
[AUDIO only] Office Hours LIVE Ep. 140: Genetics, R&D, and Scaling Cookies with Jonah Carrington
AROYA Office HoursShow Notes
In episode 140, hosts Cian Sullivan and Jason Van Leuven, Director of Applied Technology at AROYA, are joined by special guest Jonah Carrington, Director of Genetics and R&D for Cookies Humboldt and One Log. Jonah takes us behind the scenes at one of the most diverse and innovative operations in the country, sharing the journey from humble beginnings to building a state-of-the-art genetic hub that drives Cookies' nationwide expansion. From construction and operational challenges in rural Humboldt to the technical nuances of genetic preservation, R&D, and adapting to changing industry demands, Jonah gives an honest look at what it takes to maintain efficiency, accountability, and a strong company culture—while keeping every piece of equipment (and plant) running at its best. We dig into everything from scaling production and developing new strains for both flower and hash to the importance of leveraging data (including AROYA’s advanced crop steering sensors) for repeatable success across different cultivation environments. Along the way, you'll get insights on the realities of tourism myths, market optimism, and why a dedicated, empowered team is the heart of top-tier operations. 00:00 Career Change Leads to Unexpected Journey 05:16 From Indoor Growing to Farming 11:17 "Promote Within: Value of Internal Talent" 17:53 Building Accountability-Driven Culture 25:40 Insights on Strain Yields and Processing 31:42 Optimizing Strain Analysis with Sensors 38:01 Embracing Technology in Agriculture 42:41 Early Challenges in Business Focus 48:21 Legal Industry: Social Adoption Misconceptions 53:18 Evolving and Educating in Industry 57:13 "If You Build It" Optimism
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