Carpenter Farms: Arkansas' Only Black-Owned Medical Cannabis Cultivator in Grady

About Carpenter Farms Cultivation Facility

Carpenter Farms is a cannabis cultivation facility located in Grady, Arkansas, spanning over 1,500 acres in Jefferson County. As the only Black-owned cannabis cultivator in the state of Arkansas, Carpenter Farms brings more than 55 years of agricultural expertise to the medical marijuana industry. What began as a one-acre garden in the late 1960s has evolved into a multi-generational family operation involving 38 family members, all committed to producing high-quality cannabis with the same care and attention they've applied to their produce for over half a century.

Led by CEO and President Abraham Carpenter Jr., the cultivation facility maintains the same organic farming principles that made Carpenter Farms a household name in Arkansas agriculture. The operation is well-known beyond cannabis, operating a popular produce and fish stand along East Harding Avenue in Pine Bluff that has served the community for decades. This deep agricultural foundation informs every aspect of their cannabis cultivation approach, from soil management to quality control.

Carpenter Farms focuses exclusively on flower cultivation, occasionally partnering with Delta Dank processing facility in Bay, Arkansas for concentrate extraction. The operation currently maintains 27 strains in their repertoire with nine strains testing over 30% THC. Every plant is hand-trimmed to ensure quality control remains at the forefront of their operation. The team continually measures and monitors THC percentages, constantly working to improve their final product while staying true to their organic, chemical-free growing practices.

From Watermelons to Cannabis: The Carpenter Farms Story

The Carpenter Farms story begins with Katie Carpenter and her modest garden in the late 1960s. Her garden proved so successful that her husband, Abraham Carpenter Sr., recognized the potential for profitability and made a life-changing decision—he quit his job at nearby Seagram's Lumber Mill to support the garden full-time. From that single acre, Abraham Sr. began purchasing more land, gradually expanding what would become a 1,500-acre agricultural operation.

For years, the Carpenter family connected with customers through the farmers market circuit, building lifelong friendships and establishing a reputation for quality produce—particularly their watermelons, which became legendary in Arkansas. Katie Carpenter's philosophy became the family's guiding principle: "It's all grown with love." This approach transformed customers into friends and created a bond between farmer and consumer that would eventually inspire the family's entry into medical marijuana.

When medical marijuana legislation began moving through Arkansas, Abraham Carpenter Jr. saw an opportunity to help people in a new way. Though initially hesitant—the family had always refused to sell beer or wine at their restaurant—Abraham Sr.'s perspective shifted after learning about cannabis's documented medicinal properties. "Well, son, we need to grow some of that," he told Junior, setting the family on a new path.

The journey to licensure proved challenging. Carpenter Farms, as the only fully minority-owned operation applying for a cultivation license, was initially denied. The family fought a two-year legal battle before finally receiving their license, demonstrating the same perseverance that had sustained their agricultural business for decades. Since entering cannabis production, the Carpenter team has treated marijuana cultivation with the same seriousness and care they apply to any other crop on their farm.

What Makes Carpenter Farms Unique in Arkansas' Cannabis Industry

Only Black-Owned Cultivator

Carpenter Farms holds the distinction of being Arkansas' only Black-owned cannabis cultivation facility, bringing crucial diversity and representation to the state's medical marijuana industry. Their success in obtaining licensure after a two-year legal battle as the only fully minority-owned applicant speaks to their determination and commitment to breaking barriers in cannabis.

Generational Agricultural Heritage

With over 55 years of farming experience and 38 family members involved in operations, Carpenter Farms brings unparalleled agricultural expertise to cannabis cultivation. This isn't a corporate operation learning agriculture from scratch—it's a family that has perfected the art of growing for more than half a century, now applying that knowledge to medical marijuana.

100% Organic, Hand-Trimmed Cultivation

Carpenter Farms maintains strict organic growing practices, refusing to use chemicals or synthetic inputs. "Everything is organically grown," Abraham Carpenter Jr. emphasizes. Beyond organic cultivation, every plant is hand-trimmed, ensuring that quality control remains paramount. As Junior explains, "Anytime you put cream of the crop ingredients into your product, it's going to produce cream of the crop yields."

Family Values and Mission-Driven Approach

The Carpenter family's motto—"grown with love"—extends from their produce to their cannabis. VP of Marketing Andrew McNeel, who grew up with Junior running around farmers markets, reflects the family-first culture: "We're all passionate, and we've got that mindset that we're no better than each other—we're only as strong as each other." The team's motivation goes beyond profit. "We're in the cannabis business but we're not growing cannabis just to try to get wealthy," Junior explains. "We've got a genuine love for people and want to be able to help them with their illnesses. We want to be able to give them everything that they need to make them more healthy, more happy, and have a longer life."

Innovation Rooted in Tradition:

Carpenter Farms plans to leverage their agricultural background in future product development, including watermelon-infused vape pens that incorporate elements from Carpenter-produced watermelons. The team remains committed to introducing new strains and products monthly, always open to customer feedback to continually improve their offerings. This willingness to innovate while honoring tradition ensures Carpenter Farms will continue evolving while staying true to their roots.