Last verified: March 2026

The Facility

Co-founded in 2016 by Fife Symington IV (son of former Governor Fife Symington) and Scott Barker, Copperstate Farms operates 40 acres under glass — 1.7 million square feet — in Snowflake, Arizona. The facility was originally a hydroponic tomato greenhouse built in 1998 by Canadian lottery winners, repurposed for cannabis cultivation.

By the Numbers

The Greenhouse Thesis

Symington's philosophy represents a deliberate bet against the indoor cultivation model that dominates American cannabis:

Warehouse growing was never going to pencil out in the long run. Once it became legal, I believed that cost of production would matter more than anything else, ultimately.

Fife Symington IV, Co-founder, Copperstate Farms

The greenhouse approach leverages Arizona's abundant sunshine while controlling the environment at 5,616 feet elevation in the White Mountains — far cooler than Phoenix's extreme heat, with reduced pest pressure and intense natural sunlight. The facility uses blackout screens, supplemental UV lighting, and advanced ventilation to optimize growing conditions year-round.

Environmental & Economic Advantages

• Energy reduction: Dramatically lower energy consumption compared to indoor grows that use 2,000–3,000 kWh per pound
• Carbon footprint: An estimated 42% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions versus pure indoor cultivation
• Scalability: Plans exist to double the facility to 80 acres
• Community impact: Copperstate is Snowflake's largest employer with 350–700 workers

Market Position

Copperstate is Arizona's number-one cannabis wholesaler, producing 50 strains with 50 more in development, and operating a commercial kitchen producing over 150,000 edible units monthly. It also owns the Sol Flower dispensary chain, providing vertical integration from cultivation through retail.