From Soil, Struggle, and Soul: Hudson Valley Green Wins Big at the Palenville Cannabis Cup”

Palenville, New York — The air was thick with terpenes, competition, and community as the Damn Sam Cannabis Cup 2025 took over the Catskills this October. Over a hundred vendors lined the festival grounds, each with their own claim to “top-shelf” glory. But when the smoke cleared, one name stood tall above them all: Hudson Valley Green, taking home 1st Place with their strain Gas Face — a collaboration with Higher Beings.

This win didn’t come from corporate strategy or fancy investors. As their founder put it, “Hudson Valley Green didn’t start in a boardroom. It started with soil, struggle, and soul.”

And that’s exactly what the judges — and the people — felt.

Even before the winners were announced, the buzz around Hudson Valley Green’s tent was undeniable. Among the crowd was OG Strain, host of Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis) and staff writer for The Plug’s Pages Magazine, attending with his son, rap artist Jake Strain, fresh off tour with Afroman. Out of nearly 100 vendors, the two cannabis connoisseurs were on a mission: find the best flower at the festival — no bias, no hype, just the real deal.

When they reached Hudson Valley Green’s booth, the decision was instant.
“Their flower looked, smelled, and felt different,” OG recalled. “You could see the care in every jar.”

Jake couldn’t choose just one.
“They all looked fire,” he laughed. “I had to grab all fourteen strains they had. These guys are my new plug for sure.”

Hours later, when the judges crowned Gas Face as 1st Place Winner, the moment hit even harder — proof that Hudson Valley Green’s passion, precision, and authenticity speak louder than hype.

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Rooted in Vision — Growing More Than Flower

Hudson Valley Green is more than a grow — it’s a movement. “We envision a world where cannabis culture is celebrated as art, healing, and community — not just commerce,” the founder explained. “We’re cultivating something that bridges nature, creativity, and consciousness.”

Their approach to growing is deeply intentional. “Our flower isn’t a product — it’s a story told in terpenes and texture,” they said. Each strain carries a frequency, from the earthy calm of Composure to the cosmic lift of Interstella.

Innovation drives every harvest. “We don’t just grow strains — we design experiences,” the team shared. “Every cultivar starts with proven lineage and evolves through phenotype hunting and refinement. We honor the roots of the game while pushing cannabis into its next generation.”

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Top-Shelf Redefined

Ask Hudson Valley Green what “top-shelf” means, and they’ll tell you:
🌿 Small batch. Hand finished. Grown with intention.
🔥 Premium flavor. Authentic energy. Real roots.
💎 “It’s not about being the most expensive — it’s about being undeniably excellent.”

Their post-harvest process follows the same philosophy. “Greatness can’t be rushed,” they said. “Once the flower is harvested, the real magic begins in the drying rooms — patience, precision, and respect for the plant. That’s how good flower becomes unforgettable flower.”

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Higher Beings and Higher Purpose

The connection with Higher Beings isn’t just business — it’s synergy. “We’ve been feeding each other’s growth, not just as brands but as people,” they said. “We brought the craft, they brought the elevation — together, we’re building a bridge between cultivation and consciousness. We grow better together.”

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Challenges, Character, and Culture

“The hardest part about being a grower today isn’t the cultivation — it’s the climate,” they admitted. “We’re living in a time where passion competes with profit. Corporate money’s trying to mimic what real growers built from the ground up. It’s not hard to grow weed. It’s hard to keep it real when the world keeps selling fake.”

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Looking Ahead

When asked what’s next, their answer came with a smile: “Riding a weed rocket to the moon.”

And after this Cannabis Cup win, no one’s doubting that trajectory.

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A Final Word from the Roots

“To every grower putting love into the soil — we see you,” they said. “This plant tests your patience, your discipline, and your soul, but it also rewards you with purpose. Keep your roots pure. Don’t forget why you started.”

If this is your first time hearing about Hudson Valley Green — welcome to the family.
They’re not just growing weed. They’re cultivating culture.
And as The Plug’s Pages can confirm — they’ve earned every bud of their legend.

Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/hudson_valley_green_/

https://www.instagram.com/higherbeingscny?igsh=MTlieDQ1djVnMGM0Yg==

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/share/19rMcdw3rt/

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✍ Written by Seymour Buds

For The Plug’s Pages Magazine — Issue #10, Winter 2025