New Beginnings

Hass Harvest Festival, June 2026

I have always been a sucker for a fresh start—January 1st, a Monday morning, or any moment that feels like a turning point. Lately, I’ve been struck by how many new beginnings are unfolding around the ranch and how fortunate I am to witness them.

The local wildlife is busy starting families of its own. After we heavily pruned the eucalyptus trees this winter, our resident pair of red-tailed hawks relocated their nest to the sycamore tree. Their eyasses are remarkably vocal and persistent in their demands for food. Thankfully, that stage only lasts a few months before they take flight and begin lives of their own.

Normally the crows pass overhead at dawn and dusk on their daily commute. Glenn noticed their absence, annually they take a brief break from their routine to raise their young. Soon enough, the next generation will be joining those daily flights across the valley.

The orchards are enjoying a fresh start as well. Winter pruning and weeks of weed-whacking have transformed the landscape. The late rains kept the weeds growing longer than expected, but now that the undergrowth has been cleared, our team can easily install new irrigation lines that should serve the orchard for decades to come.

When we planted our GEM blocks, we intentionally left room for something different. The space was too narrow for another avocado row but perfect for experimentation and diversification. Over time, those rows have become home to passion fruit, lavender, yaupon, and now ice cream bean trees.

We have never tasted an ice cream bean ourselves, though we understand the flavor is extraordinary. Beyond the fruit, the trees offer other benefits. As fast-growing members of the legume family, they help break up compacted soil and naturally add nitrogen back into the ground. A plant that improves the soil while producing food is always welcome.

We also recently reinstalled the electric fence around Block G1 in preparation for the return of deer pressure. We are hopeful that clearing vegetation, reducing fire fuel, and pruning their favorite hiding places will encourage them to dine elsewhere. The wild anise growing in the backcountry, normally not a preferred menu item, is already being heavily browsed. That signals the start of their annual search for tastier options, and young avocado trees are always high on the list.

Not all new beginnings involve planting. This spring we hosted our first annual Harvest Festival to celebrate the completion of our commercial Hass harvest. Farming often requires focusing years into the future while managing the demands of each day. It can be easy to move directly from one task to the next without pausing. The festival reminded us how important it is to celebrate milestones and recognize the friends, family, vendors, subscribers, and supporters who make this journey possible. It was a wonderful weekend filled with gratitude, laughter and community.

And finally, the most meaningful new beginning of all. Logan proposed to his wonderful girlfriend, Kerry, and she said yes!  We are delighted to welcome her into our family and excited for the adventures ahead.

The ranch is full of new beginnings this month, young hawks, new plantings, fresh infrastructure, family celebrations, and plans taking root. They are all reminders that growth often starts quietly, long before we see the full results. We are grateful to witness the first chapters.

With guacamole and gratitude,

Alice