Terpene-rich, Sun-Grown flower once sat atop the volume heap in communities where cultivation reigned. Planting and harvesting with the seasons — and relying on the weather and the big one-lighter in the sky for the bare necessities — helped the plant proliferate, providing a more affordable, approachable means of production for a wider array of would-be growers.
Nowadays, we’re seeing fewer and fewer sun-grown farmers finishing their flower for consumer jars. Many growers are responding to changes in consumer expectations and demand and leaving the jarred flower to the indoor cultivators – the reigning champions of the retail jar appeal game.
That’s one of the things that sets Sunrise Mountain Farms apart in a world where their peers look elsewhere to stay in business — they continue as craft Cannabis cultivators under the Humboldt sun, resolute in their commitment to producing solar-powered flower for the market.
“I believe the effect and feel of Sun-Grown flower is most superior,” said Lorelie Sandomeno, who co-owns the farm along with her husband, Dave Sandomeno. “The complexity of the cannabinoids and terpenes is greatest in Sun-Grown flower, which translates to an amazing entourage effect. It’s bringing the full potential of the healing qualities and effect of the flower to a person.”
Lorelie Sandomeno became enamored of Cannabis at an early age, diving into the community in her teens and early 20s while living in other areas of the country. She ended up in Humboldt County around the turn of the millennium, where she started learning the intricacies of cultivation by assisting an experienced cultivator with a deep understanding of genetics.
Sandomeno said she became fascinated with Cannabis because while on a “healing journey.” She was a bodyworker and massage therapist and she started incorporating Cannabis in her work. The farm she worked on featured 20 different cultivars, which was pretty staggering at the time. The genetic diversity blew her mind.
“I became fascinated with the healing properties of Cannabis for myself and other people,” she said. “I didn’t have any books or anything. I just learned from people who had been doing it. I had mentors and I asked a lot of questions. I learned through trial and error and experimentation.”
Sandomeno bought the Sunrise Mountain property in 2004 and met her husband, Dave, a few years later. The two grew together and established Sunrise Mountain Farms as an LLC in 2016, bringing their craft to the licensed adult-use market. They currently operate 10,000 square feet of cultivation canopy on the property.
There was a time when they let half of their harvest go to fresh frozen, but now, they see more benefit in focusing on their sun-grown flower brand. To them, it’s about what’s best for the people. The Sun+Earth Certified farm pheno-hunts most of its strains by popping seeds from trusted providers and has also bred some of its own genetics. All cultivars are chosen for their ability to shine under the sun and are cultivated using Korean Natural Farming and JADAM techniques for home-grown soil management.
To ensure the most robust blend of terpenes, cannabinoids and flavonoids, the Sandomenos and their small team plant directly in the ground in a living blend of native and built soil. The microbiological ecosystem in the ground, the naturally occurring minerals from their spring water, the Humboldt breeze blowing through the branches, the full spectrum of sunshine — all combine to make the plants strong, healthy and productive.
“The ecosystem in the living soil and the ecosystem above the soil surrounding the plant in its terroir brings the plant to its highest form of being,” Sandomeno said. “Our bodies have been evolving with Cannabis since the beginning of humanity and plants have been growing in nature under the full spectrum of sunshine. I feel like it’s really special with the Cannabis growing in the vibration of the nature around it. It harmonizes with the plant and imbues the medicine with a high frequency.”
Key Cultivars:
Burmese Mimosa (bred by Equilibrium Genetics)
Blueberry Muffin #4 (bred by HSC)
Crème de Luna
Hot Berry
Gelpaya
Pineapple Trainwreck
Ashram Kush
Peanut Butter Face
Banana Mist
Cherry Burger
Blueberry Headband
Divine Cherry
