Fifth generation agriculturalist William Terry and entrepreneur Stephen Walden today unveiled a new operation focused on bringing best-in-class farming practices to California sun-grown cannabis. Rooted in verdant Santa Barbara County, Farming First Holdings LLC (the “Company”) has established 134 acres of rolling outdoor cultivation, possessing entitlements for what will become the largest contiguous outdoor cultivation operation in California. Farming First offers a variety of products and services to the cannabis industry: single-source bulk wholesale flower; white-labeling; co-packaging; and custom farming contracts for specific needs, including dried and cured flower, fresh frozen, and unique phenotypical and cannabinoid specific strains. All of Farming First’s cannabis plants are sustainably sun-grown under hoop houses, focusing on rich terpene profiles expressed through the Company’s hybrid farming methodology.
“Farming First isn’t just our name—it’s our mission,” said co-founder and CEO Terry. “My family has farmed California’s Central Coast region for more than 125 years, giving me immense respect for the land and surrounding community. Along with Walden and the other founders, we’ve assembled an incredible team that brings together unrivaled cultivation know-how and modern innovation, including agricultural experts, legacy cannabis farmers, lifelong entrepreneurs, and visionary designers and engineers.”
Farming First’s recently appointed executive leadership team includes:
• William Terry, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer: Terry has served on a variety of boards, including as president of the Ventura County Farm Bureau, University of California’s Hansen Fund, California Pepper Commission, and others. He also serves as vice president of Terry Farms, a 2,000+ acre specialty crop operation.
• Stephen Walden, Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer: Prior to co-founding Farming First, Walden founded Bosse Tools, revolutionizing hardware tools with ergonomic design that he patented and later licensed. He also launched a lifestyle cannabis brand in 2018.
• Jered Micheli, Co-Founder and Agricultural Officer: Micheli is a fourth generation farmer from northern California with over 15 years of experience in the cannabis industry. He prevously managed western U.S. agricultural operations for Canopy Growth, and helped shape the regulatory framework for recreational cannabis in California.
SOURCE: Agritech Tomorrow