Cannabis entrepreneurs remember Richard Vest as a friend, farmer and community leader
By Kaitlin Morrison
As an industry outsider, Richard “Bud” Vest (1926-2015) never grew or used cannabis products. Yet, he unexpectedly became a friend and supporter of Washington’s legal cannabis industry. Vest died in February, but he left a big impact on those who knew him well.
Two growers in particular, Lynette Key and Byron Miller, have honored Vest’s memory by naming their new venture Uncle Bud Farms. The first crop was planted on his birthday, June 4 of this year.
“A purpose and a reason, that was his motto,” Key said. “And to give to anybody that needed it.”
Key and Miller plan to carry on Vest’s legacy of charity by contributing part of Uncle Bud Farms’ proceeds to his favorite causes. Vest loved helping the Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane and was a longtime member of the Shriners, the Omak Masonic Lodge and Okanogan Masonic Lodge.
“We plan on supporting the causes that he adamantly supported financially his whole life,” Key said.
Vest owned farmland in Okanogan County and initially operated a small baby’s breath farm on the property. According to Key, Vest had built a huge well on his property in the 1970s. The well “was 500 feet deep, and he did it with a 10-inch casing,” Key said. “That’s unheard of.”
He built the well because he had plans for his land, but he was never able to get it fully irrigated for a commercial venture. He eventually began leasing his land to commercial cannabis growers. Key, a close friend of Vest, was one of the five founding members of Monkey Grass Farms, which set up its growing and processing facility in nearby Wenatchee. Vest’s land was willed to her after his death.
Vest’s personality also made an impression on Miller, who vividly remembers his generosity.
“The feeling I got from him is that he basically just liked to help anybody who needed a hand,” Miller recalled. “I didn’t know him a long period of time. … His last Thanksgiving, when we were working over here, he invited myself and another person he’d never met over for Thanksgiving dinner. The last Thanksgiving of his life. And that’s the way I remember him. … He’s just a great guy.”
Vest is remembered for more than his contribution to Washington’s young cannabis industry. His colorful background shows he made an impression on a wide range of people, places and industries.
Born in Wenatchee in 1926, Vest had lived in Omak since 1936. He traveled the state helping with the construction of various dams such as the Grand Coulee Dam and the Wanapum Dam. He then briefly owned and operated Rainbow Tavern in Okanogan before working in the lumber and paper industry until his retirement.
When Key met Vest, they were both volunteering for the Shriners. Vest needed volunteers for a barbecue and Key offered to help. Later, Vest needed help on his farm and Key offered to take the job. Key’s opportunity to start farming cannabis became a reality when Vest later agreed to lease his land to Monkey Grass Farms, which had plans for an outdoor grow before the state restricted licenses to one per company.
Soon, local residents became curious about the new farm as the operation was visible to the public. His connection to the controversial marijuana industry quickly had an impact on his reputation. While many members of the community disagreed with Vest, not everybody was
“I feel like he really swayed the community,” Key said.
Vest had always been adamant about following the rules and convinced many of the locals that cannabis businesses are viable, legitimate commercial enterprises.
“Bud was basically all by the book,” Miller said. “And now they (members of the local community) are seeing the money that’s being transmitted into the society here.”
Kaitlin Morrison is a freelance writer living in Central Washington State.