Among other reasons including its coastal influence, Mendocino county’s more southern latitude leads to bigger plants on average than in Humboldt and Trinity counties.
The DCC reports that in 2025, ~160 licensed outdoor cultivators in Mendocino County harvested 2.83 million wet pounds across 331,790 plants [1]. In 2025, Mendocino County grew ~89% more weight than the previous year, accounting for ~9.4% of the state’s total 2025 outdoor harvest as compared to ~7.5% in 2024. The full term harvests showcased by the farmers below are but a small fraction of Mendocino County’s total harvest and don’t fully cover the map of licensed growing regions within Mendocino. Even so, their shared wisdom represents their county well and are a great showing of the cannabis farms and farmers of Mendocino County.
According to NOAA [2], Mendocino County’s 2025 growing season was cooler than in 2024 - with a cooler July but a hotter August. In 2025, the harvest months of September and October saw a reported ~4.5” of rain fall on average across Mendocino County, more than quadruple 2024’s amounts.
Historically, Mendocino County has been home to myriad gatherings ranging from ongoing annual get togethers like Days Between at Black Oak Ranch to bygone events like the Sierra Nevada Music Festival.
Current events in Mendocino County include the Mendo Cup [3], a cannabis cup specifically for 100% sungrown and moongrown cannabis from licensed outdoor cultivators in the county. There are even summer cannabis farmer’s markets once a month towards the coast in Philo. Mendocino’s 2025 homegrow harvest was also celebrated in Ukiah by a Homegrower’s Cup in early 2026 [4]. As the closest part of the Emerald Triangle to a major hub of airports, Mendocino County has also hosted events such as Jerry’s Seed Swap, The Culture Cup and Ganja Fight Club. Suffice to say, Mendocino is the gateway to the Emerald Triangle for so many people and this county’s farmers continue a long legacy.
Sunbright Gardens
Farm Information
Website: https://sunbrightgardens.com/
Instagram: @sunbrightgardens
Latitude: ~39.900 N
Elevation: ~1,800–2,000'
Farm Region/Watershed: Covelo/Mina/North Fork of the Eel River
Certifications: SUN + EARTH
Head Cultivator: Gus Stout
Cultivated: 2,500 sq ft
Light dep: No
Geographic features: Banana belt micro climate which prevents freezing on cool nights and creates cooler temps in hotter summer months. No inversion fog compared to surrounding valleys. Elevation 1,800-2,000 ft. Loam soil composition. Bio-intensive gardening practices boost health, vitality and water retention.
Genetics Information
Total # of cultivars: 12
Genetics sources: Seeds from breeders
Top Cultivars: Gelpaya Dreams and Slurricane Blush
Cultivation Practices
Plant inputs: Compost, local manure, hay.
Pest management: Companion planting to attract beneficial insects.
Planting tech: No till garden. Compost with native weeds and plant materials. Cover crops of clover and vetch in fall/winter. Veggies, herbs and flowers for beneficial pollinators.
Philosophy: Hands-off approach. We let nature do most of the work. We do not support large scale industrial agriculture. All energy comes directly from the sun.
Harvest Information
2025 Final Planting Date: 5/26/2025
2025 Harvest Dates: 9/30/2025 - 10/26/2025
Earliest Cultivars: Velvet Cherries
Latest Cultivar: Blue Hawaii
Atypical conditions: Moderate heat with dry conditions and cool nights. No fires threatened the garden in 2025.
Notable highlights/challenges: The 2025 harvest season brought rain then hot temperatures, creating perfect conditions for mold on some cultivars.
Takeaway: 2025 was a perfect growing and harvesting season.
