Having a green thumb is a good way to earn a living. Agriculture was the first big business. It created the marketplace and civilization itself.
Of course, going green has an entirely new meaning these days. And I’m not talking about the green new deal. I’m talking about cannabis.
The medicinal properties of marijuana have been known for ages. And believe it or not, Louisiana was one of the first states to recognize that, passing legalization laws decades ago that sat frozen on the books.
But over the last couple of years, legislation opened up the cannabis and CBD market in the state, albeit with a tight regulatory grip.
Crystal Grayson, growing hemp and making CBD in Broussard
Crystal Grayson and her husband Matt, an horticulturalist, seized on the new opportunity in 2020, launching Zorillo. Zorillo isn’t a CBD shop, though you can buy Zorillo products. It’s more like a co-op. Crystal and Matt seed, grow and process their own cannabinoid products and they help other farmers do it too. Crystal and Matt’s farm is in Broussard, and Zorrillo is under the umbrella of the company Grass Masters, which also includes Matt’s lawn care and landscaping business. Crystal also works as an escrow officer for a title company.
Tony Davoren, the Irish Guy
When you think green you might also think of the emerald isle. Tony Davoren, hails from Ireland but settled in Louisiana with his wife Sheila. Tony is also in the landscaping business with his company Irish Guy Landscaping, but you might also know him through his work in the traditional music scene. Tony is passionate about the crossroads of Celtic and Acadian culture. He is the creator and director of the Celtic Bayou Festival and also runs an Irish Dance Summer Camp with his wife. Tony and Shelia met while touring the U.S. as part of Riverdance and now they live in Sunset where Tony has been perfecting his recipe for smoked sausage.
Christiaan Mader, Tony Davoren, Crystal Grayson – broadcasting from the studios of KRVS
Catch up with another couple of Acadiana entrepreneurs.
Photos by Out to Lunch audio engineer Kieran McIntosh.
