In an industry flooded with out-of-state operators claiming New York authenticity, MFNY stands as the genuine article—a testament to what happens when New York grit meets horticultural expertise.
Standing inside MFNY’s immaculate greenhouse in New Windsor, watching Ian Dyche examine a thriving cannabis plant, the company’s “true to plant” philosophy becomes tangibly real. The vibrant leaves and pungent aroma suggest something special is happening at this Hudson Valley cultivation facility.
“We wanted to produce something that we would consume and be happy to experience,” explains Natalia Kaminskaya, co-founder and Head of Brand & Culture. “Our bodies contain locks and the compounds in cannabis contain keys to those locks, therefore the effects of different strains are always unique.”
Natalia Kaminskaya, Matt Garzia, Ian DycheHospitality Roots
Kaminskaya’s journey to cannabis began in luxury hospitality at Starwood Hotels before transitioning to real estate with Corcoran. Meanwhile, her husband and co-founder Michael discovered cannabis cultivation through a California friend’s operation.
When hemp was legalized, the couple established Hemp Farms of New York, focusing initially on CBD products before expanding into the broader cannabis market.
“The brand is not just a package or logo,” Kaminskaya explains. “It’s what constitutes that brand—the culture, the shared values, the shared philosophies. It’s a brand for New Yorkers, by New Yorkers.”
Single-Source Excellence
MFNY controls every aspect of production, rotating through more than 100 strains with 10-16 in major production at any given time. Their vertical integration preserves consistency and quality throughout the supply chain.
“The way we grow is for the products we make… it’s not the easiest path as a producer,” Dyche notes.
This commitment extends to their extraction process, which preserves the plant’s full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes rather than isolating THC. The results are products that deliver what Matthew Garzia, Chief Operating Officer, calls “a true expression of what the plant is.”
Hudson Valley Terroir
“The Hudson Valley has a rich agricultural history,” notes Dyche. “Bright sun, moderate temperatures, especially during fall and spring. I think being close to the Hudson River does something to the air—ionizes it because of the large body of water.”
MFNY’s 35.8-acre facility utilizes a deep bedrock well system, avoiding strain on municipal resources. Their plants grow in coco medium rather than peat moss—a sustainable choice that gives them precise control over nutrition.
“I treat these plants like they’re living at the Olympic Training Center,” Dyche explains. “The way they get fed is precise… so the plant’s metabolism and vigor never hit a blip and it can fully express itself.”
Their pest management approach eschews chemical pesticides in favor of predatory insects, with staff collecting and releasing praying mantises throughout the cultivation areas.
Award-Winning Results
MFNY’s meticulous approach has garnered multiple industry awards, particularly for its live rosin, one of the most challenging cannabis products to produce at scale.
“We don’t have different tiers of quality with our oil,” Dyche notes. “It’s all processed the same way from the same material. There’s no lesser quality oil in the gummies—it’s the same that’s in the badder.”
This quality-first approach appeals to both connoisseurs and newcomers. “You don’t need to understand the nuance to recognize the taste and flavor,” Dyche explains. “Many commercially available oil products are simply monetized cannabinoids concentrated into forms that eliminate the full spectrum effect.”
Authentically New York
“We consider ourselves real New Yorkers,” says Kaminskaya. “It’s a very special city of passionate, relentless, ambitious, wild and spiritual people, and that’s what we love about it.” This spirit influences everything from product development to community engagement, including participating in New Museum exhibitions and New York Fashion Week.
The company name itself embodies this attitude. While MFNY officially stands for “Marijuana Farms New York,” the team embraces customers’ more colorful interpretation. “With the MF, people started saying, ‘that’s what New York is,’ and we embrace that,” Kaminskaya notes.
Education and Growth
MFNY hosts regular budtender education tours, pausing operations to guide retail staff through their process. Unlike many cannabis companies, MFNY maintains a dedicated education team separate from sales. “My point is for them to know the product, the extraction, the quality, to understand the philosophy, what we stand behind,” Kaminskaya emphasizes.
Looking ahead, MFNY has ambitious plans to expand its product line while maintaining quality standards. “Between full-time staff, part-time employees, and seasonal workers, it takes about 72 people to make the engine run,” Garzia notes. “My goal is to have that number closer to 240.”
The Personal Touch
The team’s connection with their products stands out. Kaminskaya favors The Belafonte Live Resin vape cart and the Hash Burger Live Rosin Tincture, which she pairs with food “like you are tasting the flower itself.” Garzia, an amateur guitarist, reaches for Grape Guava Live Resin vape. “What it does to my thought process, the fluidity in my fingers, and how I visualize music is truly unique,” he shares.
Dyche samples everything MFNY creates, like the owner of Sam Adams, who keeps a beer from every batch. “I love our badder—it’s the heart of what we do here.”
As MFNY helps shape New York’s cannabis industry, Kaminskaya concludes, “We need to champion this because it’s not going anywhere.” With MFNY leading the way, New York’s cannabis future looks impressively bright.
