Meraki Gardens – OR
After much soul-searching, Stacie Jenkins named her farm for the Greek word meraki, which means to do something with soul, putting a piece of yourself into what you’re doing. Before venturing into the cannabis industry, Jenkins worked as a hair stylist. She loved her job, but her interest in cannabis was piqued when a few of her family members, after ingesting every prescribed pill possible, were cured of pain and illness by using cannabis. Jenkins says she loves being surrounded by the amazing people involved in the industry, from her own team at Meraki to the consumers, vendors and people in the dispensaries all over the state, but she also has altruistic interests. Jenkins and her employees engage in community service projects as a company. They are currently completing a “Jean Drive” to donate jeans and other clothing to shelters, and Jenkins herself volunteers monthly by giving haircuts to the homeless.
The Farm
Jenkins began growing medically in 2013, and as of this December is finishing up her first calendar year growing a recreational harvest. Meraki is a Clean Green Certified farm and uses only sustainably-sourced nutrients for her plants. Its HVAC system unit uses less electricity than a lightbulb, they utilize solar panels, and Meraki was awarded the largest rebate in history from the Energy Trust of Oregon. Aside from the technical aspects of farming, Meraki growers intentionally make daily physical contact with the plants, walking amongst the garden and touching the leaves with their hands. The farm even installed a speaker system that plays music, emitting vibrations to foster happy, healthy development. Before each harvest, Meraki leads employees in a group meditation and blessing of the plants.
The Product
Meraki Gardens has over 100 strains in its genetic catalog — discovering strains and their medical applications is one of Jenkins’s passions. She’s proud to say they’ve developed a strain named Meraki Mango that can help eliminate migraines, and her husband personally vouches for its efficacy. Another of her Meraki favorites is Alien Rock Candy, which she recommends as the most uplifting high you can smoke. I think I need to investigate these claims in a future review!
“Meraki growers intentionally make daily physical contact with the plants, walking amongst the garden and touching the leaves with their hands.”
