In our latest feature on Washington’s best cannabis growers, we met up with Jeffrey McCoy, Head of Cultivation for 1937 Farms. As a family run operation, 1937 Farms takes an extremely hand-on approach where a close-knit group of family and friends from the local Duvall, WA community cares for each plant daily. Putting such a high amount of love into each plant results in flowers that look fantastic, taste great, and produce a stellar high.
A Decades Long Love of Cannabis
While 1937 Farms was founded in 2014, co-founders Jeffrey and Matt McCoy developed an appreciation of cannabis much earlier in life. Growing up in Southern California, cannabis was part of the lifestyle and always available. Cannabis plays a big role in surfing culture, and Jeffrey was an avid surfer from an early age. His first growing experience came during his junior year of high school and he quickly fell in love with the process. At the same time, Matt was a rising football star and found cannabis helpful for dealing with pain after playing.
Matt went on to play in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – before finishing his career at the best team in the league – the Seattle Seahawks. As Matt’s football career thrived, Jeffrey became a financial advisor in Laguna Beach. Jeffrey soon became disenchanted with the job, especially after many of his clients told him that he was too talented to dwindle his years away in a corporate office. Jeffrey decided to take a leave of absence, spending his time fishing and surfing.
Just as Jeffrey was settling into a more relaxed pace of life, Matt contacted him with a plan. Applications were being accepted for cultivation licenses in Washington State and Matt had applied. After winning a license in 2014, it took another 2-3 years before 1937 Farms obtained all the necessary permits to begin their operation. Fast forward to today and 1937 Farms now employs over a dozen people, with exciting expansion plans coming soon.
Growing with Love, Care, Family, and Neighbors
1937 Farms utilizes what Jeffrey calls a hybrid hydro process to raise their plants. This means that they use organic soil for the vegetative stage, before transitioning the plants to a hydroponic system for the flowering stage. 1937 Farms feeds the soil with 25 different nutrients in order to rapidly develop massive root balls. Once the plants mature, they are moved to a 50/50 coco-perlite mix while keeping the original soil root balls intact. This system allows the plants to get the best of both worlds; more protection from stress when they are young and more opportunity for growth when the colas are thickening out.
A great deal of pride is taken at 1937 Farms about their natural, hands-on approach. To keep away pests, they never spray their plants with chemicals. Instead, they use beetles, nematodes, and ladybugs to naturally keep pests away. Since they only use a few automated systems, nutrients are hand poured and plants are individually checked each day. Very little waste is created, and leftover soil is repurposed to create a thriving organic summer vegetable garden.
Harvest day comes once a month, where 300 plants are chopped down and hung to dry for 11-14 days depending on the strain. During this time the harvest is kept between 60-62 degrees at 60-62 percent humidity. After the hang dries, fat nugs are trimmed and cured in 1LB turkey bags. The sticky, frosty nugs are burped for 10 days, until the flower is finally ready to hit the shelves at Have a Heart stores across Washington State.
Grow What You Love, Smoke What You Grow
Genetics have been sourced from top California breeders that Jeffrey has looked up to for decades. Being close friends with breeders like Aficionado Genetics, has allowed 1937 Farms to stay ahead of the latest fads and select quality genetics that they know people will love. But despite certain strains rising and falling in popularity each year, Jeffrey usually keeps it simple by selecting strains that he loves to smoke.
At any given time, you can expect 1937 Farms to offer a couple of sativas, and a few more hybrids and indicas. They have a lot of new genetics coming down the pipeline and a big expansion on the way. So the future is looking bright for people who like to try out new, high-quality genetics from some of the best growers in the nation.
Strains to Look for a Have a Heart
While everything 1937 Farms produces is excellent, we especially recommend Mimosa, Cake Crasher, and Orange Push Pop. Mimosa is a great wake and bake strain that smells exactly like its namesake – perfect for creative, artsy endeavors, or even just cleaning the house. Cake Crasher offers a sweet smelling, very relaxing high that is a wonderful compliment to surfing, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Finally, Orange Push Pop is a tangerine tasting strain that will lock you to the couch to settle in for a cozy night.
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