Greenlife Organics: Soil to Shelf
Greenlife Organics Farm
is an essential part of the companies integrated system. The focus is to utilize the interconnectedness of nature to help build soil health, maximize biodiversity, and regeneratively grow the most nutrient-dense crops including tomatoes, avocados, chilis and industrial hemp.
Nestled in the hills of north county San Diego, the “property” was purchased in 2013. On the property there was a home, a distressed avocado grove and lots of dead dirt.
From 2013 - 2018, the focus was to incorporate a biodiverse environment to restore the depleted soil and research renewable energy sources. The mission not only focused on what we produce but how we produce it. We knew if we aligned ourselves with the preservation and continued renewal of the earth, the result would be nutrient dense crops. After years of testing, hard work, research and investments we experienced a transformation. Clean well-water replaced polluted city water. Electricity demands were no longer a burden to the grid, but now captured from the sun. And the once lifeless dirt slowly transformed into rich microbial soil with the use of worm castings, chicken guana, biochar soil, composting and cover crops.
In 2018, through conversations with Tim deSmet (Sharon’s brother) and Dr. Phil Millman Pharm. D., the farm added a new crop, Industrial Hemp. Greenlife Organics was formed. The decision was cemented when one of the family dogs, Aria, recovered from a life threatening illness with the addition of CBD to her diet.
In April 2019, Greenlife Organics purchased feminized seeds (Mountain Mango strain), from Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado. We applied and were approved by the CDFA Industrial Hemp Program to grow our first crop. Seeds were germinated in the greenhouse and planted outdoors using the same soil conditions, water, and farming practices, used in our vegetable garden.
In the process we learned a lot about water management, pest management, labor costs, and ideal growing conditions. The first crop was harvested, properly dried and flowers were removed from the stems. Flowers were vacuum packed at the farm and transported to our extraction lab, where they were suspended in nitrogen, prior to extraction. The pharmaceutical compounding lab is managed by Dr. Phil Millman, Pharm.D. To learn more about our extraction process visit our website at www.greenlifeorganics.com
2020 Crop Improvements
After the 2019 harvest, we carefully evaluated and researched how to improve the yield and the plant’s rich chemical content (cannabinoids), with the continued goal to produce the world’s finest hemp extract. As our research confirmed, nurture a strong root system, use nutrient rich soil, water on demand, and the result will be unmeasurable quality.
1. Build Strong Roots
The roots are the lungs of the plant. It is critical for the root system to breathe and not get bound by a hard sided plastic pot of poor soil conditions.
In the previous year we planted directly in the soil but experienced water runoff and other wasteful practices not keeping with our sustainable farming goals. We decided to invest in fabric pots with a BluMat irrigation system.
2. Soil & Water Management
30 gallon fabric pots were purchased from Sustainable Village. Each 30 gallon, has a moisture barrier built into the inside walls and provide a breathable growing environment for hemp. Fabric pots are not only a great solution for growing strong roots, they improved our water management usage.
Water management is accomplished with the BluMat system where each plant is watered on an as needed basis.
3. Biochar Blended Soil
At Greenlife Organics we used a microbial rich soil but in partnership with Miller Soil we learned about earth rich soil that positively impacted global warming. We selected the Red’s Premium Biochar Blend:
highest percentage/volume of organic amendments
porous, carbon-rich biochar reduced reduce water demands.
no need for additional fertilizers or soil amendments.
Once the hemp harvest was completed, this soil was used in our avocado grove, as part of the organic mulching program needed crop regeneration.
4. Beneficial Insects
Pests are a part of a farmers life and the hemp crop is no exception. In our part of California, we are susceptible to aphids, corn earworms and grasshoppers. Each variety of pest can cause immediate damage to a crop.
At Greenlife Organics we use beneficial insects to manage unwanted pests. Green Lacewing’s, Ladybugs and Praying Mantis are released throughout the growing season. Their presence, along with diligent daily plant inspection, are the best way to manage unwanted pests.
Bonsall, California: Nature’s Best
The annual weather in Bonsall is one of the most ideal growing zones in the United States. Mediterranean-type ecosystems (MTEs), offers a unique climate of mild wet winters and warm and dry summers. There are just five mediterranean regions in the world: Southern Coastal California; Central Chile; the Mediterranean Basin; the Cape Region of South Africa; and South Australia.
We are so fortunate to live and grow our crops under the warm California sun with cool, mild evenings. At the Farm, we grow year round; from certified organic avocado’s, tomatoes, herbs, and a wide variety of fruits. The result is nature’s best sun-kissed organic crops.