CO-FOUNDER, PRESIDENT

Joseph Calderone has 10 years consulting experience in cultivation, processing and dispensary operations. His consultancy, TreeFrog, worked closely with Schwazze (former Medicine Man Technologies), a publicly traded operator in Colorado. In this capacity, he supported both medical and recreational applications in 11 states helping to build a database of actionable documents that address all areas of the Cannabis Industry value chain, including but not limited to Operating Plans, SOPs, Diversity & Inclusion Plans, Environmental Impact, Product Recall, Record Keeping and more. In the area of genetics, Joseph worked with Cornell University's school of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). His unique cultivar genetics helped establish the USDA National Hemp Germplasm Laboratory in Geneva, New York (in partnership with Cornell). He has also collaborated with brands in the areas of multi-cannabinoid product formulation. In New York, he helped secure a $10 million dollar conduit bond financing for hemp processing and extraction. More than anything Joseph is inspired by the ethnobotanical and ethical-botanical characteristics while also dedicating himself to the botanical and biochemical aspects of this incredible cannabis plant. His work with the Hourani, Sapara, Achuar, Shuar and Kichwa indigenous groups in the Amazon through participatory practices in sustainable development shaped his interest in joining this interesting yet exasperating industry. He is CEO/CCO of Grateful Valley Farms (AUCC #34), Co-Founder and Board Member of Cannabis Farmers Alliance (CFA), and a proud member of Farm Bureau. Prior to the Cannabis Industry, Joseph worked in the areas of Finance, Start-up, Web 2.0, Risk Management, IT, Data Science, Public Relations, Brand Marketing and Communications, and Copyrighting (to name a few). He holds an MBA from POLIMI Graduate School of Management (Milan, Italy), an MFA in Writing/Poetics from the Buddhist, Naropa University (Jack Kerouac Award Scholar) and a BA in History/Government from Georgetown University. In addition he holds a variety of Executive Education certifications from MIT in Data Science and Cybersecurity. He speaks Italian, Spanish and possesses knowledge of a variety of other languages. https://www.treefrogs.co/https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephecalderone/www.emplantx.com

CO-FOUNDER, TREASURER

Tess Interlicchia is a board-certified nurse practitioner. She started her 25-year-long career at the age of 16 by caring for the elderly. Tess went on to complete her registered nursing degree by the age of 22 and worked in various areas of nursing. She then went on to receive a Master of Science in Nursing at Frontier Nursing University. She has worked in many diverse areas including home health care, family medicine, women’s health, pediatrics, psychiatry, geriatrics, community health, addictions medicine, weight loss, nutrition, pain management, and functional medicine, including establishing her own private practice. She is currently pursuing her post-graduate degree in psychiatry. Tess has a love for natural and holistic medicine, wellness and spirituality. Her practice combines conventional and alternative therapies, emphasizing the interconnectedness of body, mind, and environment. Tess has been a lifelong advocate for cannabis. She purchased her organic farm, Grateful Valley Farm, to cultivate hemp for CBD from 2019-2021. Tess was one of the first 52 licensed AUCCs in April of 2022. As a CFA cofounder, she was instrumental in the formation of the CFA. She has served as secretary as well as treasurer. Her true passion for cannabis as medicine has been the driving factor behind cultivating cannabis with regenerative farming practices. As a integrative/functional family nurse practitioner, has helped thousands of New Yorkers get access to medical cannabis. Her passion has been to help improve her patients quality of life as well as making end of life more comfortable with cannabis. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children, cooking, yoga, and caring for her plants and animals on her farm.

CO-FOUNDER, VICE PRESIDENT

Stephen Halton is the CEO and founder of Real Life Botanicals, a leading sun-grown cannabis cultivator in New York. Under his leadership, Real Life Botanicals has rapidly climbed the ranks in sales, solidifying its place among the top cannabis brands in the state. Known for its commitment to regenerative farming and all-natural products, the company has gained a strong reputation for quality and consistency, becoming a go-to choice for dispensaries and consumers alike.

