County Fair to Honor Area Nursery Owner

Hank Brokaw, who founded Brokaw Nursery in 1955 and is a pioneer of the avocado industry, has been named the 1998 Agriculturist of the Year by the Ventura County Fair Board of Directors.

“I’m honored, but I kinda feel like it’s partly because I’ve been around so long,” said the 71-year-old Brokaw, who remains active in the family business he founded in his backyard.

Brokaw will receive a plaque Aug. 14 during the fair’s junior livestock auction.

This is the ninth year the award has been given to a farmer, rancher or notable member of the local agriculture industry.

“He’s a longtime activist for the agricultural community and he’s well-respected,” said Pat Kelley, vice president of Central Coast Farm Credit, who nominated Brokaw for the honor.

Brokaw, whose nursery grows 200,000 kiwi, avocado and citrus trees annually, specializes in growing subtropical plants ranging from cherimoya to mangoes.

A Whittier native, he gave up a decade-long high school teaching career as his nursery business grew.

Brokaw’s achievements include developing grafting techniques that improved the propagation efficiency of avocado trees. A scientist, farmer and educator, he is acknowledged as a global expert on exotic fruit.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve brought to the nursery industry,” Brokaw said.