Cannaverse - October 2024 Community Spotlight

🌱 Natural Harvest – Pioneering Minnesota’s Cannabis Home Growing Movement

This month, we shine a light on Natural Harvest, a cannabis seed company founded by Leah Kollross, along with the support from her husband, Kasey, who have quickly made a name for themselves in Minnesota’s growing cannabis industry. Through their efforts, Natural Harvest is helping Minnesotans embrace the freedom and benefits of home cannabis cultivation, while also playing a key role in fostering a connected and inclusive cannabis community.

Nurturing Minnesota’s Home Growers

On August 1, 2023, as Minnesota legalized cannabis seeds, Natural Harvest officially launched, giving home growers access to over 1,000 seed varieties. From urban apartment dwellers with limited space to rural residents with large outdoor plots, Leah and Kasey are committed to making cannabis growing accessible to all. Their platform, MinnesotaCannabisSeeds.com, caters to beginners and experienced growers alike, offering a wide selection of seed strains, and more importantly, the tools and knowledge needed to succeed.

Leah and Kasey’s vision extends beyond simply selling seeds—they are passionate about educating customers on how to cultivate their own cannabis. At events, such as the Legacy Cup and Garrison Hempfest, they provide hands-on advice and materials to help new growers understand the nuances of cultivation. By offering personalized guidance through brochures and seed kits, they are helping to demystify the process of growing cannabis at home, fostering a sense of empowerment in their customers.

Cultivating Community and Breaking Barriers

Leah and Kasey’s journey into the cannabis industry wasn’t just about starting a business—it was about finding and building a community. In the early stages, they attended local events, such as those hosted by Canna Connect, to meet fellow cannabis enthusiasts and industry players. Initially, they didn’t know many people in the space, but by consistently showing up, they quickly became well-known faces at cannabis events across the state.

The couple emphasizes that their success is rooted in the welcoming nature of Minnesota’s cannabis community. “At first, we didn’t know anyone, but now we go to events and recognize many familiar faces,” Leah shared during an interview with our very own Stephen Eigenmann on the Northern Lights Podcast. Their participation in community events has not only helped them grow their customer base but also fostered meaningful relationships with other industry leaders.

Despite their success, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Leah faced employment discrimination when she was fired from her job after her employer discovered her involvement with Sprout Cannabis, a sister company to Natural Harvest. This experience highlights the persistent stigma surrounding cannabis, even as the industry grows. However, Leah’s determination to normalize cannabis use and create an inclusive community remains stronger than ever.

Expanding the Vision: Future Growth

Leah and Kasey aren’t stopping with Natural Harvest. Their team includes Yoni Reinhartz, a local Minnesota entrepreneur deeply involved in the Minnesota cannabis community, Serobert Gulley, their design expert, Human Being, an industry veteran from Northern California, Alysha Bellamy, Chef, and the driving force behind their tasty creations, along with numerous strategic partners and advisors working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring Leah’s vision to life, are all working on expanding Sprout Cannabis, a company that will offer innovative cannabis products in the future. Through their dedication to product development and industry involvement, they aim to help shape the future of Minnesota’s cannabis landscape.

The duo’s entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to the community, and drive to break down barriers make them leaders in Minnesota’s cannabis industry. Their approach to education, quality, and inclusion is creating a ripple effect throughout the state, making Natural Harvest a cornerstone in the emerging cannabis market.

Natural Harvest isn’t just about growing plants—it’s about growing a movement. Visit minnesotacannabisseeds.com to explore their products and join the revolution of home cannabis growing in Minnesota.

This spotlight draws from insights shared by Leah and Kasey Kollross during their appearance on the Northern Lights Podcast​.