05/08/2026
Mendo Cup weekend has indeed become a tradition already here in the heart of the Emerald Triangle. For us it began Saturday May 2nd with the gathering of the Judges from noon until 7:30. They all had received 1 gram samples ahead of time to get to know them, so at the gathering they looked closely at big buds in their jars to really decide which ones rocked their boats.
As judge Omar Figeuroa said, "each jar has a unique incense aroma and an incredible bud." Choosing the top 5 placed winners and 5 more for honorable mentions was not an easy task.
One of our judges was unable to come at the last minute due to sickness, so Swami "came out of retirement" and became the pinch hitter to still make our total an odd number of 11 judges. They worked so hard all day, looking, smelling, tasting and getting very high yet still able to discern effects as they went at a good slow pace, with several breaks to get fresh air and eat something. Nikki was the "Mother G***a" who kept them going and says, "If you think it's hard to herd cats, try stoners!"
Sunday, May 3rd was The Big Day at The Grange in Willits. Set up went smoothly, with farmers arranging their booths outside in the open air space along with the comfy lounge where guests chilled out while sampling the wares. Inside The Grange were educational booths and yummy munchie foods available.
At 4:20 the crowd of about 420 people assembled inside as native elder Ron Lincoln kicked off the stage program with an inspiring invocation which led into the awards show. It was once again a huge honor for us, Nikki and Swami, to announce the winners and give them their awards and lots of hugs on stage. And the winners are:
🥇1st Place: Chiah Roidrigues, Jamie Beatty and their son RIver from River Txai Farms/Arcanna for their "Fire Horse OG". Jamie also received the Best Breeder Award.
🥈2nd Place: Joseph Haggard and Katie Jeane from Emerald Spirit Botanicals for their Royal Blueberry (with a balance of CBD and THC)
🥉3rd Place: Raquel Pasqual from SoulSol Mendocino for her Rainbow Belts x Runtz
🏆4th Place: Sara, David & Flynn O’Donnell from Sweet Sisters Family Farm for Biscotti
🏆5th Place: Jesse Robertson from Sticky Fields for his King’s Poison
🤲Best Breeder: Jamie Beatty - River Txai Farms
Five Honorable Mentions, which are considered all 6th Place, went to:
🌱Marty Clein of Martyjuana “Blue Swami”
🌱Monique Ramirez of Sunbright Gardens “Apricot Moon Cake”
🌱Sue & Phil Crews of Mendocino Family Farms - “The Three Queens”
🌱Shinah Cole-Williams of Precision 707 -”Oreo Blizzard”
🌱Joey Gothelf & Jenn Procacci of WildLand Cannabis -“Sour Haze”
Congratulations to all the winners and really, all of the farmers who entered, for being some of the best sungrown cannabis cultivators on our planet. Each farm that entered, whether they won or not, will receive an equally divided portion of the profits after expenses to demonstrate that The Mendo Cup is all about saving our legacy farmers.
The celebration went until 8:00 when guests peeled away, smiling ear to ear, and contemplating this incredible cannabis community which is alive and well in Mendocino County.
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