Dewey Scientific LLC, an agtech company founded in 2018 by molecular plant biologists from Washington State University, has more than tripled its workforce over the past year and in 2021 increased annual revenue by 300%, says Dewey Scientific CEO and co-founder Jordan Zager.

Last month, Dewey Scientific started construction of a new 9,000-square-foot greenhouse at its Pullman agricultural research facility located at 2001 Country Club Road. The new addition brings the company’s headquarters to just over 20,000 square feet with 10,800 square feet dedicated to the greenhouse, says Zager.

Initially, the greenhouse was projected to cost $1.8 million, he says. However, with supply chain issues and prices spiking overnight, he estimates that value will be closer to $2.2 million. It’s expected to be completed by late September.

The greenhouse will enable the company to continue its climbing revenue trend in 2022 and 2023, Zager says.

Dewey Scientific’s mission is to become a scientifically credible resource for a sustainable cannabis industry, he says.

Zager claims that in 2021, cannabis was the fourth most valuable crop in the U.S., putting it in the same economic arena as corn and soy. However, cannabis isn’t afforded the same resources and tools as other crops, he says.

For example, he notes that blueberries as a crop receive millions of dollars in government research into the genomics of the berry. A farmer experiencing a problem with the crop, such as a mold, can call the U.S. Department of Agriculture and someone there can guide the farmer on what variety of blueberry to grow the following year. Dewey Scientific’s goal is to be that type of resource for cannabis growers across the country.

“That’s what we are focused on right now, catching up the cannabis industry on the genomics side (of cannabis),” he says.

Zager says that the number one crop killer of cannabis is powdery mildew, a mold that grows on the surface of the leaves and decreases the overall crop yield of the crop. Dewey Scientific’s latest research has identified the first powdery mildew resistance gene in cannabis. A press release from the company says this finding will help address one of the most widespread diseases in cannabis and marijuana.

The company’s recent hires include Todd Larson, vice president of business operations; Charles Moehs, senior vice president of research; and Logan Alden, vice president of sales and marketing.

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