Product Development Commercial Experience

Dr. William A. Torello

Currently: Cannabis Consultant

Summary: My extensive academic and commercial experience as a Plant and Soil Scientist is centered and focused upon strictly scientific approaches toward cultivation, research and development as well as genetic improvement. Over the course of my experience in cannabis I have witnessed innumerable situations that are flat out wrong costing companies an unacceptable amount of money and resources. As such, you can expect a thorough and science based review of your company’s objectives and budgetary constraints. Over the course of my career I have developed important skills such as extraction techniques, tissue culture, research and product development as well as having an expert level of knowledge in developing sustainable organic programs.

General Experience:

Consultant, Commercial Cannabis production and Tissue Culture Program Development

Master Grower Commercial Cannabis

Chief Scientist, Cannabis Cultivation

Organic and Organically Based Product Development

Expert in Biostimulants, hybrid biostimulants and organic fertilizers

Waste to Energy and Fertilizer Production: Aerobic and Anaerobic Digestion Technologies.

Biological and Organic Based Systems for Disease Suppression/Control. Bacillus amyloliquifaciens as a biological disease control. I was in the group that discovered, researched and marketed this powerful disease suppressing bacteria currently a primary tool in the cannabis sector.

Development of Organic/Organic Based Management/Cultural Systems.

Plant Mineral Nutrition/Fertilizer Technologies.

Education:

Ph.D. in Agronomy/Horticulture, University of Illinois

M.S. in Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Rhode Island

B.S. in Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Rhode Island,

Minor Concentrations: Plant Pathology/Biochemistry

MILITARY EXPERIENCE: U.S. NAVY NUCLEAR SUBMARINE SERVICE

USS George Washington Carver SSBN 656: Ballistic Missile Boat

USS Bergall SSN 668: Fast Attack Boat

USS Trepang SSN 674: Fast Attack Boat

Research Experience: (Universities of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Illinois)

Biological and Organic Control of Plant Diseases

Development of Novel Organic Amendments/Fertilizers/Biostimulants

Nitrogen/Fertilizer Fate in Soils

Environmental Stress Physiology: Drought/Temperature/Salinity

Biotechnology Applications/Cell-Tissue Culture/Genetic Modification

Fertilizer Development/Efficacy Testing in Field and Laboratory

Species/Cultivar Evaluation

Teaching Experience: (Professor at University of Massachusetts, Amherst)

Introductory Plant Physiology (Undergraduate)

Introductory Environmental Science (Undergraduate)

Environmental Stress Physiology (Graduate)

Turfgrass Physiology and Ecology (Undergraduate)

Introduction to Turfgrass Science (Undergraduate)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Director of Cultivation: Greencraft LLC, Muskegon, Michigan. November 2021 – July 2022

Responsible for all facets of commercial cannabis cultivation

Overseeing construction and implementation of the facility

Developed commercial cannabis tissue culture program

Director of Plant Science and Tissue Culture Operations: Vertikal Technologies, Auburn, ME. Currently Consulting. January 2021-May 2021

Design and establish a commercial cannabis tissue culture lab.

Develop methodology and SOP’s for meristem culture and synthetic seed research.

Ensure virus free clones/stock.

Train personnel in all facets of aseptic technique and tissue culture methodology.

Cannabis Consultant for Exotica Farms: Facilities and Operations Consultant, Holyoke, MA, May 2020 – Present

Part of a development team repurposing a factory for a 75,000+ square foot growing and manufacturing facility. Staffing and equipping this facility will start late fall 2021.

Working with architect and engineer for facility layout and efficiency of flow.

Ensure working spaces are in compliance with state and local requirements.

Cannabis Consultant: Cannabis Research: Curaleaf, Inc. (Nationwide) Project completed in 2020.

Developing extensive R&D program for the Curaleaf Corp.

Reviewing and assessing current Curaleaf grow locations.

Developing experimental designs in cannabis research including strain, media, nutritional and environment variables.

Cannabis Consultant: Alternative Agriculture LLC, Holyoke, MA

Develop cultivation SOP’s, Tissue Culture SOP’s and Development of Compliance Programs.

