If I could generate the return I want from a pot nursery, I would do that, rather than barely making it growing pot on my farm; if I could run a profitable tourist stop, I would do that, rather than barely making it growing pot on my farm; if I could create a new product line infusing olive oil, I would do that, rather than barely making it growing pot on my farm. And, of course, these are all cannabis related; but, this is to be expected as this is the business that we are in.
One thing that my increasing years has revealed to me is that you need to think carefully now about your options; this decision gets highlighted since the clock is actually ticking rather loudly for you. This is it, baby! Oh, I know that this is old advice, but why not look at what you have always loved or always wanted to do? This actually happened to me. I have always wanted to write, since I was young, but life got in the way regularly until I finally thought that it was just not going to happen. I was wrong; my timing was off. Please don’t think that timing is something that you arrange (I guess, that sometimes you can) since, most of the time, events arrange you and you are looking for a way to hold on to find out where you are going. This is not crazy; it is opening doors that you didn’t know about.
Covid. Divorce. Heart surgery. Lost business. Serious family problems. It was like 1-2-3 and off the cliff. And, unfortunately, it took all that trauma to help me break through to my new life and, now, here I am at 73 on my way. Who knew? I have a facility with words; soon I was writing poetry, then a first chapter appeared and then non-fiction. I followed my skill set, looking for other ways to use what I have. Well, I know pot and now I have a radio show, The Cannabis Show and a Substack. I have a compelling voice so I want to read for Audible and I am applying for Continuing Education teaching positions. I am old and, oh boy, do I have content on that. I hope you are getting my drift; you do have options to keep your farm afloat and they don’t mean a job as a grocery clerk (bless them, tho); a good friend of mine makes quilts (really fine works of art) and she sells them; its not a lot of money but she can help support her farm doing something she loves (or is it the other way around, and the farm is supporting her quilts.
You also very much need to think outside the box; have you thought about glamping on your farm? Have you thought about teaching others about growing pot – you, after all, really are an expert. I went to the recent Cannafest up in Eureka, and I could see innovation all around me. Be that person!
This is all to say, there is more than one way to skin the cat (ewww!) and we can’t allow ourselves to be depressed or feel cornered just because things are a little rough now. Woman-up or man-up and get on with your dreams… and your farms!
What do you have in your closet that you haven’t worn in awhile?
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Steve Dodge owns Homegrown Farms and partners at Humboldt Growers Network. Besides The Cannabis Show, he is on substack (https://nevergiveup.substack.com/and talking old.substack.com) and Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/home_grown). Well, almost on. Steve hosts the Cannabis Show on www.kmud.org every Monday from 5 to 6 PM. Been in the biz since 1978. His farm comes equipped with Gizmo, the black cat and Leda, the really big Rottweiler.Photo
Credit: Steve Dodge
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