SANBORN — Myles Stubblefield has supported the idea of getting cannabis more involved with agriculture and having more education about it.
So when he saw SUNY was connecting several organizations in that context, he wanted his fertilizer business to take part.
“We’re talking about living soils, organic growing at any scale, or even any plant that you want to grow,” Stubblefield said. His company, BFLO Worm Works, was one of many taking part in the second annual SUNY Cannabis Conference at Niagara County Community College. Strong interest compared to last year led the college to expand offerings at the main campus and at Niagara Falls Culinary Institute.
The biggest difference in year two is that offerings were split over two days, with NFCI hosting sessions on Monday as well as CBD-infused food demonstrations. The speakers on campus Tuesday ranged from Dr. Jeffrey Lombardo from the University of Buffalo talking about medical cannabis, to Andrew DeAngelo, a leading cannabis industry adviser, and a panel of California farmers.
Melissa Moore, a co-coordinator of NCCC’s horticulture program who teaches cannabis classes, said both days of the conference were sold out, with some attendees coming from as far away as Virginia, North Carolina, Kansas and California.
BFLO Worm Works in Tonawanda uses worms to break down different waste materials and food scraps, and offers the resulting worm castings for sale as fertilizer. Stubblefield said farmers that he works with have ended up using this fertilizer exclusively since the plants end up healthier.
Using worm castings is not new to growing cannabis, but cultivators and growers want their own on-site composting.
“Helping them, educating them, and consulting with these guys has been a really big thing for us here,” Stubblefield said.
Michael Nicosia came to the conference to showcase Lions Mane Infusions, his brand of honey, oils, balms, and lions mane mushrooms infused with CBD, all of which are processed in Kenmore. He was at last year’s conference and noted there was more of an interest this year.
“Last year it was a lot of people that are already industry people,” Nicosia said. “This year seems like a lot more students and a lot more of the general public coming in.”
The horticulture cannabis classes at NCCC are offered through workforce development; courses are non-credit bearing and scholarships are available. The program is funded by a $1 million state grant obtained in 2022.
“It’s the fastest growing program on campus,” Moore said, adding that between 75 and 100 students are enrolled for the upcoming spring semester.