Grower Stories #71: Akasha Ellis

An Interview With California-Based Organic, Natural Hemp-Derived CBD Supplier Ventura Seed Company

When it comes to hemp-derived CBD, quality matters. Whether it’s the plants it comes from, the seeds those plants are grown from, or the processes taken by the company themselves to ensure quality. That’s where Ventura Seed Company comes in. Akasha Ellis talks with AskGrowers about the brand, their processes, and what makes their seeds unique. #growerstories

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We incorporated Ventura Seed Company in 2018 though the idea began much earlier. In 2014 my father was diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer. He was offered traditional cancer treatment chemo, radiation, and surgery along with opiates for pain. He opted out of chemo and opiates. He chose surgery, radiation and used THC and CBD for the inflammation and pain. He also embarked on an alkaline, inflammation-free diet. He found that he truly benefited from the CBD and THC and that it offered him the ability to rest a few hours each day post-surgery and radiation. After surviving the initial treatment, he has continued to use CBD to aid in his ability to reduce inflammation and gain a good night’s rest which he truly attributes to a higher quality of life.

In early 2015-16, we began researching hemp and its many gifts. We also collaborated with many other individuals who we thought could assist us on our mission of bringing the many benefits of this amazing plant to the masses at large.

In 2018 we established Ventura Seed Company, the first hemp pilot research, and development program in Ventura County, Ca. and New York, and began propagating Hemp CBD seeds and cultivating our seeds for flower and biomass to be used in end products (for ingestible, topical and building materials). In Jan 2019 we were able to establish USDA organic certification.

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Tia (AskGrowers) : There are thousands of seed companies out there, all over the world. Why should people choose you instead of many others? What sets you guys apart from your competition?

 

Akasha Ellis : In 2018 VSC collaborated with other well-known genetic providers from Colorado and Oregon. This gave us a platform to produce stable compliant CBD-rich genetics that could then be fine-tuned for specific traits and phenotypes. Like establishing a shorter flowering time for farmers that have a shorter grow season or farmers looking for different terpenes or denser flower. The beauty is our genetics have successfully been grown in different regions of the country for a few years now and we are constantly receiving feedback on how better to accommodate those regions and needs.

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Tia : In your professional opinion, what makes a good cannabis seed? What qualities should consumers be on the look-out for when buying seeds?

 

Akasha : It’s important for consumers to make sure they are getting what they are paying for. If they are purchasing feminised seeds ask your supplier to send you a third-party test on fem rate results, germ rates, COA’s and possibly a reference or two. Have their seeds been grown in your region? What type of pests should you be concerned about? Most of our farmers have a list of questions that we love to problem solve and answer.

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Tia : What are the hardest seeds to find in your state? Why are they so tough to find?

 

Akasha : Prior to 2018 it was feminized CBD-rich genetics. In 2019 it was CBG. Supply and demand have a lot to do with it.

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Tia : What are the hardest seeds to grow in your personal experience? What makes them so difficult to manage properly?

 

Akasha : Auto flower. They require you to really have your time schedule down there is less room for error.

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Tia : How much should good seeds cost? You can mention the price range?

 

Akasha : Price for CBD-rich feminized seeds is between $.25-2.00 a seed price is primarily based on volume of purchase. As more and more farms cultivate, and more genetic companies enter the market the price will lower and probably stabilize. We propagate our seeds in a controlled glass greenhouse. Helping minimize risks and not passing phenotypes that are not preferred. Though the costs are higher in a greenhouse.

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Tia : How do you fertilize your plants? Do you have any specific approaches to growing your cannabis?

 

Akasha : We propagate only in controlled greenhouse environments.

We cultivate flower and biomass in both the greenhouse and outdoor using drip irrigation which allows us to feed the plants throughout the grow cycle. We begin with a good certified organic starter soil during germination, and we add fertilizer to our raised beds and pots prior to transplanting.

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Tia : How do you think cannabis consumers benefit from using naturally-grown, pesticide-free cannabis products?

 

Akasha : It’s a little more upfront work and cost but in the end, you are producing a product you would feel comfortable ingesting or giving to someone you care and love. It begins with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy plants thus healthy people and in the long-run sustainable for our future generations.

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Tia : When it comes to company values, how does your brand maintain transparency and sustainability for your customers?

 

Akasha : We share our experiences with our customers. We treat our employees and one other with respect and fairness. We tell our customers what we and other farmers have experienced with our genetics. Honesty goes a long way. There is always room for growth and if we can better educate through transparency to help ensure success the more success, we will all experience.

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Tia : Are there any seed companies you appreciate and follow in your state? If so, give them a shout-out here!

 

Akasha : I respect a number of companies. I enjoyed my in-depth philosophical and spiritual conversations with a few of the members of Phylos, HGH, and our initial partnership in 2018, Oregon CBD for trail-blazing the industry. I also give a shout-out to Nate-Dustin and others who were instrumental to our early success.

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Tia : What people should know and be aware of when starting the seed company? Do you have your own tips and tricks? What’s the biggest home-growing mistake that beginners make?

 

Akasha : Never forget it’s an amazing living plant. And you are interacting with mother nature and anything can happen Don’t give up, keep persevering. Be willing to ask questions and other experts in the field.

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Tia : If you could smoke with anyone in this world, who would that be and why?

 

Akasha : That’s a tough one. I don’t really smoke anymore. I ingest. But I would have to say my father, brothers and sisters both by blood and chosen, [tooltip title="Robert Nesta Marley" content="One of the pioneers of reggae."]Marley[/tooltip], and [tooltip title="Albert Einstein" content="One of the greatest physicists, known for the development of the theory of relativity."]Einstein[/tooltip]. Been blessed to partake with most of them on my list.

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You can follow Ventura Seed Company at: 

 

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Thank you so much, Ventura Seed Company team, for taking the time to do the interview. To learn more about them, head on over to their website.