“All About Avocados” — a workshop at the 2026 EcoFarm conference

Alongside Ellen Baker and Freddy Menge of Epicenter Avocado Nursery in Santa Cruz County, I will be giving a presentation titled “All about Avocados” at the 2026 EcoFarm Conference on January 22.

More specifically, our presentation/workshop will be on Thursday, January 22, 2026 from 3:30 to 5 PM. And the event is held at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove (near Monterey).

This conference is oriented toward farmers, and more narrowly, organic-style farmers.

Here is a synopsis of what Ellen, Freddy, and I will be covering:

All about Avocados: varieties, growing, grafting and marketing

Avocados are an exceptional fruit that originated in Mexico and Central America. The demand for them is exploding, the market can’t get enough of them, but they can be a challenge to produce.

In this session we will discuss the practical aspects of producing them on a commercial small scale. Although the variety Hass will be discussed, some important new varieties will be introduced that have a place in direct market situations. Focus will be on low input, water wise, organic cultural techniques. Expansion into zones suitable for production will be stressed. In addition, pollination, propagation, pruning, harvesting and marketing and other topics will be discussed.

I have never attended an EcoFarm Conference before so this will be a new experience for me. I am told that it is well known among farmers of the organic bent, especially on the West Coast. Here is how it describes itself:

“The EcoFarm Conference is one of the largest and longest-running gatherings of sustainable and organic farmers, ranchers, and food system advocates in the U.S. Held annually in California, it offers a dynamic space for learning, networking, and collaboration through workshops, keynote speakers, farm tours, and hands-on demonstrations.”

I think this workshop will be especially valuable because my avocado experiences and skills are perfectly complemented by those of Freddy and Ellen. They have an excellent understanding of growing avocados north of Point Conception whereas most of my experience is based in the southern part of California. They run an avocado tree nursery and have expertise in propagation. I have dedicated years to learning about avocado irrigation, and I interact with many larger-scale avocado farmers.

All three of us are enthusiastic about varieties.

Here you can check out details on our workshop and others at the 2026 EcoFarm Conference.

I’d love to see you there.