4 Stories of Parenting in the Cannabis Garden

The cannabis plant emanates a divine feminine energy. Thus, women growers often share a special relationship with their cannabis gardens—something even more pronounced for moms. The experience of raising a child and growing a plant can have parallels, and can certainly offer unique lessons between the two.

Barbara Jones, Foodoo Farm

In Nevada County, California, Barbara Jones of Foodoo Farm doesn’t choose ‘cides. Pesticides, that is. The mother of two focuses on sustainable and all-natural cultivation practices, including using hemp rope for trellising purposes.

“We’ve seen animals trapped in it,” Jones, aka Babs, said.

For their spring run, Foodoo Farm is growing Humboldt Seed Company’s Durban Poison, Jelly Donutz, and Mint Jelly. When it comes to her favorite HSC varieties, Jones calls out Garlic Butter “for its crazy number of trichomes.”

“I love the variety in size, shape, colors, and nose, and appreciate that everyone gets something different out of their cannabis consumption,” she said.

When asked about the similarities between raising kids and cannabis, Babs simply replied, “Gardens, like kids, thrive when given a lot of love and attention, proper food, water, and time in the sun.”

Kristi Kem, Dope CFO

Kristi Kem began cultivating in 2007 during the Prop 215 days of California. The mother of three teens and chief experience officer at Dope CFO sees several parallels between parenting and cultivation, especially as it relates to both trials and triumphs.

“Both take lots of patience and are incredibly humbling,” she said. “Children and plants teach you that even when you do your best to prepare, things don’t always go as planned. That’s okay, though; most times, the surprise outcome is better than what you intended. Over time, you become a better parent and gardener. With both, the pursuit of perfection is the goal, but good enough effort yields surprisingly beautiful outcomes.”

Kem has grown several HSC varieties, including autos and feminized. Favorites include Emerald Fire OG and Jelly Donutz, cultivated with full sun in living soil.

Tamara Kislak, That Good Good Farm

For Tamara Kislak of That Good Good Farm, cultivating cannabis is a love story. She began her farming journey alongside her high school sweetheart with a passion that’s remained ignited for nearly three decades.

“Since we moved in together, there has not been a place we’ve lived where I wasn’t growing cannabis plants all year long,” Kislak recalled. “From little closet grows, to basements in the city, and now our 10k farm in Mendo, it’s been a fun 28 years.” 

In the midst of their budding garden, Kislak is parenting two kids under the age of 10. Taking care of plants and children offers similar struggles and the same resultant joy.

“Both of them have to be cared for with such intensity when they are little babies, leaving little time for anything else,” Kislak said. “However, if you do your job right: keep them healthy, feed them well, give them the right foundation and structure, they become stronger and capable. Then you can enjoy all the beauty and unique expression they bring to the world, knowing you helped nurture them.” 

That Good Good Farm’s sprawling off-grid property has seen many HSC varieties, including Mango Sherbet and Pineapple Muffin. Kislak specifically enjoys Blueberry Muffin thanks to its “great rich, buttery flavor with a sweet, unique type of fruit nose and great color.” 

And while being a cannabis cultivator and mom has its challenges, the bounty is worth the sweat and tears.

“Farming and parenting are both very hard jobs, but ones that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Nonstop work with amazing rewards,” said Kislak. 

Mary Polson, SEED707

Much like the other women on this list, Mary Polson is busy. The owner of the award-winning SEED707 farm in the Long Valley of Mendocino, California, she spends her days buzzing between her kids of both the plant and human variety. Polson has five children ranging from 13 to 30 years old, along with three granddaughters. 

“With my newborn son in a front pack and a pair of loppers in my hands, I crawled into a large thicket of manzanita and cut away the inside to make my first mommy garden,” Polson reminisced.

Polson added that whether nurturing a baby or a young seedling, she always offers the same motherly energy.

“The love, care, and protection I constantly give to my children is the same love, care, and protection I give to my medicine plants.”

SEED707 has grown a number of HSC strains in its garden, including Notorious THC, Hella Jelly, and Blueberry Muffin. A self-proclaimed terp queen, Polson noted the “terps are always the most amazing with HSC.” 

When not with her family or at the farm, you can find Polson rocking out with her band. While the frenetic display of energy she brings the world each day may seem like an impressive feat, it’s all a mother’s work to her.

“Mothers, no matter how tired, still have time for everyone.”