Sun Roots Farm
Farm Information
Website: https://www.sunrootsfarm.com/
Instagram: @sunrootsfarm
Latitude: ~39.800 N
Elevation: ~1,500’
Farm Region/Watershed: Covelo, Round Valley, Eel River Watershed
Certifications: DEM Pure
Head Cultivator: Forrest Gauder
Cultivated: 5000 sqft
Light dep: yes
Geographic features: Located in Round Valley Covelo, of Mendocino County about 3.5 hours north of San Francisco. The land is home to the Round Valley Indian Tribes and is surrounded by the higher mountain ranges of the Yolla Bolly–Middle Eel Wilderness. The Eel River is the local watershed that runs 28 miles along Route 162 upon arriving to this remote and secluded valley. The farm sits at 1,400 ft elevation and is 2 hours east from the California coastline. The valley floor is an alluvial floodplain with full sun, rich, loamy soil, and sits over a gravel bed aquifer with Tule fog from late fall to spring. Nature here provides beautiful spring weather with snowcapped mountains, hot and dry summer days, and cool nights that the plants absolutely thrive in.
Genetics Information
Total # of cultivars: 14
Genetics sources: We do our own breeding for all of our seeds, and we source some clones from Haze Valley Nursery in Santa Cruz
Top Cultivars: Hard to not love them all, but the Black Skunk did great as a hash maker and for dried flower, the Citrine Rosé, Velvet Cake, Magu's Fuel, Skunk Citrine and Mule Fuel all came out great.
Cultivation Practices
Plant inputs: From the farm - Organic herbal/leaf biomass, alpaca/chicken manure, compost/herbal teas, previous season stalk/leaf compost. Off farm - locally sourced hay, horse manure, and leaf compost, organic seedling potting soil
Pest management: Beneficial pollination plants surrounding plants, organic farm made and purchased sprays that include ingredients such as farm made essential oils, and strong volatile plant material such as California bay, eucalyptus, rosemary, spearmint, etc.
Planting tech: no-till, raised beds in the soil, heavy layering sheet mulch, hügelkultur, mushroom inoculation, woodchips, poly culture with fruit, food, flowers and other medicinal herbs, native soil, only farm and locally sourced raw inputs, no heavy extractive soil inputs or materials used, minimal plastic usage other than reused nursery pots and reused netting, handmade wood tags, biodegradable inputs, recycled metal caging, composting, drip irrigation and "rain wobbler" water management, homemade seeds and clones made in soil with our own honey and willow bark as rooting hormone.
Philosophy: At Sun Roots Farm, we believe in letting nature take its course. We are honored to be stewards of this land, striving to minimize our disruption as we recognize the impact of every action we take.
We cultivate our flowers for the people, the planet, and the ancestral wisdom inherent in this sacred plant. To us, this is more than just a product; it is a message for our Earth and a commitment to the healing we are planting.
Harvest Information
2025 Final Planting Date: 5/15/2025
2025 Harvest Dates: 9/25/2025-10/30/2025
Earliest Cultivar: Velvet Purps
Latest Cultivars: Citrine Rosé and Velvet Certz
Atypical conditions: Our current environment is characterized by significant temperature fluctuations, with daytime highs of 108°F dropping to the 50s at night. This range is ideal for our outdoor plants, as the dry, hot weather is balanced by a brief period of morning dew that evaporates quickly as the sun rises.
Located on the valley floor at an elevation of 1400 feet, our farm is surrounded by mountains that create a unique microclimate. Within this setting, we have cultivated a thriving ecosystem through polyculture and a flowering canopy. The soil in this location is naturally rich in texture and has been further enhanced by years of regenerative, closed-loop farming practices.
Notable highlights/challenges: Living in an area prone to wildfires and crime has taught us the importance of constant preparation. Given that our property is accessible only by a single paved road and a mountain pass, we have prioritized becoming self-sustained and ready for any situation.
Our environment requires a high level of alertness. We manage livestock, including alpacas and chickens, while navigating the presence of local wildlife such as bears, bobcats, and birds of prey. These factors continue to drive us toward improving our infrastructure and readiness.
Currently, we are 100% solar-powered and harvest our own wood for heating. We have also taken significant steps to secure our property by building a fireproof home and installing specialized fire-fighting irrigation plumbing throughout the grounds. While we continue to face and learn from new challenges, we remain committed to doing our best to stay prepared and self-sufficient.
First Cut Farms
Farm Information
Instagram: @firstcutfarms
Latitude: ~39.800 N
Elevation: ~1,400’
Farm Region/Watershed: Covelo
Certifications: N/A
Head Cultivator: Jerry Munn
Cultivated: 5000 sqft
Light Dep: Yes
Geographic features: Planting in natural soil in the Covelo terroir.
