Gal pals ban all modern comforts to live completely ‘off grid’ on Californian cannabis farm – but have to fend off bears
THREE women who moved to the California countryside to live off the grid and grow cannabis have shared pictures of their new lives. Doris, 39, Amy, 31, and Lexie, 28, became self-sufficient by starting up their own farm, and now document the experience on Instagram account Girls Off Grid. Posts often show the women working […]
THREE women who moved to the California countryside to live off the grid and grow cannabis have shared pictures of their new lives.
Doris, 39, Amy, 31, and Lexie, 28, became self-sufficient by starting up their own farm, and now document the experience on Instagram account Girls Off Grid.
Posts often show the women working on the farm, posing with their produce, and relaxing with seasonal volunteers.
The farm now boasts 65 sheep, 60 goats, 40 chickens, 15 ducks, eight guinea hens, three alpacas, two turkeys, two horses, two dogs, two cats, and a pig.
They previously made profit by selling cannabis, but changes to county laws meant they were no longer allowed to grow it for commercial use.
They now get their revenue through the sale of fertiliser and walnuts.
Speaking about her Instagram account, Doris said: “I created Girls Gone Off-Grid as sort of a spoof on Girls Gone Wild, explains Doris, the founder of the enterprise.
“I figured we can lure in followers with our sexuality but then show them that we are actually doing some real farm s**t.”
Far from having an agricultural background, Doris grew up the daughter of the owner of San Francisco’s largest beer distribution company.
“Back in those days I was always wearing designer clothes, and I literally always wore heels,” she said.
“I hated not being clean, and wasn’t into any outdoor activities that wasn’t shopping or hanging out by a pool or beach.”
After her father sold his firm, Doris entered the organic fertiliser industry, later becoming interested eating more organic food herself.
“Working in the agriculture industry, meeting farmers and seeing all the crap they spray on our food made me realize that I wanted to grow and raise everything I could myself,” she said.
“What was great about starting my farming life in industry was the knowledge I picked up,” she said.
“To sell fertilizer to farmers, I had to learn the science behind it all.
“I took courses, read books and learned soil science, plant pathology, microbiology.
“Those type of skills are crucial for running a successful farm.”
But life on the farm can be difficult, particularly when it comes to protecting the livestock.
“The worst is when a bear eats half an animal, and leaves it alive for me to find in the morning,” says Doris.
“That’s happened twice.
“A pig with its shoulder eaten off, still totally alive but obviously not going to make it.
“It’s probably the hardest job around when an animal is sick or injured or born deformed and I have to shoot them.”
The group are now expanding the farm to provide retreats, courses, and accommodation for guests.
“This year we are building two more tiny houses to rent on Airbnb, our one last year was a hit and I did zero marketing,” Doris said.
LATEST IN US NEWS
“The different retreats will include yoga, permaculture, animal husbandry, women’s, health, native American culture, herbal tinctures and more.
“I’m an entrepreneur at heart so I’ll always be creating new business, whether it be products or services, but all of them will be centred around this lifestyle.”
GOT a story? EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.com.