Better Together: More Than One Note

For many years, I’ve carried a simple philosophy: When you see a problem, you have three choices:  fix it, accept it, or walk away.

What I don’t believe in is lingering in the middle. Complaining without action isn’t a solution—it’s just noise. If something truly matters, you act. If it doesn’t, you let it go. That philosophy has been quietly guiding a big decision here on the ranch.

For decades, lemons were good to our family—and to the Valley as a whole. They were reliable, familiar, and part of the rhythm of this place. Until they weren’t. We waited for the market to turn. We gave it time. But after several years of losing money, it became clear: this wasn’t a dip. It was a direction.

So, we chose option three. We walked away.

And here’s the best part, I’m genuinely excited about what comes next. We’re leaning further into something I believe in deeply: diversity makes everything better.

You can taste it in a bowl of guacamole. One variety is good. But blend a Fuerte, a Hass, maybe a Reed,  now you have something layered—creamy, bright, complex. Each one brings something different, and together they’re better than any one alone.

The orchard works the same way. Diversity isn’t just protection, it's a possibility. Different trees bloom at different times. They respond differently to heat, wind, and water. They invite different pollinators. They create a more dynamic, balanced system.

And they simply perform better. One of my favorite places on the ranch is what we call “Cocktail Corner.” Reeds, Fuertes, and Hass all grow shoulder-to-shoulder there, their branches overlapping, their roots sharing space along a tight little bend in the road. Maybe it’s my imagination, but those trees seem to thrive together. More fruit. Better size. A little pocket of abundance.

That idea is shaping what we do next. We are interplanting our avocados, different varieties on different rootstock, alongside macadamia nuts, Yaupon and lavender. It’s a mix that might not look conventional, but it makes sense when you step back and see the whole picture. 

Different harvest windows. Different markets. Different strengths. Multiple revenue streams, yes—but also a more vibrant, resilient, and interesting ranch. It’s an orchard that hums a little differently. Bees moving through avocado bloom into lavender. Shade, scent, texture, and timing all layered together. This is farming with more than one note.

We’re not just replacing lemons—we’re expanding the story of this place. Because diversity isn’t just a hedge, it’s an advantage. It creates better fruit, stronger systems, and a ranch that can adapt, evolve and be a joy.

And if I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s this: There is no time to complain. Let’s get to work.