Genetics Information
Total # of cultivars: A lot
Genetics sources: Proprietary clones from own mothers, Proprietary seeds from own breeding: First Cut Farms, Mendo Seeds.
Top Cultivars:Every thing! Holy Smokes, Vietnamese, Sky Berry, Blue Dream, Pink Certs
Cultivation Practices
Plant inputs: Organic amendments, Top Secret
Pest management: Jadam
Planting tech: Native soil, sea of green
Philosophy: Maximize Canopy, Put your heart into it
Harvest Information
2025 Final Planting Date: 7/5/2025
2025 Harvest Dates: 10/5/2025-11/10/2025
Earliest Cultivar: Sky Berry
Latest Cultivars: Hard to say
Atypical conditions: Great season, A little cooler but not cold.
Notable highlights/challenges: Crushing second rip deps in November - Working harder than ever!
Martyjuana Farms
Farm Information
Website: https://martyjuana.com/
Instagram: @Martyjuanafarms
Latitude: ~39.700 N
Elevation: ~1,500’
Farm Region/Watershed: Covelo, Round Valley, East Mendocino
Certifications: Sun + Earth Certified
Head Cultivator: Marty Clein
Cultivated: 5,000 sqft
Light dep: no
Geographic features: Living Soil is the way to go, Close the LOOP!
Genetics Information
Total # of cultivars: 8
Genetics sources: Clones from Major Farms Nursery and Highline Nursery, Proprietary seeds from own breeding
Top Cultivars: Blue Swami, Purple Cream, Mendo Biscuitz, and Supreme Gelato
Cultivation Practices
Plant inputs: Farm-made compost, biochar, and herbal teas and extracts.
Pest management: Integrated pest-management, building local Insectories and companion planting.
Planting tech: Hugels work well for water retention and plant vitality… Cover crops are necessary for soil health year round.
Philosophy: "Plants by the Moon with Sun , Soil, & Soil!" AND "Every Plant, Every Day!"
Harvest Information
2025 Final Planting Date: 6/23/2025
2025 Harvest Dates: 10/6/2025-11/5/2025
Earliest Cultivar: Mendo Biscuitz
Latest Cultivar: Blue Swami
Atypical conditions: Each year is different, which makes TRUE Sungrown more unique, meaning NO shade cloth, or plastic tarps, or glass or metal roofs...True Sungrown is unique because it is different EVERY year. Oct 2025 was the most mild Harvest in over a decade. Oct 2024, was the hottest Harvest in a decade, with 9 days over 100, and 5 of those days, over 110. Anyway, TRUE SUNGROWN, it hits different! PEACE
Notable highlights/challenges: It was a quality year overall, no major or even minor issues.
Takeaway: Overall temps are very important, and when the morning dew begins to come in, key issues affect the Harvest.
Seed 707
Farm Information
Instagram: @seed707_llc
Latitude: ~39.600 N
Elevation: ~1,900'
Farm Region/Watershed: Long Valley Zone 3
Certifications: All natural living soil farm N/A
Head Cultivator: Mary Polson
Cultivated: 5,000 sq ft
Light dep: No
Geographic features: This 100 acre property on the valley floor of Long Valley, Laytonville CA boasts beautiful sulfur springs and a creek both of which have water year round. The gardens sit at approximately 1900 ft elevation and get full sun exposure and residue in native soil. With roots as far back as 1871 this historic property was licensed as a cannabis farm in 2017. Historically the Pinches family cattle ranch there are rolling hills, various micro climates, limited snow, rainfall and moderate fog impact the terroir of the area. If you are interested in a more in depth history of the property it was featured in the book Pioneering in the Shadow of CAHTO Mountain by Katie Mayo.
Genetics Information
Total # of cultivars: 6
Genetics sources: Clones from Phinest in Sacramento; Proprietary seeds from own breeding
Top Cultivars: Carbon Fiber, Spyrock Pink Champagne, Blueberry Spritzer
Cultivation Practices
Plant inputs: Steer, chicken, bat, compost, feather meal
Pest management: Beneficial insects and ladybugs; healthy plants have had few pest problems
Planting tech: 100 gallon pots with living soil, amended annually; compost teas
Philosophy: Happy farmer, happy plants. Singing, dancing and playing music to plants on a daily basis.