Determine primary growth methods including aeroponics, coco coir/stone wool/hybrid greenhouse and outdoor methods.

Indoor cultivation infrastructure requirements.

Consult on variety/strain selections.

Chief Technical Officer/Commercial Cannabis (indoor), ZJ Enterprises, Oakland, CA

Responsible for all facets of a large (50 room) indoor cannabis operation.

Initially hired to correct structural and cultivation operation with particular emphasis on insect and disease control/IPM.

Initiated a complete cannabis tissue culture lab to ensure genetic stability as well as produce over 5k clones/week.

Initiated a solvent-less extraction program.

Master Grower, Commercial Cannabis (Indoor, Greenhouse), The Heirloom Collective, Inc. Bernardston, MA

Planning and overseeing new construction for large indoor cannabis grow

Directing all facets of agronomic development and product improvement

Developed and implemented a 100% certifiable organic grow program

Wrote complete set of SOP’s for the indoor grow which will be followed by SOP’s for anticipated greenhouse grows.

Involved with the agronomic procedures for a separate Hemp/CBD oil facility.

Developed and implemented a complete tissue culture program to supply the thousands of plantlets needed on a weekly basis as well as removing the need for a complete and separate “mother” room.

Plant breeding and variety/strain evaluations

Chief Agronomist/Researcher: Clade9, Los Angeles, CA

Indoor, greenhouse and outdoor cannabis grow technology

Development of new procedures/materials for each “grow”.

Breeding and Tissue Culture

Director of Program and Product Development, Marders of Bridgehampton Landscaping.

Assessment of current organic procedures and products and the development of new, more responsive programs and products.

Primarily responsible for all composting and fertilizer programs as well as technical resource for all professionals within the company.

Development of a weekly ongoing training/lecture series companywide.

Chief Technology Officer and Founder, Renewable Agronomics, LLC

Product Development/Marketing/Sales for organic recycling systems including food/animal manure and green wastes.

Consultant for Nutrinsic, LLC. Recycling organic waste from the Miller-Coors Brewery into single cell protein and organic fertilizers.

Consultant for Solutions4Earth Fertilizer Company.

2012 – 2015: Chief Agronomist, NEO Energy, Portsmouth, NH

Developing liquid and granular organic fertilizers from AD of food waste.

Designing new approaches to develop products from digestate.

2010 – 2012: CTO, Purely Organic Products, Inc., York, ME

Development of industry unique liquid and granular organic products.

Initiated Join Venture with Onsite Power, Inc. for development of anaerobic digestion plants for waste to energy to fertilizer production.

Developed new organic products and collaborations with the ethanol industry.

Utilized extensive profession contacts in developing distribution networks.

Wrote all product description sheets with all technical bulletins.

2012 – 2013: Consultant and Senior Agronomist, WISErganics, Seattle, WA.

Review and assess waste stream products from the anaerobic digestion of source separated food waste.

Modify base products with organic and synthetic components focusing upon different sectors of basic agriculture and the green industry.

Develop in-depth product testing at the university and end user levels.

2011-2012: Consultant and Chief Fertilizer Scientist, BioStar Systems, Kansas City, KS.

Involved in the design and procedures for the anaerobic digestion of poultry waste into liquid and granular fertilizers as well as biogas energy.

Developed base products from digestor as well as several organic and synthetically bridged products for various agricultural sectors.

Responsible for all OMRI/NOP product certifications.

Petitioned NOP for the use of mineral acids in product preservation.

Wrote USDA grant in support of the patented anaerobic digestion technology of poultry waste.

Initiated university level product evaluations at Univ. of Illinois, Iowas St. Univ.

2008 – 2010: Director of Product Development and Testing, Converted Organics, Boston, MA, Woodbridge NJ and Gonzales CA.

Evaluation of aerobically digested food waste materials as potential liquid and granular organic fertilizers and biostimulants.

Developed testing/efficacy programs at several major universities and major agricultural growers, golf course superintendents for evaluation of new products.

Extensive travel throughout the U.S. and Caribbean Islands setting up test sites and meeting with large growers and potential distributors.

Wrote all technical articles and product content on website

Initiated university based product evaluations at Univ. of Rhode Island, Rutgers University and Cornell Univ.

