b'large-scale site in Manitoba, and package that and hand that over to the entrepreneur so that they can start to operate their own facility, Arbuthnot explains.After getting in touch with Delta 9, Donovan quickly realized their turnkey production option would work for her. She then got to work on getting her facility built and began working with Delta 9 as one of their first farmer entrepreneurs.Being the first is a wonderful honour. Being the guinea pig has been stressful, Donovan says. Were working out the kinks. We all have a lot of graciousness between our teams and were learning from it, which will make it easier for everybody else coming after me.For a production facility, Donovan took over her husbands 60 by 120-foot cold storage shed. She insulated and tinned the building, poured a concrete floor, added electrical and water hookups and built offices. During this time Donovan was going through the licensing process with Health Canada. She started it in April 2019 and received final approval in February 2020. Throughout the whole process the business was self-funded through the familys farm and personal finances.Its long, but its also so short (of a process). Every monthA Delta 9 grow pod which is a retrofitted shipping container meant to grow seems like a year. But weve done this in under 12 months, builtcannabis plants. PHOTO: DELTA 9and got licensed in literally 10 months, Donovan says.Throughout the whole process though, Donovan had a backup plan for if she didnt get licensed for cannabis production. She planned to grow microgreens, wasabi or tea in the grow pods instead.Running the Business BUILDING STRUC TURESDonovans daughters, Julia and Grace, were her first employees.& REL ATIONSHIPSThe two had been supportive of their mothers business endeavour and both decided they wanted to work at it. Once Donovan received her license, the three of them got to work.Donovan handles the business side of things; Julia is the head grower and Grace is in charge of integrated pest management and quality assurance. Since they started growing cannabis the business has expanded to include five more full-time employees and four part-time employees.The business has 10 flowering pods and two support pods, one of which is used as a nursery and the other as the harvest and drying area. All product being produced is being sold to Delta 9 for saleCommercial - Industrial - Agricultural in their stores under Donovans business name, Because You Cann, which she picked to help encourage people to stepBuilding Design, Drafting, Rendering, Project Management, General Contracting, Structural Steeloutside their comfort zone and try cannabis themselves.For me the voice that I wanted other women to hear is you can use this plant shame free. My hashtag #ICANNYOUCANN, says it allI cannabis, you cannabis, Donovan explains. PROUD TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITYFor now, Donovan is focusing on getting her first cropsFOR THE LAST 29 YEARSharvested. Within the first year she plans to decide, along with her daughters, if they need to or want to expand their production. Ashley Robinson westcoconstruction.caFall 2020 43'