About Us

Founder

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Mark Buddemeyer is a seasoned leader in cannabis cultivation, with over a decade of expertise in designing, operating, and optimizing large-scale grow facilities. As the Director of Cultivation at Flora Farms, Missouri’s largest cannabis operator, Mark has transformed the industry by implementing innovative techniques and state-of-the-art processes. He played a pivotal role in designing and launching Flora Farms’ 180,000 sq. ft. indoor cultivation facility, which now produces 1,400–1,600 lbs of premium flower monthly.

Mark's achievements include doubling garden production yields to 1.425 grams per watt while significantly increasing THC levels from 17% to over 30% and terpene profiles to 2.5-4%. These milestones are a testament to his expertise in crop steering, environmental control, nutrient management, and team training. Beyond cultivation, he authored detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that encompass every phase of cannabis growth, from strain acquisition to post-harvest handling, ensuring consistent quality and compliance.

Under Mark's leadership, Flora Farms has earned multiple industry accolades, including Best Flower Cultivar awards for the Bubba Fett and GMO strains, as well as the title of Best Cultivator in 2024. His ability to merge science, innovation, and practical application has made him a trusted name in the cannabis industry, cementing his reputation as an expert in cultivation excellence.

Founder

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Michael Torretti is an accomplished entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in cannabis operations, facility design, and retail management. His career began in the early days of Colorado’s legal cannabis industry, where he co-managed South Park Hydroponics, a renowned supplier of hydroponic and cultivation products. Michael’s work has spanned multiple facets of the cannabis sector, including designing efficient grow spaces, streamlining cultivation workflows, and implementing innovative solutions to meet the needs of modern growers.

As a co-founder of Enlightened Ag, Michael brings a hands-on approach to product development, combining his deep understanding of agricultural science with technical ingenuity. His work focuses on integrating hardware and software solutions that address key industry challenges, such as sustainability, compliance, and operational efficiency.

Michael’s passion for advancing the cannabis industry extends beyond technical innovation—he is committed to fostering collaboration and education among growers and operators. His expertise in business development and his ability to anticipate market trends have helped establish Enlightened Ag. as a forward-thinking company dedicated to the future of controlled-environment agriculture.

Founder

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Andy Zhou brings over 30 years of experience in software and hardware engineering, manufacturing, and product development, with a particular focus on scaling innovative technologies in China. His extensive background spans industries such as electronics, IoT systems, and industrial automation, where he has successfully overseen the design and mass production of complex hardware solutions.

Introduced to the Enlightened Ag. team through a mutual connection at MJBizCon in 2022, Andy immediately became a vital contributor to the company’s technical advancements. Leveraging his deep knowledge of global supply chains and cutting-edge manufacturing techniques, he has played a key role in optimizing the design and production of Enlightened Ag's groundbreaking products.

Andy’s collaborative approach and technical expertise ensure that every product meets the highest standards of quality, reliability, and efficiency. By bridging the gap between design innovation and large-scale manufacturing, he has helped position Enlightened Ag. as a leader in delivering advanced solutions for the controlled-environment agriculture industry.