For members of the Ganjier Guild, Farm Focus is about more than evaluating products, although that’s certainly a fun part. It’s about getting to know the people, places, and philosophies that shape those products, and the intentionality with which they’re created.
Over the next several weeks, our community will be evaluating Farm Bill-compliant flower and rosin from Joey Burger and Tamara Thorne of Heal Thyself Gardens, a regenerative farm nestled in the mountains of Lake County, California. For more than 12 years, they’ve cultivated hemp, medicinal herbs, and nutrient-dense food using principles rooted in permaculture, biodiversity, and ecological stewardship.
Rather than working against nature, Joey and Tamara have designed their farm to work alongside it.
Healthy soils, companion planting, diverse ecosystems, and thoughtful land management all play a role in producing resilient, expressive plants. Their cultivation practices embrace living soil, natural inputs, and an understanding that every organism on the farm has a purpose. The result is a balanced ecosystem where the health of the land directly influences the quality of the harvest.
During a recent Farm Focus session, Joey and Tamara shared how genetics, environment, and cultivation decisions work together to shape the final expression of a plant. They also discussed their breeding projects, the importance of preserving cannabinoid diversity, and why they believe the future depends on continuing to cultivate Type II and other balanced cannabinoid cultivars alongside today’s high-THC market.
More than anything, they are stewarding land, building soil, and creating a living system designed to become healthier with each passing season.
That philosophy aligns beautifully with the mission of the Ganjier Guild and the people who make up our community. By creating opportunities to meet cultivators like Joey and Tamara, we develop a deeper appreciation for the relationship between cultivation, craftsmanship, and the final experience.
As our Farm Focus series continues, members will put that knowledge into practice during guided calibration sessions, assessing Farm Bill-compliant flower and rosin from Heal Thyself Gardens using the Guild’s newly developed sensory evaluation protocol. This protocol is currently being workshopped through our community and is being developed for use in competitions including the Minnesota Legacy Cup and MJ Unpacked Missouri.
We know that quality begins at the farm. We’re grateful to Joey and Tamara for sharing not only their products, but also their knowledge, generosity, and commitment to farming in harmony with nature. Their work reminds us that some of the healthiest plants—and the most meaningful experiences—come from working with nature, not against it.