Harvest Information
2025 Final Planting Date: 4/11/2025
2025 Harvest Dates: 9/28/2025 - 10/23/2025
Earliest Cultivars: Pink Champagne and Blueberry Spritzer
Latest Cultivar: Carbon Fiber (went through three storms)
Atypical conditions: This season was very hot all season with three storms in October. There was tremendous mold after the 2nd and 3rd storms.
Notable highlights/challenges: The highlight is that I’m still here barely obviously struggling but very positive. The challenges aren’t too many on the farm. We’re basically bare bones now I’m doing everything by myself and then I beg my family for help when I need it. The biggest challenge is finding honest people to work with selling the finished product.
Mendocino Family Farm
Farm Information
Website: https://mendocinofamilyfarm.com/
Instagram: @mendocinofamilyfarm
Latitude: ~39.500 N
Elevation: ~1,800’
Farm Region/Watershed: Eel River
Certifications: Sun + Earth
Head Cultivator: Phil Crews
Cultivated: 10,000 sqft
Light dep: yes
Geographic features: Mendocino Family Farm is located on the south facing coastal range in Mendocino County. We sit at 1500 feet above sea level. We practice organic and regenerative gardening and grow in native soil.
Genetics Information
Total # of cultivars: 7
Genetics sources: Clones from Phinest, Proprietary seeds from own breeding
Top Cultivars: 3 Queens
Additional Info: All strains sold very well in the wholesale market.
Cultivation Practices
Plant inputs: Gypsum, sulfur, feather meal, fish bone meal, earthworm, biochar.
Pest management: Insecticidal soap, alcohol, citrus acid.
Planting tech: No till, raised beds, native soil, compost and mineral replenishing with soil testing.
Philosophy: Less is better.
Harvest Information
2025 Final Planting Date: 6/25/2025
2025 Harvest Dates: 6/21/2025 - 10/31/2025
Earliest Cultivar: Super Runtz
Latest Cultivar: Modified Lemonhead
Atypical conditions: Last summer was mild heat, some late rain.
Notable highlights/challenges: Both rounds of light dep were AAA, some challenges with PM and mold in the full term.
Emerald Spirit Botanicals
Farm Information
Website: https://emeraldspiritbotanicals.com/
Instagram: @emeraldspiritbotanicals
Latitude: ~39.500 N
Elevation: ~2,000'
Farm Region/Watershed: Noyo River Watershed, Willits, Mendocino County
Certifications: Sun + Earth Certified, CCOF Certified Organic
Head Cultivator: Katie Jeane
Cultivated: 5,000 sqft
Light dep: No
Geographic features: The property straddles a ridge dividing the Noyo River and Eel River Watersheds sitting at approximately 2,000 feet elevation on a West/Southwest facing slope. Coastal influence keeps climate moderate with higher than average rainfall. Everything is grown in native soil beds built in the earth and amended with compost, goat manure and cover crop for 15+ years.
Genetics Information
Total # of cultivars: 11 cultivars for market, plus a few R&D projects
Genetics sources: Proprietary clones from own mothers, Proprietary seeds from own breeding (15+ years of on-farm breeding)
Top Cultivars: Pink Boost Goddess, Royal Blueberry, Emerald CBG
Cultivation Practices
Plant inputs: Compost mix derived from goat manure, wood chips from local forest, and plant material from the garden.
Pest management: Integrated Pest Management hosting a variety of beneficial insects — some established in the garden, others introduced annually.
Planting tech: No-till, native soil, annual compost applications, cover cropping, and specialized compost teas varying by soil and plant needs.
Philosophy: Hybridized regenerative organic farming philosophy drawing from Biodynamics, Permaculture and Organics.
Harvest Information
2025 Final Planting Date: 5/15/2025
2025 Harvest Dates: 9/15/2025 - 10/25/2025
Earliest Cultivars: Pink Boost Goddess (second week of September)
Latest Cultivar: Emerald CBG (third week of October)
Atypical conditions: We experienced a little bit more rain this year compared to the last few years but nothing extraordinary
Notable highlights/challenges: Overall I felt like it was a great year!
