The Feminine Divine with Woman Cultivator, Heidi Allen with Higher Flower Garden
by Veronica Castillo
“Like most kids growing up in the 70’s and 80’s I learned that Cannabis and anything related to it was just plain bad and bad for you.”- Heidi Allen
From death row guard, to professional truck driver, to cannabis cultivator; Heidi Allen, who grew up in a small town in Oklahoma, turned to plants to heal herself and others. In this series, we highlight women cultivators in Oklahoma and in this interview, Heidi lets us into her life as a child, the trauma’s she has experienced, and lessons learned in and from the cannabis industry.
Through all of that, Higher Flower Garden was born, which seems to have been born from Heidi’s passion:
“I got into the industry about three years ago hoping to turn my love of growing things and my belief in the healing power of nature, into a viable way to make a living. I got into cultivation because I love to grow things. I have always loved plants and have had a long time interest in studying how things grow and what makes them grow.”
Learn more about Heidi’s journey to the Higher Flower Garden below.
Q&A with Heidi Allen of Higher Flower Garden
Did you work in another industry pre-cannabis? What?
“I worked for a while as a guard on death row in Huntsville, Texas, but as soon as I was old enough I began driving a truck over the road. My last job was driving for the World Champion: AMA Motorcycle Racing Team.”
Did you graduate college? If so, what was your major?
“I was pursuing a degree in criminal justice but didn’t finish as I began my trucking career instead.”
Can you describe your journey to the launch of Higher Flower Garden?
“Rocky! Things never seem to turn out as planned. We were made a lot of promises by a lot of people that never materialized and because of this, I simply had to learn my trade and put it into practice to make things work.”
Tell me about your team.
“My team is small; it’s me and a friend of mine named Jen. We handle all the day to day activities of the grow from cloning to harvesting. We have a couple of investors who have been very supportive as well.”
What’s one thing you love and one thing you wish to see changed- industry wise?
“I just love the plants and seeing them grow and getting the finished product from them. I really wish OMMA would be more active in enforcing the regulations, and keep out of state products and illegal grows from making it so tough on smaller boutique setups like ours.”
What’s your favorite strain to grow? Consume?
“As far as consuming, I like the old strains with Skunk #1 being my favorite. Where growing is concerned, I like growing the real Sativa strains. I love to grow beautiful flowers from top of the line genetics. We have set ourselves apart by cultivating via a hydroponics system and producing a high quality connoisseur grade product.”
Any mentors you’d like to mention?
“Unfortunately I really haven’t had any mentors to speak of in this field. I have essentially had to learn on my own. A lot of times I feel like I’m on an island in the industry, but I have made a few friends that are encouraging and helpful.”
Any advice for young women aspiring to become cultivators?
“It’s a man’s industry. Be ready to not be taken seriously or listened to because you’re a woman. You have to have thick skin and know that most men aren’t going to give you credit for what you do or become very jealous at any success you have. Trust yourself and when you know your product is good, don’t let anyone sell you short.
All photo credit: Higher Flower Garden