2005 – 2008: Project Coordinator and Consultant for Archer, Daniels, Midland (ADM), Decatur, IL

Waste stream assessment: Reviewed and analyzed all waste streams having potential for development into revenue generating organic amendments and fertilizers.

Developed, tested and patented the first totally soluble high nitrogen organic fertilizer based on lysine technology. The highest available organic nitrogen source in the industry. Patent granted.

Developed several granular and liquid formulations from soy, corn and other grain waste streams and fermentation streams.

Initiated university based product evaluations at the Univ. of Illinois, Univ. of Florida and Cal. Poly.

2003 – 2005: President, Professional Turfgrass Consulting.

Development of organically based management programs geared toward reducing chemical inputs and more efficient use of water and fertilizers.

Developed IPM programs for the permitting of new golf course construction.

1998 – 2003: Executive VP, EcoOrganics, Inc., Director of Research and Product Development.

Identified, formulated and field tested protein sources for the development of new granular and spray applied organic fertilizers.

Developed the first soluble/suspendable high nitrogen organic fertilizer derived from concentrated and isolated soy proteins. Patent granted.

Isolated, lab and field tested a strong anti-fungal bacteria (APM-1) for the suppression of plant diseases. Patent granted.

1981 – 2003: Professor, Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Teaching/Research appointment with experience in teaching and research as noted above.

Director, Turf Management and Science Program.

Extensive publication and grant record.

Developed Nationwide long term research projects in China.

Extensive experience in public speaking on the academic as well as outreach/extension levels.

Awards:

Twice awarded “Outstanding Professor” in the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, Umass, Amherst

Appointed Adjunct Professor in the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science.

PUBLICATIONS: (Selected refereed papers noting diverse background)

6 Tips and 4 Steps for Creating a Structured Cannabis Breeding Program

David Holmes and Dr. William A. Torello

Cannabis Business Times: December 2017

Effect of Organic Fertilizers Derived Dissolved Organic Matter on Pesticide Sorption and Leaching. J. Environ. Pollution: Vol. 134 pp 187-194

Retention of Organic and Inorganic Chemicals by Draining/Supply Piping Material in an Encapsulated Green System. J. Environ. Pollution: 108(3) pp 397-403

Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration from Suspension Cultures of Red Fescue. Crop Sci. 29: 815-817

Callus Initiation, Plant Regeneration and Evidence of Somatic Embryogenesis in Red Fescue. Crop Sci. 24: 1037-1040

Enumeration of Denitrifying Microbial Populations in a Turf System. Plant and Soil 96: 145-151

Denitrification Losses from a Kentucky Bluegrass Sod. Agron. J. 80: 148-153

Effects of NaCl Stress on Proline and Cation Accumulation in Salt Sensitive and Salt Tolerant Turfgrasses. Plant and Soil: 93, pp 241-247

Screening of Turfgrass Species and Cultivars for NaCl Tolerance. Plant and Soil: 82, pp 155-161

Urease Activity in a Kentucky Bluegrass Turf. Agron. J. Vol.75, pp 654-656

Ammonia Volatilization from Fertilized Turfgrass Stands. Agron. J. Vol.75, pp 454-456.

PATENTS:

Fertilizer compositions and methods including lysine based materials.

United States Patent U.S. application Ser. No. 11/549,470

Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a fertilizer. More specifically, non-limiting embodiments are directed toward a fertilizer that provides nitrogen while minimizing the unit cost of the fertilizer. Also provided are methods for increasing nitrogen content in soil, promoting crop production, and fertilizing horticultural or agricultural crops.

Novel antifungal bacterium and compositions

United States Patent Antifungal methods - United States Patent 7666406

A composition comprising bacteria and an inert carrier is disclosed. The carrier can be porous, ceramic particles. The composition can also include a growth medium. Bacteria in such a composition can comprise a novel strain designated APM-1. APM-1 is a Gram-positive, aerobic, motile rod.

Sprayable organic fertilizer.

United States Patent US 200********

The invention is a sprayable organic fertilizer for application to a plant or plant soil that includes denatured soybean particles having a total protein content of at least fifty and up to ninety per cent by weight.

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