Avocado Growers and Farms

Bill and Anne’s Story

Anne Coy is the daughter of Bob Blanchard, the first grower in San Luis Obispo County to test growing citrus and avocados. She grew up on the grove but left the trees for tall buildings when she married Bill Coy. Bill was a city boy who spent 25 years in marketing at JC Penney as well as managing a farm store for 10 years. Anne dreamed of retiring with Bill to her old stomping grounds, and Bill got a taste of the grower lifestyle by helping out his father-in-law during vacations. Eventually they turned Anne’s dream into reality after her father made them an offer they couldn’t refuse. They became partners with Blanchard, planting their avocado grove together from scratch.

Nowadays growing avocados is a family business enjoyed by the Coy’s, their daughter Julie and their adult grandchildren. Keeping their avocado grove sustainable for generations to come is very important, so they use water conservation methods including drip irrigation and use avocado growing practices like natural leaf mulch that help improve the quality of the soil. Their avocado farm also has buffer zones in place to protect local biodiversity.

Bill Coy, who also served as a county supervisor for eight years, is extremely passionate about growing avocados and carries on a self-professed “love affair” with the fruit. He is officially living the dream and has a permanent smile to prove it.

BILL AND ANNE’S FAVORITE WAYS TO ENJOY CALIFORNIA AVOCADOS

Anne Coy is a whiz in the kitchen, whipping up recipes like California Avocado hot sauce bowls and freezer guacamole.

Bill doesn’t have just one favorite way to enjoy California Avocados. He loves them in a wide variety of dishes including plain, on avocado toast, in omelets and egg dishes, guacamole and salads.