The founders of The Grow-Off: Samantha Sandt and Jake Browne. The Grow-Off is a new cannabis growing competition whose goal is to eliminate the subjectivity present in prior cannabis competitions. All competitors receive the same unknown strain of cannabis and can compete in three categories: Potency, Flavor, and Yield. The following is an interview with industry leaders. Growers Network does not endorse nor evaluate the claims of our interviewees, nor do they influence our editorial process. We thank our interviewees for their time and effort so we can continue our exclusive Growers Spotlight service.
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The Grow-Off Basics
The Grow-Off intends to eliminate the subjectivity found in many cannabis competitions. To achieve this goal, every competing grower is given a clone of the same unknown strain of cannabis. They are allowed to raise the clone via whatever methods they believe are best and allowed by Colorado state law. The cannabis will then be collected in early February and submitted for laboratory testing. Based on the results of the laboratory testing, winners will be selected for Potency, Flavor, and Yield.
More Details
The Quantitative Quest for the Best
That’s the point of The Grow-Off: identify winners based on measurable results.— Samantha Sandt
What was your inspiration for starting The Grow-Off?
- Best Medical Hybrid/Sativa/Indica Concentrates
- Best Medical Hybrid/Sativa/Indica Flowers
- Best CBD Flower/Concentrate/Edibles
- And many more!
What was the biggest hurdle you faced this year, and how was it handled?
What do you hope to learn from The Grow-Off?
Top winners in each category (Potency, Flavor and Yield) will be celebrated across multiple media outlets. We also plan to discuss why these growers did better than the rest with the help of Grownetics.
That’s the point of The Grow-Off: identify winners based on measurable results and educate the public as to why they’re doing better than the rest, while helping other competitors improve for next time.
They’re not required to, but we hope they don’t mind opening up about some of their processes. We’d never ask someone to put down their entire operation on paper and give it to their competition, because, in some cases, it’s their life’s work. We want to honor that while still helping move everyone forward.
What does The Grow-Off mean for smaller grow operations? What does it mean for larger grow operations?
What metrics are you testing from the final samples?
Even though the strain chosen is secret, how did you select the genetics for this year's Grow-Off?
No one.Do you think the scientific testing you are employing for the competition will be used in the broader industry?
Will the competition expand into other states with recreational cannabis?
We’re hoping to launch a medical competition next in Colorado and will be announcing that in the next few months.
That will depend on our genetics partner and how many clones they can make available to our competitors. Ideally we’ll never have less than 40 competitors in any one competition.
How do you think The Grow-Off will influence commercial cannabis cultivation?
What the Competitors are Saying
Why did you enter The Grow-Off?
Good Meds – Keenan Brown – Head Grower We decided to enter the grow off to showcase our Lead Gardener and Grow Staff abilities as compared to other top companies in the industry. We strongly believe we have some of the best gardening talent in the Colorado area.
Sweet Grass Kitchen – Jesse Burns – Director of Marketing As an edible manufacturer we saw the Grow-Off as an opportunity to demonstrate our often overlooked skills at growing the cannabis plant. Many edibles companies use exclusively trim to produce their products whereas Sweet Grass Kitchen uses mostly whole flower to infuse our cannabutter. In addition to highlighting our grow, this competition has allowed us to playfully compete against our customers who purchase and sell our baked good products in their dispensaries.
The Clinic – Josh Malman – Grow Operations Manager To compete against other growers in the state in a new and interesting competition.
Natural Alternatives for Health – Josh Bowman – Master Grower Competition keeps work fun, also its fun to have such a diverse community to compare yourself to.
Which category are you trying to win: Potency, Flavor, and/or Yield?
Good Meds – Keenan Brown – Head Grower ALL OF THE ABOVE. Here at Good Meds, we leave no stone unturned when it comes to the overall quality and production of flower our facility is putting out!
Sweet Grass Kitchen – Jesse Burns – Director of Marketing We are competing for flavor and potency. As an edible producer with a small, boutique grow room we search for that perfect balance of potency and weight.
The Clinic – Josh Malman – Grow Operations Manager All of them!! I don’t think that Yield, Potency and Flavor have to be mutually exclusive. With the right genetics and growing techniques, you should be able to get good results in all three categories.
Natural Alternatives for Health – Josh Bowman – Master Grower Flavor is our most sought after award. Because we grow organically we should have an edge.
What strain do you think you are growing?
Good Meds – Keenan Brown – Head Grower The growth traits and leaf structure of this plant leads me to believe it is some sort of “OG” or “Sour” variety.
Sweet Grass Kitchen – Jesse Burns – Director of Marketing If we get one guess it’s Do-si-dos. If we get three guesses let’s throw in Triangle Kush and Platinum Cookie.
The Clinic – Josh Malman – Grow Operations Manager Definitely leaning towards an OG, with the stretch both in veg and flower and the flower structure. Has hints of lemon (limonene) and pine (pinene).
Natural Alternatives for Health – Josh Bowman – Master Grower Some kind of OG hybrid is my best guess.
Editor’s Note: We noticed that all the respondents believe the strain to be some kind of OG. We’re interested in finding out once the results are available! Also, today we learned during the process of research, that OG originally stood for “Ocean-Grown”. Thanks Leafly!
What is your competitive advantage?
Good Meds – Keenan Brown – Head Grower Having graduated from CSU with a degree in Horticultural Science and a concentration in Food Crop production, I believe my formal education gives me a leg up on the competition. Having over a decade of hands on experience with the Cannabis plant and hydroponic equipment, my intuition and understanding of the plants’ needs is my strongest advantage.
Sweet Grass Kitchen – Jesse Burns – Director of Marketing At Sweet Grass Kitchen we have one grower (who actually also does our butter infusions). As a one-man show with a small controlled room we are able to focus on microbiology and create a healthy, holistic growing environment. More than anything though we shower the grow with the same good vibes and love that we give the cookies that come out of the oven everyday.
The Clinic – Josh Malman – Grow Operations Manager Highest quality lights in veg created a healthy, large plant. High quality, knowledgeable growers.
Natural Alternatives for Health – Josh Bowman – Master Grower Our competitive advantage is growing organically. By avoiding synthetic fertilizers we consistently have a smooth flavorful smoke, just as nature intended!
Do you hope to participate in this even next year and why?
Good Meds – Keenan Brown – Head Grower We would love to continue to participate in the Grow Off competition and showcase our talents!
Sweet Grass Kitchen – Jesse Burns – Director of Marketing We want to keep competing! The Grow-Off team has created a really unique platform to share, learn, and become better growers as well as building a community around legal growing.
The Clinic – Josh Malman – Grow Operations Manager Yes, a very cool new twist on cannabis competitions
Natural Alternatives for Health – Josh Bowman – Master Grower Yes, we hope to participate in every competition we can. It helps us to continue to grow and push ourselves.
Would you classify your cultivation facility as small, medium, or large?
Good Meds – Keenan Brown – Head Grower Large
Sweet Grass Kitchen – Jesse Burns – Director of Marketing Boutique 😉
The Clinic – Josh Malman – Grow Operations Manager Medium
Natural Alternatives for Health – Josh Bowman – Master Grower Small, definitely one of the mom and pop shops in the competition.
Want to get in touch with The Grow-Off? You can reach The Grow-Off via the following methods:
- Website Contact Form
- Phone: 720-371-2860
- Email: info@thegrowoff.com
Resources:
- Want to learn more? Head to The Grow-Off website.
- Sponsor of The Grow-Off: Grownetics
- Laboratory performing tests: TEQ Analytical Labs
- Strain Supplier: Natural Remedies
- High Times Cannabis Cup
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