Takeaway: This year we had a bit more rain than 2024 but nothing drastic. 2025 was an especially nice harvest with great weather and late rains.
Casa Flor Family
Farm Information
Website: https://casaflorfamily.com/
Instagram: @casaflorfamily
Latitude: ~39.400 N
Elevation: ~1,300'
Farm Region/Watershed: Willits, Mendocino County
Certifications: N/A
Head Cultivators: Luis and Sal
Cultivated: 10,000 sqft
Light Dep: Yes
Geographic features: We are located in the Willits Valley.
Genetics Information
Total # of cultivars: About 15 in the sungrown area.
Genetics sources: We bred 99% of all seeds we grew, grew a couple varieties from our friends at Humboldt Seed Co.
Top Cultivars: Orange Twist, Flight 23, Gooberz, Mangonada, Purp Terpz, Tropical (CBD/THC)
Additional Information: We have extraction yields we use for reference on some cultivars which help determine if they’re suitable for growing.
Cultivation Practices
Pest management: A regimen we’ve used for years, bacillus thurengesis, bio mite.
Philosophy: Work with Mother Nature, she’s boss! 😂 Care for the land and water.
Harvest Information
2025 Final Planting Date: May and June for sungrown
2025 Harvest Dates: October
Earliest Cultivars: Purp Terpz and a Whitethorn Rose cross we did with Johnny (Huckleberry Hill Farms)
Latest Cultivar: Flight 23
Atypical conditions: The weather
Cosmic Forces Farm
Farm Information
Instagram: @_cosmicforcesfarm_
Latitude: ~39.400 N
Elevation: ~1,400’
Farm Region/Watershed: Willits / Eel River Watershed
Certifications: Sun+Earth, DEM Pure
Head Cultivator: Mario DeJuan
Cultivated: 5,000 sqft
Light dep: No
Geographic features: The farm is located in the Little lake valley, in an area that used to be a lake. The soil is silt to sandy loam.
Genetics Information
Total # of cultivars: 13
Genetics sources: Proprietary seeds from own breeding, Small Time Seeds
Top Cultivars: They all performed great.
Cultivation Practices
Plant inputs: Compost
Pest management: Attentiveness
Planting tech: The whole farm is designed and maintained as a permaculture demonstration site, livestock provide pest management and manure for fertilizer. The cannabis garden is managed in a no till system with a blend on native soil and compost.
Philosophy: It's like being a doctor, it's a practice.
Harvest Information
2025 Final Planting Date: 5/15/2025
2025 Harvest Dates: 10/5/2025-10/31/25
Atypical conditions: No fire, rains during September
Notable highlights/challenges: Successful season
==
Nurturing Seed Farm
Farm Information
Instagram: @nurturingseedfarm
Latitude: ~39.300 N
Elevation: ~1,300'
Farm Region/Watershed: Willits Valley
Certifications: Sun + Earth
Head Cultivator: Michael Adams
Cultivated: 10,000 sqft
Light dep: No
Geographic features: Nurturing Seed is located in the Willits Valley in an old lakebed where the nights are cool and the sun shines all day. Plants are grown in loamy native soil at 1,390 ft elevation with flowers finishing throughout the month of October.
Genetics Information
Total # of cultivars: 6
Genetics sources: Seeds from others, Proprietary seeds from own breeding
Top Cultivars: Lavender Trainwreck, Orange Creampop
Cultivation Practices
Plant inputs: Only organic, mostly compost tea
Pest management: Maintain healthy plants.
