Texas Hemp - The New Cali?
Grow World
The Hemp Highway begins in Texas.
In the very first episode of the Hemp Highway Tour, Colton sits down with industry veteran Jeff Funk, founder of Organitek Success Nutrients, flower republic and Yeti Control, for an in-depth conversation about agriculture, controlled environment cultivation, entrepreneurship, and the massive opportunities emerging in Texas.
With decades of experience spanning California, Hawaii, and beyond, Jeff shares stories from the early days of specialty crop production, lessons learned from market booms and downturns, and how modern growers can leverage innovation, automation, and sustainable farming practices to stay competitive.
Topics covered include:
✅ Texas agriculture and emerging market opportunities
✅ Lessons from California's agricultural evolution
✅ Premium product positioning and pricing strategies
✅ Indoor, greenhouse, and outdoor production systems
✅ Automation, nutrient management, and cultivation technology
✅ Sustainable farming practices and aquaponics
✅ Legacy farming families and the future of agriculture
✅ Building successful agricultural businesses
✅ Why customer service and partnerships matter more than ever
This episode is packed with practical insights for growers, farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the future of controlled environment agriculture.
Subscribe and follow along as the Hemp Highway Tour travels across Texas meeting the growers, innovators, and operators shaping the future of the industry.
00:00 Introduction
00:10 Welcome to the First Hemp Highway Stop
00:38 Jeff Funk's Background & Early Growing Experience
01:26 Hawaii, Outdoor Cultivation & Natural Farming
02:25 California's Emerald Triangle Years
04:20 Similarities Between Texas and Early California Markets
05:20 Legacy Experience vs. Modern Thinking
07:44 Market Pricing, Premium Products & Profitability
10:02 California Legalization and Market Changes
12:25 Holding the Line on Product Value
15:44 Texas Pricing, Branding & Retail Strategy
17:35 Direct-to-Consumer Opportunities
19:11 California Wine vs. Texas Agriculture Opportunity
20:57 Why Texas Is One of the Biggest Opportunities Today
21:39 Outdoor Production, Climate & Energy Costs
23:23 Aquaponics, Sustainability & Education
25:21 Texas First Impressions
26:30 Organitek: Philosophy & Product Development
29:47 The Evolution of Organitech, Success & Yeti Control
36:18 Why Customer Service Matters in Agriculture
37:54 Building Long-Term Partnerships with Growers
39:12 Nutrient Strategies & Specialty Crop Production
42:18 Consumer Education & Product Experience
45:45 The Texas Agricultural Movement
47:01 Bridging Traditional Agriculture and Emerging Crops
49:20 Saving Family Farms Through Diversification
50:56 The Role of the Texas Department of Agriculture
52:56 Building Careers in Agriculture
53:25 Innovation, Research & Future Production Methods
54:23 Final Thoughts and Tour Kickoff
55:02 What's Next on the Hemp Highway Tour
55:15 Closing Remarks & Outro