Faith Ann Sparks was raised in the garden by a lineage extending from fruit growers in Sicily. An alumnus of both Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy majoring in Horticulture with a concentration in sustainable organic systems and Cornell University with a Master of Agriculture and Life Science in the field of Hemp Science – Faith has studied a vast range of crops. She has particular expertise in apples, peaches, rice, maize, blueberries, raspberries, wheat, tomato, banana, brassicas, sunflowers, costa, garlic, and most thoroughly, cannabis. Her deep knowledge of plant sciences sets her apart from the average master grower and makes her a valuable source of expertise for any project big or small. After spending time in the commercial cannabis industry as a grower in Michigan, and over 5 years in university laboratories mastering tissue culture, genetic transformation, and molecular cloning – she has taken to the field to answer the industry’s toughest questions and conceptualize client dreams for sustainable in-house tissue culture for small and large-scale farmers alike.

Faith has already developed active hemp tissue culture protocol for both Cornell University (Agritech) and the USDA Agricultural Resource Service in Geneva New York. As of the date of this publication Faith is one of just a handful of people in the world who have mastered the skill of genetic transformation in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) – a practice which has  revolutionized breeding efforts in both hemp and cannabis in recent years.

In addition to her traditional education, Faith continues to hone her permaculture skills at Three Story Farm and Esty Community Garden in Ithaca, NY where she provides informed guidance and boots-on-the-ground labor for her local community.

In her spare time, Faith grows and preserves herbs, vegetables, cut flowers, fruits, and more on her modest 1.25-acre homestead in Ithaca, NY, where she raises her family.