Planting tech: No till, cover crop, compost and compost tea
Philosophy: Feed the soil microbes
Harvest Information
2025 Final Planting Date: 6/10/2025
2025 Harvest Dates: Late October - November 2025
Earliest Cultivars: Lavender Trainwreck
Latest Cultivar: Papaya
Atypical conditions: A spectacular fall for harvest this year
Notable highlights/challenges: Market conditions
Additional information: 2024 harvest was all in 3 weeks. This year we harvested over 1.5 months
Mendo Mystic
Farm Information
Website: https://www.mendomystic.com/
Instagram: @mendomystic
Latitude: ~39.300 N
Elevation: ~2,500’
Farm Region/Watershed: Willits / Mendocino County / Eel River & Russian River
Certifications: OCal
Head Cultivators: Cindy & Tony Browning
Cultivated: 5,000 sqft
Light Dep: No
Geographic features: Mendo Mystic Farms sits on a ridgetop overlooking both Willits and Redwood Valley, at roughly 2,500 feet of elevation. Our location gives the farm a unique expression shaped by mountain air, strong sun exposure, and dramatic evening cool-downs. Being only one mountain range away from Fort Bragg, we are influenced by the coastal fog that rolls in most nights, often spilling just over the surrounding mountains before pulling back toward the coast. This daily rhythm of warm days, cool nights, and coastal influence helps create a distinct microclimate for our cannabis.
Unlike farms located in richer valley soils, our ridgetop environment has required years of intentional soil building. Through natural inputs, organic matter, and careful stewardship, we have worked to develop a living soil ecosystem that supports healthy plant growth and full-season expression.
Genetics Information
Total # of cultivars: 6
Genetics sources: Proprietary clones from own mothers, Proprietary seeds from own breeding: Mixture of our own, and friends’ seed stash.
Top Cultivars: Our Jack Mormon is the most seasoned. Guerrilla Haze sold out for us reallly quick. Lime Bubba x Hindu is seeming to be the new star.
Cultivation Practices
Plant inputs: Mixture of our own & locally sourced composts, worm castings, and compost teas throughout the growing season.
Pest management: No Spray, our property is covered with flowers & plants that attract beneficials that help do our busy work.
Planting tech: No-till, KNF, Cover Cropping, "Lasagna Method."
Philosophy: Keep It Simple Stoner, or KISS. We have been fortunate enough to cultivate on this same farm every single year since 1986, and over that time we have learned plenty of ways to overcomplicate growing. Through decades of trial and error, our approach has become more patient, more grounded, and more focused on the soil. We believe in slowing down, feeding the soil, and letting the soil feed the plants. Rather than trying to force the garden, we work with the natural conditions of the farm and guide the plants through the season. Our cannabis is an expression of this environment: the ridgetop, the elevation, the coastal influence, the living soil, and the care that goes into each crop. At Mendo Mystic Farms, we see farming as a relationship with the land. Our job is to shape the conditions, support the ecosystem, and allow the plants to show what this place can produce.
Harvest Information
2025 Final Planting Date: 6/15/2025
2025 Harvest Dates: 10/9/2025 - 11/13/2025
Earliest Cultivar: Jack Mormon
Latest Cultivar: Northern Lights Haze
Atypical conditions: None drastic enough to come to memory.
Notable highlights/challenges: Highlights: We made it another year. Challenges: The entire industry, regulations, lack of support for small farms, along with retailer buyers generally not being receptive to Outdoor that is more than $4/8th.
Hobbit Hill (Greenshock Farms)
Farm Information
Website: https://greenshockfarms.com/
Instagram: @greenshockfarms
Latitude: ~39.300 N
Elevation: ~2,400’
Farm Region/Watershed: Interior Mendocino - Willits, Sherwood
Certifications: Self-certified, great inputs, great climate, great strains
Head Cultivator: Paul Mehl
Cultivated: ~275 plants
Light dep: no
Geographic features: Elevation 2400 feet, interior Mendocino coastal ridgetop douglas fir/chinquapin/oak/madrone/manzanita forest, open field southwest facing ridgetop. Soil composition - mineral and compost rich sandstone with seams of chert. Ground water well.
Genetics Information
Total # of cultivars: 15
Genetics sources: Proprietary clones from own mothers, Proprietary seeds from own breeding: Mr. Mark Greyshock
Top Cultivars: Double Lantern
Cultivation Practices
Plant inputs: Native soil with living compost, organic certified alfalfa, guano and manure blends.
Pest management: Predator bugs. Plants bred for pest and mildew resistance.
Planting tech: No-till, cover crops, annual composting and surface amendments.
