In the rolling hills of southeastern Minnesota’s farm country, a unique crop is being harvested. The Prairie Island Indian Community, which operates the Island Pězi marijuana dispensary near Treasure Island Casino, has cultivated a large and diverse crop of cannabis. The 13-acre farm, managed by Good Steward, is one of the largest legal cannabis crops in the state, with an estimated 2,000 pounds of harvest.
The farm is a hub of activity, with a team of 40 employees, including 14 enrolled tribal members, working together to bring in the crop. The operation is divided into eight greenhouses and over 2 acres of outdoor cultivation, using a regenerative-farming philosophy that promotes healthy microbiology in the soil.
The farm’s head of cultivation, Mike Knoebel, explained that the goal is to create a sustainable and efficient operation that can produce high-quality cannabis year-round. To achieve this, the farm uses a combination of indoor and outdoor cultivation, as well as advanced technology to monitor and control the growing conditions.
The Prairie Island Indian Community is also on the verge of signing a cannabis compact with the state, which would allow them to license up to eight retail stores, as well as additional cultivation and manufacturing facilities, outside of tribal lands. This would enable them to wholesale cannabis to state-licensed businesses and help meet the demand for legal marijuana in Minnesota.
The farm’s CEO, Tri Trong Nguyen, has a complicated legal history, having been convicted of trafficking and money laundering in 2017. However, the Prairie Island Indian Community has stated that they thoroughly vetted Nguyen and his company before licensing them, and that the partnership aligns with their support of social equity efforts and non-discrimination against those disproportionately affected by prior marijuana prohibition.
As the farm continues to grow and produce high-quality cannabis, it is expected to play a significant role in meeting the demand for legal marijuana in Minnesota. With its unique blend of traditional farming practices and modern technology, the Prairie Island Indian Community’s cannabis farm is setting a new standard for the industry.
