New Head of Ag Land to Focus on Tree Crops

Tempo.

That’s the main difference between growing tree crops such as citrus and avocado and growing row crops like celery and strawberries, said Tom McGrath, newly named president of Ag Land Services of Somis.

Ag Land manages avocado and citrus orchards in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, and provides technical advice and assistance in all aspects of farming, including irrigation, fertilization, pruning of trees and harvesting.

McGrath, a member of a pioneer Ventura County farming family, will shift his focus from the family’s row crop business to tree crops.

“Farming tree crops is a lot slower paced,” McGrath said. “With tree crops, you have considerably more flexibility as to when you harvest. You just don’t have quite as perishable a crop. A strawberry grower gets on a very tight cycle. When that fruit is ready to be harvested, it’s got to be harvested that day so the fruit doesn’t get ruined.”

Tree crops also require a particularly long commitment.

“When you make that commitment to plant a tree, it’s usually 20 years minimum,” he said.