Ryan Douglas ’98 has written and self-published, From Seed to Success: How to Launch a Great Cannabis Cultivation Business in Record Time. The book is a step-by-step guide for entrepreneurs who want to start a commercial cultivation operation. Ryan explains that, “the cannabis industry has attracted savvy entrepreneurs from all walks of life, but those new to large-scale cultivation may find the start-up process overwhelming.”

Ryan credits much of the success of this book—and his career—to his time spent at Antioch College. As a Cultural and Interdisciplinary Studies major, Ryan learned how to think critically and develop creative solutions to real-world problems. Instead of focusing on test scores, grade point averages, and degree titles, Antioch provided Ryan the space to ask questions and explore ideas, empowering him to follow his true passions.

Ryan Douglas ’98 in the greenhouse at Antioch College circa 1998

During his time at Antioch, Ryan took botany and plant biology courses and acquired grant money to renovate the campus greenhouse. These experiences solidified his love for horticulture, and after graduating he pursued work on an organic farm.  This led to his interest in controlled environment agriculture, and Ryan spent the next 15 years as a commercial greenhouse grower of ornamental and edible crops in New Mexico, Mississippi, Maine, and Massachusetts.

In 2013, he transitioned to growing a different crop when he was hired as the head grower for Canada’s largest licensed producer of medicinal cannabis. In 2016, Ryan branched out on his own as an independent cultivation consultant and has since advised on more than a dozen cannabis projects on three continents and in two languages.