Philosophy: Utilize nature the best we can to allow the full expression of strain specific characteristics and native terroir influence.
Harvest Information
2025 Final Planting Date: 5/20/2025
2025 Harvest Dates: 10/1/2025-10/30/2025
Earliest Cultivar: Double Lantern
Latest Cultivars: Double Peppermint
Atypical conditions: Typical fall season with warm days and cool nights. The 2025 fall harvest season experienced 3 distinct precipitation events that matched with climatological averages of approx 6" of rain during the harvest period from late September through end of October. We enjoy and look forward to mild rain events during the harvest season to wash the plants, fully activate the soil and the cooler temps adds color and density to the finished flowers.
Notable highlights/challenges: Only real challenges for this farm are potentially testing out new varietals that aren't suited for higher humidity and colder nighttime environments. We are able to generally avoid this due to a well-grounded knowledge of the strains that are selected and recommended by Greenshock Farms.
Takeaway: Both the 2023 and 2024 harvest seasons received well below average to no precipitation during the harvest season. 2025 was on average for precipitation.
Sweet Sisters Family Farm
Farm Information
Website: https://www.sweetsistersfamilyfarm.com/
Instagram: @sweetsisters_familyfarm
Latitude: ~39.200 N
Elevation: ~200’
Farm Region/Watershed: South Fork Big River
Certifications: N/A
Head Cultivator: Flynn ODonnell
Cultivated: 9,540 sqft
Light Dep: No
Geographic features: A sun drenched meadow surrounded by towering Redwoods
Genetics Information
Total # of cultivars: 17
Genetics sources: Clones from others, Proprietary clones from own mothers: Haze Valley Nursery and Philo Select
Top Cultivars: Biscotti, Banana punch, G-41 , Obama, Marilyn Monroe, PleaZure, Tropicanna Cherry, Sharpie
Cultivation Practices
Plant inputs: Locally sourced organics
Pest management: Sulfur or IPM
Planting tech: Cover cropping, till in all amendments in spring. Mulch to help with water retention. Utilizing compost extracts and teas, from compost made on site.
Philosophy: We are a strong believer in keeping it simple, with a proactive approach, not a reactive approach. Keeping ahead of problems without getting to complicated. Giving out plants the love and respect that the cannabis plant deserves.water and land stewardship, and biodiversity. We do this because we love it and believe cannabis is medicine that should be grown with love and not full of chemicals.
Harvest Information
2025 Final Planting Date: 6/13/2025
2025 Harvest Dates: 9/19/2025 - 10/20/2025
Earliest Cultivar: Obama
Latest Cultivars: Banana Punch
Atypical conditions: The conditions were not the best. There was a lot of mold and cold wet mornings.
Notable highlights/challenges: The weight we pulled in 2025 was on par for what we produce on the farm yearly. The quality was spot on.
Tall Tree Society
Farm Information
Website: https://talltreesociety.com
Instagram: @talltreesociety
Latitude: ~39.200 N
Elevation: ~800’
Farm Region/Watershed: Redwood Valley, Russian River
Certifications: Sun + Earth, OCal, CCOF, Cannabis Conservancy
Head Cultivator: Shane
Cultivated: 10k cultivation, 12k nursery
Light dep: yes
Geographic features: Tall Tree Society is located in the Russian River Valley in Mendocino County, where hot inland days are balanced by cool coastal air at night. The farm sits at a lower elevation with good airflow and natural drainage, this helps keep plants healthy and reduces disease pressure, avoidance of early season frosts, and less clouds and less humidity
Our fields are flat and hug the Russian river. We grow directly in native soil made up of alluvial loam with clay and gravel, giving us strong mineral content and good moisture balance. Plants get full sun during the day and cool down in the evenings. That daily temperature swing slows things down toward the end of the season and helps preserve flavor and aroma. Combined with living soil practices and the surrounding native landscape, this creates a unique growing environment that grows great cannabis.
Genetics Information
Total # of cultivars: Too many
Genetics sources: Clones from Source Nursery, Haze Valley Nursery, Conception Nursery, Proprietary clones from own mothers, Seeds from others, Proprietary seeds from own breeding
Top Cultivar: Hashburger
Cultivation Practices
Plant inputs: Cold creek compost, gypsum, lime (when needed), alfalfa, potash (when needed), fish (when needed).
