Interview with Sean Tracy, Farm Manager, Companion Harvest Farms
My amazing equal partners include Candi Sewell and Taylor & Tori Mershon
Tell us a little bit about what makes your farm special: location, acres, processes, etc. Had you worked with cannabis or as a farmer prior?
The farm is located just outside Nashville, Tennessee. Our farm doesn't just grow hemp - we supply food, herbs and flowers to our local community, providing a family-friendly environment with a focus on sustainability. We believe this breaks the negative stigma regarding cannabis, creating a much better relationship to this emerging industry with members of the community.
We are also a new generation of farmers (in our 20s/30s). We use regenerative & organic practices to preserve this land for the NEXT generation of farmers who will come after us.
What does your farm produce? (top flower, extract, other crops, etc.) Do you have any products?
Our focus with hemp is:
- CBD oil / topical products for the health & wellness community
- High quality, trimmed flower for the smokable market
Products are available through our website, and select retail shops in Mid Tennessee.
We provide a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, which includes veggies, hemp, herbs, flowers, and preserved foods. These are weekly or bi-weekly boxes harvested and delivered from our farm to our members' doorsteps.
Any fun stories of struggles you’ve overcome on the farm?
Caterpillars can destroy a crop - and if you don't prepare for them, you'll have quite the battle.
I don't think I've had as much fun as in my first season, having to explain to my neighbors why I was in my field with a headlamp on every night until about 2:00 a.m. trying to mitigate our caterpillar problems by hand! Eventually you learn to just be grateful it isn't any worse, and of course, nighttime ain't so bad... at least you aren't dying from the heat and humidity!
Do you have any advice for anyone entering the industry? Where do you think the industry is headed?
Just like everything in life: Do it for the passion, not for the money. That is the key to succeeding in this industry. And with ANYTHING you grow, remember: It's a living being, so treat each plant with intention! Hemp is the FUTURE of agriculture, and this is just the beginning!
And finally, if there are any people that you’d like to recognize from your farm or the industry in general that have helped get the company to where it is now?
Our farm couldn't operate without each one of us doing our part. Shout out to Candi, Taylor, and Tori for everything!
Be love, be peace to ALL of the inspirational folks in the industry. We are in this together!
