CALIFORNIA AVOCADO GROWERS

an image of andy sheaffer

Andy Sheaffer

Ventura County

GROWER HIGHLIGHTS

  • First-generation California Avocado farmer
  • Started growing California Avocados in 2008
  • Grows organic avocados

VARIETIES GROWN

Bacon
Avocado Gem Variety Gem®
Gwen
Hass
Lamb Hass
Reed
Zutano

Andy’s Story

Andy Sheaffer became a California Avocado grower in 2008 while still working as a geotechnical engineering contractor. In 2015 he turned his focus mainly to the avocado groves he planted high on hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean. There are hundreds of varieties of avocados growing in California, and Andy grows many different ones including even more than are listed above!

Andy and his wife Kathy exclusively grow organic avocados. His sister also is an avocado farmer. They take great care to protect the land, using avocado leaf mulch to shade the tree roots and naturally enrich soil. The Sheaffer’s grove is part of an irrigated lands management group and they use water conservation methods such as drip irrigation. They also take advantage of the California sunshine with the installation of a 225kw solar system that offsets about 85-90% of their energy consumption. They have adopted a regenerative philosophy that incorporates regular mulching of the trees, cover cropping and feeding the soil biology with custom mineral blends and biochar products.

Giving back to the community is important to Andy, who is a member of his local school board, an assistant scout master for the Boy Scouts and a parent advisor for his chapter of the Future Farmers of America.

ANDY’S FAVORITE WAYS TO ENJOY CALIFORNIA AVOCADOS

Andy’s favorite way to enjoy California Avocados is in guacamole, and he enjoys them in salsa and tacos. He also loves avocado toast and eating California Avocados in salads, sushi, omelets and egg dishes as well as on sandwiches and burgers.