Across the United States, a growing cadre of women cultivators is redefining cannabis cultivation—with innovation, sustainability, legacy knowledge, and social equity at the forefront of their mission. From Northern California to the Hudson Valley, these women demonstrate that growing cannabis means sowing more than just seeds—it means nurturing a more inclusive, conscientious industry.
Emerald Triangle: Legacy Meets Regenerative Farming
In California’s famed Emerald Triangle, generations of women are planting roots deep in the region’s rich soil. Wendy Kornberg runs Sunnabis (Humboldt’s Full Sun Farms), a female-owned and operated regenerative cannabis farm renowned for its natural farming methods and sun-grown heritage strain expertise. Likewise, Karla Avila of Flowerdaze Farm, a fourth-generation herbalist, merges homesteading traditions with regenerative cultivation methods. Sequoyah Hudson co-owns 8-Mile Farms and leads the Humboldt Sun Growers Guild, drawing on regional resources for sustainable practices. Chiah Rodriques, owner behind Mendocino Generations and Arcanna Flowers, cultivates off-grid organic cannabis, often powered by solar and deeply rooted in Earth-first values.
Southern California: Smart Growth Through Family Farming
On the Central Coast, Autumn Brands stands out as a 50 percent woman-owned cultivation brand that applies the farming finesse of a century-old tulip-growing legacy to cannabis, producing pesticide-free, sungrown and indoor flower with a wellness focus. Partners Autumn Shelton and Hanna Brand co-lead the brand—from finance and operations to product strategy and brand development—blending deep agricultural roots with modern cannabis compliance and innovation.
Northeast Growth: Family First, Legacy Always
Moving east, New York’s Maria Perry helms Miss Perry Farms and Northeastern Reserve from Remsen, NY. Transitioning from hemp cultivation, Perry now crafts hash-infused pre-rolls using her own flower—upholding five generations of farming heritage while filling dispensary shelves statewide. Similarly rooted in family tradition, Melzina Canigan, president and co-founder of Sunday Cannabis and Newburgh Kush, brings her cultivation vision to New York’s growing market.
Outreach and Equity: Cultivation Beyond the Crop
Solonje Burnett, known as “Weed Auntie,” elevates cultivation through advocacy, education, and transparency. While not a grower in the traditional sense, her consulting and data-transparency firm Erven helps empower cannabis operations toward ethical and inclusive business practices—especially for marginalized growers.
Why These Women Matter
- Regenerative Farming and Legacy Practices
Wendy Kornberg, Karla Avila, Sequoyah Hudson, and Chiah Rodriques embody a commitment to regenerative, sustainable cultivation—drawing on generational wisdom and honoring natural growing cycles. - Business Innovation and Balanced Leadership
Autumn Shelton and Hanna Brand of Autumn Brands represent forward-thinking leadership, successfully blending traditional agriculture with financial discipline, regulatory savvy, and health-conscious production. - Family Heritage Meets Modern Expansion
Maria Perry and Melzina Canigan combine deep family farming roots with cutting-edge cannabis products that speak to today’s market while preserving their agricultural legacies. - Social Equity and Industry Accountability
Solonje Burnett amplifies marginalized voices in the cannabis space and supports cultivators through ethical consulting, pushing for greater equity across the board.
Although women still make up a minority in executive roles across the cannabis industry, these cultivators are helping shift the balance. Their efforts not only shape premium cannabis but also promote environmental stewardship, diversity, and ethical progress—proving that the future of cannabis is not just green, but female-powered and community-grown.