Cannabis & Hemp Week Preview: Meet Griffin’s Erica Hernandez
Presented by Cannabis Product News, Cannabis & Hemp Week will feature a panel discussion of experienced growers as they discuss the real world of growing cannabis and hemp both indoors and outdoors. Panelists will share insight on the everyday issues growers face and how they deal with them to grow healthy and profitable hemp and cannabis crops. Cannabis Product News talked with panelist Erica Hernandez to learn more about her role at Griffin and her experience with cannabis and hemp.
Tales from the Greenhouse and Field
Erica Hernandez
Technical Specialist, Griffin
What does a typical day look like for you at Griffin?
A typical day involves answering customer questions on both email and phone, as well as interacting with sales reps and customer service reps to help answer technical product questions. As part of my job, I also help prepare training presentations on new products or common questions from the field, so our reps are better prepared to help customers with products and issues.
What did you study in college and where did you graduate from?
I got my Bachelors of Science in Plant Science from the University of Arizona in Tucson and my MS in Horticultural Biology from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
What is your experience with cannabis and hemp?
I have had the opportunity to work with growers across the U.S. troubleshooting issues, designing fertilizer programming, implementing pest control strategies, and keeping up with current academic research for the past couple of years.
What about cannabis/hemp intrigues you the most?
It’s an exciting time in the horticulture industry right now with the legalization of cannabis and hemp. Eventually, cannabis and hemp will be well established horticultural crops. Many in the industry are trying to take them in this direction. However, we’re not there yet. As a technical specialist and horticulturist, I can be on the forefront of standardizing protocols, identifying diseases, and categorizing this crop’s response to various issues encountered in the production process.
Can you tell us what you think separates Griffin from the pack?
Griffin has a strong background in ornamental horticulture and prioritizes science and good horticultural practices over flash-in-the-pan trends or products. Having been around for many decades, there is a lot of great experience to draw upon within the company as a whole.
What in your opinion, do you think the future holds for this industry? What’s the next big ‘thing’?
I think the next big thing will be, first, federal legalization, and second, breeding programs to stabilize genetics and move toward seed rather than clone production.
How can a viewer reach out to you after the panel discussion?
I am available at my Griffin email,ehernandez@griffinmail.com, and via the GGSPro email address, ggsprotech@griffinmail.com.
Click here to register for Cannabis & Hemp Week – presented by Cannabis Product News, Hemp Production News and GPN.
