Montana Living Soil Alliance

Requirements for Growers

We are committed to promoting sustainable cultivation and business practices in the cannabis community. If you are interesting in joining the network, here are the requirements for membership:

• A strong understanding of regenerative agriculture, natural farming, and soil food web

• A commitment to sustainable and ethical cultivation and business practices

• No corporate out of state business involvement

• No predatory business activity

• Montana cultivation license

• No use of non-organic pesticides

• Growing in large containers reusing soil continuously

• No use of salt based nutrients outside of organic amendments such as seawater and epsom salt

Soil Biodiversity: Soil biodiversity plays a crucial role in maintaining a balanced soil ecosystem for cannabis plants, promoting healthy growth and a reduction in environmental stress. 

Water Management: The use of water management and proper irrigation practices helps control water runoff and results in more efficient water use. Plant size, temperature, humidity, and light intensity all influence how much water cannabis plants need, and appropriate water management is essential for ensuring healthy plant growth, optimizing yields, and conserving resources.

Natural Integrated Pest Management: The use of predatory bugs and companion plants help cannabis plants thrive and reduce the need for synthetic pesticides. Our sustainable, bio-integrated farming systems use massive colonies of microbes, worms, and beneficial insects to help cultivate healthy plants and maintain a low carbon footprint. 

Organic Matter + Fungal Dominance: Organic matter and fungal dominance play a crucial role in the health and productivity of cannabis plants, particularly in a living soil environment. By improving soil structure and water retention, enhancing root health, promoting cannabinoid and terpene production, and enhancing overall soil fertility, these practices result in healthier plants and enhanced health benefits for the consumer. 

Nutrient Cycling - Nutrient cycling is a vital process in cannabis cultivation, where it helps maintain a healthy, balanced ecosystem that supports plant growth. Nutrient cycling promotes balanced nutrient uptake and reduces need for additional inputs, reducing fertilizer runoff and environmental impact. This approach not only benefits the plants but also promotes long-term soil health and biodiversity.

Cover Crops + Mulching - The use of cover crops and mulch provide an ecologically friendly means of soil support and protection. These practices improve overall soil health, enhance plant growth, help with pest management, disease suppression, and weed growth while further reducing the need for external inputs. 

No-Till Farming - No-till farming is a sustainable agricultural practice that significantly contributes to maintaining soil integrity. By avoiding the disruption of soil through tilling, no-till farming preserves the natural structure, fertility, and health of the soil. This practice helps eliminate compaction and erosion, enhances soil microbial life, promotes soil biodiversity, and improves organic matter retention.