Ventura County avocado farmer loses crops in Mountain Fire, says his retirement plan is now gone

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

https://abc7.com/post/75-year-old-ventura-county-avocado-farmer-relying-land-retirement-loses-crops-irrigation-system-mountain-fire/15541474/

SOMIS, Calif. (KABC) -- The Mountain Fire ripped through Sergio Acevedo's 2-acre farm, destroying nearly 100 of his 300 avocado trees.

The 75 year old said he saw his crops go up in flames on TV news coverage.

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He bought the 2-acre parcel of farmland with a chunk of his savings. It was his dream to grow avocados and retire from his job as a diesel mechanic becoming a full-time farmer.

Now, he says his retirement is now down to "nothing."

For the last nearly 25 years, Acevedo said he poured his heart and soul into his farm. Not only did the fire torch his trees, the blaze also destroyed his irrigation system. He said he does not have insurance to cover the damage.

"This is his peaceful place. This is his retirement. This is his magical place where he comes and just unwinds. And my mom comes out here, and this is their life savings. And at this point, they kind of have to start over, and go from scratch, and it's hard at 75, you know, he's a very private man. But I said, Dad, you know we need help. You need help, At 75 to start over again is a huge financial burden," said Acevedo's daughter, Wendy Acevedo-Solis.

[lapfog_1]

1. I thought 2 acres was sort of small

but with "dense planting" ( 350 trees per acre ), and taking into account labor and water and other inputs, he stands to earn around $50K per year from mature trees. Unfortunately, even with healthy saplings from a tree farm, it's 5 years before the trees start to produce avocados. Not sure he can hang on even with family help. Maybe with help from FEMA but I don't know that FEMA does "crop insurance".

Unfortunately it will cost him $88,000 to replace with Haas fast growing avocado trees plus the irrigation system... and, like I said, he will need to wait 4 to 5 years before they start producing avocados for sale.

*My dad grew up on an avocado farm so I've always had an interest.

[spooky3]

2. Maybe a GoFundMe? Maybe CA has ways to help? Nt