Grove Management

There are several professional grove management companies and independent grove managers to choose from when purchasing an avocado grove.

Grove management services and fees vary depending on the grove manager and the arrangement negotiated between the grove owner and grove manager/company. Typical services include grove management and irrigation, soil testing and leaf analysis, pest control, fertilization, fruit marketing and recommendations for tree maintenance. Water is the biggest expense for the avocado grower; therefore, irrigation efficiency should be a top priority. There are various government funded programs which provided unbiased information for farmers on irrigation efficiency. The watering techniques utilized by your grove manager can greatly affect the yield of your crop. The formulas are somewhat complex and you need to choose a professional grove manager you can depend on to care for your grove throughout the annual weather fluctuations.

Different grove managers utilize different theories and farm management techniques. Some utilize organic farming methods while others strictly utilize commercial methods. Before you purchase a grove, or during your escrow time period, you should contact the grove manager who has previously been managing the grove you intend to purchase. Historical knowledge of the grove production, expenses and the management techniques utilized can be very beneficial. You can also meet with other grove managers to decide whether or not you choose to continue with the existing grove manager, or choose to employ a different grove manager/company. I additionally recommend that my clients hire an independent professional grove inspector for an evaluation of the grove they intend to purchase.

The grove you purchase may be organic or it may be non-organic. If you purchase a non-organic grove, most can be converted to organic if you choose to utilize organic farming methods… and vice versa. It is wise to consider market trends and avocado prices when making your determination. The choice is yours, so long as the grove you purchase is not under a contractual agreement with a particular grove management company. Always ask before you purchase. Even if the grove you purchase is under contract, most contracts can be renegotiated and terms are usually for not more than 1 year.