Her Harvest

Cultivating more than cannabis.

By Meagan Chris
Photography By Allie Jordan

In the heart of The Source’s grow room, Ari Pascoe’s intuition and observation guide her daily dance with the cannabis plants. Her commitment to quality and her dedicated approach make her a leader in the field.

In the heart of Northwest Arkansas, amidst the rolling hills surrounding Rogers, a unique kind of magic is happening at The Source Dispensary. Ari Pascoe, the director of cultivation, tends to her 50 plants with a reverence that transcends mere horticulture; it’s a symphony of love, intuition and generations of feminine wisdom. In a state where plant count is limited, Pascoe and her team have perfected the art of maximizing their space, creating a garden of unparalleled beauty and vitality.

A Legacy Rooted in Nature and Nurturing

Pascoe’s journey began in a community woven with the threads of strong, Southern women — a “coven,” as she affectionately calls it. Raised by a single mother and deeply influenced by her grandmother’s green thumb, Pascoe learned early that plants respond to kindness, to songs, to a gentle touch. “My grandmother taught me to talk to my plants, to sing to them,” Pascoe recalls. “No negativity, just pure nurturing energy.” This ancestral connection to the earth is further enriched by her Panamanian heritage, where her father resides, and where she experienced the lush, untamed beauty of the jungle. These experiences instilled in her a deep respect for nature’s power.

Pascoe’s lineage is a tapestry of powerful women, and she feels a profound connection to the divine feminine. “The cannabis plant is a woman,” she says,  “and the fruits of our labor reflect feminine, nurturing energy. I feel privileged to be a part of that process.” This connection extends to her passion
for natural medicine. “I’ve always been drawn to plant-based healing,” Pascoe explains. “Even as a kid playing World of Warcraft, my hunter night elf was always concocting cures from herbs. I think that planted a seed.”

Living a plant-based lifestyle, Pascoe integrates plant medicine into her daily self-care routine. “I’m a huge advocate for natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals,” she says. “Being able to provide that to my community is an honor.” She’s passionate about blending “plant wisdom with modern science to support physical health, mental clarity and spiritual growth.”

From Budtender to Cultivator: A Journey of Passion and Perseverance

Pascoe’s journey at The Source began five years ago, when the doors of the dispensary first opened. Starting as a budtender, she quickly fell in love with the culture, the patients and the healing power of cannabis. “Even in the early days, during COVID, I knew this was where I belonged,” she says. Her dedication led her to become a trainer, sharing her knowledge and passion with others. But her heart belonged in the grow room.

“I was vocal about wanting to be in cultivation,” Pascoe recounts. “As a woman in this industry, you have to be. They’ll look right over you if you’re not.” Luckily, Pascoe had a strong support system, including her colleague Rob Garcia, who championed her aspirations. After training in Missouri, Pascoe’s dream became a reality when The Source opened its own grow.

“It’s a male-dominated industry,” she acknowledges, “but I had people in my corner, and I was loud.” Her persistence paid off, and she stepped into her role as director of cultivation with unwavering determination. Garcia affirms this, stating, “Ari has taught me everything I know when it comes to cultivation from cloning, nutrient ratios, trimming and maintaining our small intimate grow. Her knowledge in cultivation is superb.” Pascoe, with characteristic modesty, adds, “Rob flatters me in saying I’ve taught him everything he knows. I would like to, candidly, add that we’ve learned everything we know side by side, together.”

The Source’s flower room stands as a testament to the shared commitment of Ari Pascoe and her team to cultivating high-quality cannabis, grown with care and precision.

“In the Flow”: Cultivation as a Dance of Intuition and Observation

The Source’s house brand, “In the Flow,” is a reflection of Pascoe’s personal philosophy and her cultivation methods. “It’s a dance,” she says, “a daily dance with the plants.” Her past experience with flow arts, like poi and dragon staff, taught her patience and the ability to “be in the flow,” skills she applies daily in the grow room.

Hand-watering each plant is her favorite part of the job. “It’s where I find my peace,” she shares. “It’s so calming and authentic.” Music plays a vital role in her grow room. “Music is vibrational, and so are we,” Pascoe explains. “Plants see and speak through vibration. We create a synergetic connection with them through music.” She curates the perfect soundtrack to stimulate photosynthesis and communication, creating a harmonious environment.

Pascoe relies heavily on intuition and careful observation. “We learn from everything,” she says. The May 2024 tornado that hit the grow served as a powerful lesson. “It really reiterated how much I care about these plants,” she says. “With minimal power, our team and the community worked tirelessly. It desensitized me in a positive way. I’m a worrier by nature, but that experience taught me that growth is a daily opportunity, and each day offers new avenues for education.”

Working in the clone room, Ari Pascoe nurtures the next generation of cannabis plants, ensuring a healthy start for The Source’s “In the Flow” brand.

Impact and Community:
Nurturing Growth Beyond the Grow Room

While Pascoe battles imposter syndrome, her team sees her as a mentor. “They’ve told me they feel mentored by me every day,” she says, her voice filled with humility. “I hope I inspire them through my work ethic, compassion and dedication.” She believes women bring a unique perspective to cultivation. “Women are nurturers, cultivators by nature,” she says. “The industry could benefit from some more ‘girl science.’” Evelyn Diaz, Ari’s longtime friend and colleague, shares, “Honestly, what haven’t I learned from Ari? We’ve been best friends since childhood, so she’s taught me a lot about life, people and just how to navigate the world. Working in the grow with her, she passes down everything she knows and learns about cultivating cannabis. But it’s more than that — she doesn’t just teach; she involves me in her learning process, and we grow together in every sense of the word.”

Diaz also highlights Pascoe’s management style, saying, “She’s fair, thoughtful and really takes the time to understand each situation before making a decision. She doesn’t just follow a rigid set of rules — she looks at the bigger picture and approaches things with both logic and heart. She has high standards, but she also knows that not every situation should be handled the same way.” Garcia adds, “The one thing I love about Ari’s management style is her attention to detail, and her organization. She cares a lot about her employees and our small grow, and is always very helpful in all aspects here at The Source.”

Pascoe actively participates in industry events and engages with the local community. “Arkansas has a powerful network of strong women,” she notes, citing Mandi Strickland, The Source’s CEO, as a constant source of inspiration. “Because women in cannabis face unique challenges, we’ve cultivated a supportive network.”

The Future of Cannabis: A Vision of Growth and Innovation

Pascoe is excited about the future of cannabis cultivation. “We’re always willing to integrate new ideas and perspectives,” she says. Her advice to aspiring female growers is simple: “If this industry resonates with your soul, you belong here. No challenge or obstacle should deter you from pursuing your calling.”

Garcia also emphasizes, “My favorite thing about growing at The Source is the fact that it is a small, hands-on intimate grow from cloning to harvest.” Diaz echoes this sentiment, saying, “I love that I get to grow medicine for people. Hearing how the strains we cultivate truly improve lives is incredibly rewarding. And the best part? I get to do it alongside my best friend.”

Closing Thoughts

Pascoe’s journey is a testament to resilience, passion and dedication. She has transformed The Source’s grow room into a sanctuary of vibrant life, reflecting her own nurturing spirit. Her connection to her plants, her team and her community is a testament to the power of feminine energy in the cannabis industry.

“These plants are more than just medicine,” Pascoe says, her eyes filled with warmth. “They’re a reflection of the love and care we put into them. And that’s what makes them truly special.”