East Fork Co-Hosts Sun+Earth Oregon Launch Event

Feb 14

On February 3, 2020, East Fork Cultivars co-hosted an informational event celebrating the expansion of Sun+Earth Certified into Oregon. Sun+Earth is a nonprofit regenerative organic certification program for the cannabis industry, created through financial support from sustainability-oriented businesses including soap-maker Dr. Bronner’s.

The certification has approved its first five businesses in Oregon. Our partner Luminous Botanicals has earned the certification, along with with East Fork Cultivars, Green Source Gardens, Oshala Farm, and Phoenix Rising Farms.

Speakers included:

Earl Blumenauer, US Member of Congress (D-OR) and founder of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus
Andrew Black, Executive Director of Sun+Earth Certified
David Bronner, CEO of Dr. Bronner’s and founder of Brother David’s
Sally Alworth, Co-Founder of Luminous Botanicals
Nathan Howard, Co-Founder of East Fork Cultivars
Les Szabo, President of Brother David’s and Board Member of Sun+Earth Certified

"Organic [certification] is mostly about what you shouldn’t do. But regenerative organic is about what you should do," said Bronner. Sun+Earth is a "beyond organic" cannabis certification program, in that it starts with customary limitations on the use of chemicals, but also evaluates regenerative cultivation practices such as composting, cover crops, mulching and reduced tillage. It also includes farm worker and community involvement standards.

“Sun+Earth Certified is a truly rigorous process that means something,” Howard emphasized. “A mix between elements of both B Corp Certification and USDA Organic, Sun+Earth certifies cannabis that is grown under the sun, in the soil, without chemicals, by fairly-paid farmers.”

Alworth of Luminous Botanicals added, “Our customers want to know that the products they’re consuming are made with organic ingredients and sun-grown cannabis, in a chemical-free kitchen where workers are treated fairly. The standards set by Sun+Earth align perfectly with the values of our business and give consumers the seal of approval and confidence they need.”