Pest management: Mineral oil and "the beneficial insectary."
Planting tech: No till, chop n drop cover crop, mulching, composting, worm bins, rotational grazing with animals, polyculture.
Philosophy: My approach to farming is rooted in working with nature instead of trying to control it. We focus on building healthy soil and a healthy ecosystem first and letting the plants express themselves naturally. We farm sun-grown, in native soil, and prioritize long-term soil health, water and land stewardship, and biodiversity. We do this because we love it and believe cannabis is medicine that should be grown with love and not full of chemicals.
Harvest Information
2025 Final Planting Date: 9/13/2025
2025 Harvest Dates: 9/13/2025-12/13/2025
Earliest Cultivar: Trop Cherries was an early one.
Latest Cultivars: GMO crosses, and many of our sativa hashplants: Papayas, Strawberry Banana.
Atypical conditions: Stellar year
Notable highlights/challenges: Classic industry struggles....always on the verge of power turning off and paychecks never paid, retailer consolidation, distro buyouts, shitty clones, unreliable plugs and connections. I could go on forever. but the struggle will always be there and is part of the joy. We won contests, met new friends, fell in love, had epic parties, spend most of our days outside working with people we love and after, getting sunburned at the river, smoking lots of good weed.
Takeaway: I've got to admit it's getting better. A little better all the time.
Sugar Hill Farm (The Bohemian Chemist)
Farm Information
Website: https://www.thebohemianchemist.com/
Instagram: @thebohemianchemist
Latitude: ~39.100 N
Elevation: ~800'
Farm Region/Watershed: Anderson Valley, Mendocino County
Certifications: Working on Sun+Earth certification
Head Cultivator: Jim Roberts
Cultivated: 10,000 sqft
Light dep: No
Geographic features: Sugar Hill Farm is in Mendocino County's Anderson Valley with strong Pacific Coast influence, warm days and cool evenings. The cultivation site is on a southern slope in native soil conditioned with natural inputs including on-site composting. Soil composition is mostly clay and sandy loam.
Genetics Information
Total # of cultivars: 30+
Genetics sources: Seeds from others, Proprietary seeds from own breeding (seed vault with 300+ landrace, heirloom cultivars, polyhybrids and own crosses)
Top Cultivars: Mexican and African landraces. Black African Magic, Mendo Afghan Skunk.
Cultivation Practices
Plant inputs: Compost from surrounding gardens, manure, seabird guano, kelp and composting teas.
Pest management: Companion planting, predators such as ladybugs and Plant Therapy (natural oils) on occasion.
Planting tech: Raised beds using native soil, no-till & composting.
Philosophy: Focused on one full term crop per season with no cover, supporting natural biodiversity. All starts are from regular seeds with 8-9 months from start to finish.
Harvest Information
2025 Final Planting Date: 5/1/2025
2025 Harvest Dates: 9/20/2025-11/20/2025
Earliest Cultivar: A poly hybrid called Strawberry Meltshake as well as NL-1 and NL-5.
Latest Cultivars: Michoacán, Huixtepec, Zamal from the Reunion Islands and Corinto x Thai Stick cross we created.
Atypical conditions: Very good growing season. It was on the cool side over the summer and into the fall which extended the harvest season. Normal rains in the fall that did not affect harvest.
Notable highlights/challenges: Cultivation site is limited on space given the topography of the farm.
This is part 4/8 of the 2025 California Cannabis Harvest Report by Budist. Navigate to all 8 parts of the Harvest Report:
- 2025 California Cannabis Harvest Report: Introduction
- 2025 California Cannabis Harvest Report: Trinity County
- 2025 California Cannabis Harvest Report: Humboldt County
- 2025 California Cannabis Harvest Report: Mendocino County (You are here)
- 2025 California Cannabis Harvest Report: Lake County
- 2025 California Cannabis Harvest Report: Sonoma County
- 2025 California Cannabis Harvest Report: Nevada County
- 2025 California Cannabis Harvest Report: Santa Cruz County