Is Regenerative Farming the Future for Avocados Citrus Strawberries for Ventura County?

Bringing farmers together to discuss the foundations
of ‘regenerative’ farming priorities and practices.

What to Expect

May 4 - Avocados & Citrus

  • 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM

  • 8:30-8:40 a.m.

    Speaker: Tina Thomson, Rancho Dos Hermanas

  • Speaker: Daniel Chavez, Rodale Institute

  • 8:45 a.m.

    Speakers: Maureen McGuire, VC Farm Bureau

  • 8:50 a.m.

    Speaker: Lan King, King & King Ranch

  • 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

    Liz Scordato, Hamutahl Cohen, and students will be sharing data on avocado citrus study- diversified systems land management practices.

  • 10:15 - 11:00 a.m.

    Moderator: Ben Faber, UC ANR

    Speakers:

    1. Conor Jones, East End Eden – regenerative farming consultant – whole systems – animals in orchards

    2.  Andy Sheaffer Vista Punta Gorda Ranch -750 acres avocados and Robert Abbott - Hill Top and Canyon – avocados and citrus

    3.  Michael Sullivan – orchard manager

  • 11:00 a.m - 12:00 PM

    1. Cover cropping in orchards – Annemiek Schilder, UCCE                                                                                                               

    2. Irrigation efficiency – Ben Faber, UC ANR

    3. Hedgerows/Riparian zones – CalPoly Pomona

    4. Pesticide alternatives – IPM – Michelle Haase, Oxnard Pest Control

    5. Regenerative systems – animals in orchards – Connor Jones, East End Eden

  • 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.

  • 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

    Lunch provided by Roan Mills - Grains in a regenerative landscape 15 min talk – Andrea Crawford, owner

  • 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

    Outdoor exploration and ranch tour. CalPoly Pomona, Liz Scordato/Hamutahl Cohen and Rancho Dos Hermanas – Tina Thomson

  • 2:45 - 3:45 p.m.

    1. Water management tools – Robert Abbott and Andy Scheaffer

    2. Labor issues – Agustin Vega, Milpa

    3. Food hubs – Mike Roberts, Farmivore

    4. Organic Certification – CCOF/Farmhand/ROC

    5. Organic Certification – CCOF/Farmhand/ROC

  • 4:00 p.m.

  • 5:00 p.m.

May 11 - Strawberries

  • 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

  • 8:30-8:40 a.m.

    Speaker: Phil McGrath, McGrath Family Farms

  • 8:40 - 8:50 a.m.

    Speaker: Daniel Chavez, Rodale Institute

  • 8:50 - 10:00 a.m.

    Speakers: Tony Serrano – owner JAS - Regenerative Organic Certified 400 acres strawberries and vegetables wholesale operation / Jonathan Lundgren - Ecdysis – the 1000 Farm Initiative

  • 10:15 – 10:45am

    Moderator: Ben Faber

    Speakers: Phil McGrath, Tony Serrano, Jacob Pecenka – Rodale Institute

  • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

    1. Hedge rows and bird boxes – RCD staff

    2. Pest Management - Michelle Haase - Oxnard Pest Control

    3. Foliar Sprays – Matthiew Grieshop, Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research, CalPoly San Luis Obispo

    4. Plastic alternatives and reduction – Jazmine Mejia-Munoz - Monterey Bay Water Quality Management.  Oxnard farm project.

  • 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

    Farmivore – Mike Roberts – 5 min. overview

  • 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

    Farm tour with Dr. Jon Lundgren, Phil McGrath, Rodale team, and Tony Serrano.

  • 2:45 - 3:45 p.m.

    1. Regeneration includes people - discussion with Milpa, Lucas Zucker – looking at less oppressive systems – farm workers/community support

    2. Supply/Demand – Farmivore, Erewhon, Gelsons

    3. CCOF and Ojai Organic Cert, Rodale, Farm Hand – demystifying organic certification – grant opportunities – addressing the lack of organic plant starts.

    4. Science – Arianna Bozzolo – Rodale Institute West Coast/Annemiek Schilder - UCCE

  • 5:00 p.m.