At HRVSTR, we believe that the best products are born from a synthesis of passion, expertise, and family values. We are more than just a cultivation facility; we are a testament to what happens when dedication meets innovation. As a premier Canadian producer, our story is rooted in a deep respect for the plant and a commitment to the community.
That Thing They Say About Fam & Business…
It is often said not to mix family with business, but at HRVSTR, our family dynamic is our greatest strength. We have built a company culture that treats every plant and every process with the care one would give to their own home. We are a family-owned and operated craft cannabis cultivation and processing facility dedicated to producing premium-grade cannabis for the discerning Canadian market.
Our Leadership: The Architects of Quality
Our foundation is built on the diverse and extensive experience of our founders. They bring a unique blend of horticultural knowledge, technological prowess, and social advocacy to the industry.
Ashley Athill: Co-Founder & CEO
A Visionary Leader and Advocate
Ashley Athill is not just the face of HRVSTR; she is its heart. As an experienced cannabis cultivator and a proud POC female business owner, Ashley is the Co-Founder and CEO of HRVSTR Cannabis. She leads our Health Canada licensed craft cultivation facility with a clear vision: to engage in the creation and cultivation of quality cannabis flower without compromise.
Professional Milestones & Expertise:
- Decade of Dedication: Ashley has spent over 10 years in the industry. Her focus has always been on providing top-shelf quality cannabis to the market.
- Advocacy: She is a fierce advocate for a level playing field, tirelessly working to create opportunities for women and BIPOC communities within the regulated market.
- Educational Background: Prior to cannabis legalization in Canada, Ashley built a cannabis cultivation educational platform. She provided services as an independent education and cultivation consultant, sharing her expertise with HR Departments, small and medium organizations, and various communities.
- Key Skills: Ashley possesses a multifaceted skillset including sales and marketing, high-level organization, creative problem solving, client relationship management, and a keen sense of humor that keeps the team grounded.
Ashley leads by example. Motivated by a relentless pursuit of excellence, she has proven over the years to be a dedicated contributor and a true game-changer to the Canadian cannabis industry.
Michael Athill: Co-Founder & COO
The Intersection of Technology and Agriculture
Michael Athill serves as the Chief Operating Officer, bringing a structural and technological edge to our operations. With over a decade of experience as a digital marketing professional, Michael has a proven track record of success in managing teams, leading committees, and overseeing complex projects.
Operational Excellence:
Michael’s passion for cannabis and its medicinal and recreational benefits is backed by decades of acquired knowledge. He co-founded HRVSTR with Ashley, combining their strengths to create a powerhouse leadership team.
Optimizing the Grow:
Michael applies his prior experience in technology and construction to revolutionize how we grow:
- Environment Optimization: Designing agricultural environments that mimic nature while maintaining clinical cleanliness.
- Workflow Automation: Streamlining workflows through custom automation to reduce human error and increase consistency.
- Inventory Systems: Implementing advanced inventory management systems to ensure traceability from seed to sale.
- Vertical Cultivation: Making the most of available space through vertical cultivation methods, ensuring sustainability and high yield per square foot.
The HRVSTR Methodology: Science Meets Art
We are premium craft cultivators. Period. But what does that mean in practice? It means we don’t cut corners. Our approach to growing is holistic, combining age-old agricultural wisdom with modern ag-tech.
Vertical Cultivation & Sustainability
HRVSTR is at the forefront of the sustainable growing movement. By utilizing vertical farming, we significantly reduce our ecological footprint.
- Energy Efficiency: Vertical stacking allows us to utilize LED lighting more effectively, reducing power consumption compared to traditional HPS setups.
- Water Conservation: Our advanced irrigation systems are designed to minimize waste, recycling water where possible and delivering precise nutrients to the plants.
- Land Use: We produce more canopy in a smaller physical footprint, proving that high-output agriculture doesn’t require vast amounts of land.
The Human Touch in a High-Tech World
While we use automation for environmental monitoring, the plants themselves are tended to by human hands. Our skilled artisan breeders grow and select our cannabis in an ethical and sustainable manner.
- Hand-Trimmed: We avoid industrial tumblers that damage delicate trichomes.
- Slow Cured: We allow our product to cure naturally to preserve the terpene profile.
- Pheno-Hunting: We spend months selecting the best genetics that offer unique flavors and potent effects.
Our Team: A Collective of Experts
Behind our founders stands a robust team of professionals. With over 26 years of combined experience, our team of specialists works tirelessly to provide clean, consistent, and high-quality cannabis products.
This is a close-knit team of experts dedicated to producing the best cannabis products for our customers. We utilize our years of experience to provide the best results, ensuring that every batch released under the HRVSTR label meets our rigorous internal standards before it ever reaches a retailer.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
HRVSTR is proud to be a black-owned, female-led business in a competitive marketplace. We believe that diversity strengthens the industry. Our leadership is actively involved in mentoring the next generation of cannabis entrepreneurs, ensuring that the path to success is open to people from all backgrounds.
When you support HRVSTR, you are not just buying premium cannabis; you are supporting a business model that values equity, representation, and social responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes HRVSTR different from large corporate producers?
As a craft producer, we focus on small-batch cultivation. This allows us to control the environment of every single room and pay attention to every single plant. Large producers often automate the entire process, losing the “soul” of the plant. We balance automation with artisanal care.
Is HRVSTR a licensed producer?
Yes, HRVSTR Cannabis Inc. is a fully licensed cultivation facility under Health Canada regulations. We adhere to the strictest standards of safety, quality control, and testing.
What is Vertical Farming?
Vertical farming involves growing crops in stacked layers. For cannabis, this means we can control the climate (temperature, humidity, airflow) for each layer independently, ensuring uniform growth and density across the entire crop, regardless of where the plant sits in the room.
How does the team choose which strains to grow?
We look for “Unicorn” genetics—strains that have a unique combination of high THC, rare terpenes, and visual appeal. Ashley and the team rigorously test different phenotypes before selecting one for commercial production.
Join the HRVSTR Journey
We invite you to experience the difference that passion makes. Whether you are a connoisseur looking for the next great flavor profile or a medical patient seeking consistent relief, HRVSTR is dedicated to serving you.