Beyond cultivation, Stephen has played a key role in shaping the industry, working with the SUNY Cannabis Curriculum, serving on the Cornell Agricultural Advisory Committee, and being an active member of the Hemp Feed Coalition. His expertise spans both the cannabis and hemp industries, with a focus on sustainable innovations like bioplastics, biochar, and hemp graphene.

With deep roots in agriculture, Stephen's passion for farming started in his youth, growing up around his family's dairy farm in Cazenovia, NY. This early connection to the land fueled his drive to create a business that not only thrives in the cannabis market but also prioritizes environmental responsibility and the advancement of sustainable hemp-based solutions.

His vision for Real Life Botanicals extends beyond cultivation—he is committed to expanding product offerings, advocating for fair policies for small cannabis farmers, and continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible in sustainable cannabis production.

CO-FOUNDER

Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Justin "Justice" Merkel is a passionate cannabis grower and advocate. With a deep love for the plant, he co-founded the Cannabis Farmers Alliance to promote sustainable practices and support the cannabis community. Additionally, he founded Starlit420, a space-themed company that merges his enthusiasm for cannabis with innovative concepts. While he has over 20 years of experience as a mechanical engineer and HVAC business owner, Justin's true dedication lies in advancing the cannabis industry and celebrating its many benefits.

CO-FOUNDER, SECRETARY

Kate Miller has a MA in Sustainable Development with a concentration in Policy Analysis and Advocacy. For the last 15 years, she has been the owner and farmer at Weathertop Farm in Sharon Springs, where they specialize in certified organic herbs and berries. The herbs and fruit are used to make a line of organic drink mixers and teas under the Weathertop brand. Kate’s cannabis company is Peregrine Toke, which sells their small batch flower in locations around the capital district. Prior to farming, Kate's background is quite varied, working for many years in human services as a Director of Residential Programs for children and adults in conjunction with the MD Department of Juvenile Justice and Developmental Disability Administration. She also has an AA in Professional Cooking and Baking and moved to Ireland to take a position with a hotel as a pastry chef. While there she was recruited by the HSE to run early intervention programs for at-risk teens for several years. While working on her MA thesis, Kate moved to New Delhi, India to work with renowned environmental activist Vandana Shiva, spending her time focusing mainly on anti GMO campaigns, teaching basic activism skills to teens, and small scale organic farming. After returning to the States and starting Weathertop Farm, Kate attended the Clinical Herbalist program at the North East School for Botanical Medicine, studying under 7Song. Kate is passionate about plant medicine, supporting local economies, and creating an equitable, fair and inclusive cannabis community where all growers can thrive and reach their full professional and economic potential. 

CO-FOUNDER

Nic Fera is the co-owner, co-founder, and Director of Cultivation at Goldfinch Flora LLC, a family-owned cannabis microbusiness in Amsterdam, NY. Established in 2022, Goldfinch Flora is a certified woman-owned business dedicated to high-quality cannabis flower and solventless products in Fulton County.

Nic’s background spans multiple craft industries. From 2005 to 2017, he worked in specialty coffee and craft beverage companies, spending the latter half of that time in training, team leadership, and management roles. Drawing also from his background in graphic design, marketing, and small craft start-ups, Nic shaped the brand identity and business strategy for Goldfinch Flora LLC, bringing his experience in agile, hands-on industries to the cannabis space.

In 2017, Nic co-founded Leaning Birch Farm with his parents, establishing a regenerative vegetable farm serving the Saratoga, Amsterdam, and Schenectady regions of New York. By 2019, the farm became licensed for hemp production, marking Nic’s transition into commercial cannabis cultivation, where a lifelong passion for the plant was merged with his love and experience of sustainable farming and land stewardship.

Beyond farming, Nic has contributed to strengthening local agricultural networks, serving a term on the Board of Directors for the Saratoga Farmers' Market Association. His expertise in sustainable cultivation, craft business development, and community-focused farming continues to guide his work and advocacy in cannabis and agriculture.