Agave & Cactus Talk

 This is the 2nd of the California Agave Alliance podcasts, and this one is a discussion on California Assembly Bill 2606, aka "CA AB 2606" and it's implications for the agave industry.  Today we discussed the primary bill that will be affecting agave farmers in California, CA AB 2606. As hosts, from the California agave alliance, are Dr. Samuel Sandoval, Agave researcher at UC Davis, and Steve Sa...

Skip to 3 minutes in, thats where we all connect and the podcast starts. Today on the podcast we have Dr. Samuel Sandoval Solis and Dr. Yessica Fernandez, both working on agave at UC Davis and apart of the California Agave Alliance. We discuss the California agave industry, what we are seeing from farmers and different agave species that are being planted. We were suppose to have Angel Reyna, Pres...

Today i am talking about acalifornia grapes and how agave and cactus farming may provide an avenue for many of these farmers to adapt, survive ot even continue growing grapes. I also talk about greater implications of switching large acreage of grapes to agave and cactus. Could agave and cactus let these farmers still make wine and tons of other products, allowing them to stay in buisness or conti...

Today i am talking about a topic that was brought up in discussion with one of my friends surrounding cultivation of agave utahensis in China. Alot ro learn from their rapid scaling of the cultivation of agave utahensis. Some cool stuff going on over there, and as a california agave farmer, they lowkey beating us at our own game lol. Anyways hope you like the podcast, have a good one. *** If you n...

In today's episode i am talking about a question someone asked me that also farms agave in California. He asked me for my honest opinion on farming agave in california and the potential of any of these farmers to make substantial profits the way they are farming. I responded most probably would quit or go bankrupt, or not generate any profit, and that many farmers would basically go through the sa...

Today I am talking about sourcing agave, cactus and California native plants from ethical and sustainable sellers. Not all sellers are the same. Some bulk import agave and take advantage of mexican farmers, some take directly from the wild to fuel supply, some harvest from public land without a care for the ecosystem. Then there are sellers growing agave, cactus and native plants from local nurser...

Today I talk about one of the coolest columnar cacti in my opinion, peruvian apple cactus. Its an excellent crop for silviculture models, food forrests, fruit farms and it can help other plants grow better. Its fruit is one of the top cactus fruits already without any improvements needed i think, and its very surprising to me nobody is farming it in California. I began to farm it a decade ago and...

Today I am talking about one of the strongest cacti that I grow, Tree cholla or Cylindropuntia Imbricata subs Spinosior. It is a plant i have farmed for many years and been impressed by. It is an excellent crop to dryfarm in California and the Southwest, and potentially half the United States. Cold, drought, heat, frost, and wind tolerant, it really is a beast. It produces alot of flowers and frui...

Today I am discussing Opuntia ficus indica, which is the most grown cactus in the world likely. From Africa to the Americas and even in Europe and the middle east, this crop has been global for several centuries now. Its incurred the same problem of Agave Angustifolia, sbs tequiliana, cv blue weber, and Agave angustifolia sbs espadin, which is propogation by mostly clones, resulting in an extreme...

In this podcast I talk about Opuntia Phaeacantha , or the desert prickly pear. It is native to the mojave desert in California, and is one of the strongest opuntia species for cultivation. I can see a future where phaecantha goes all over the usa and is on alot of farms. It could be the cactus that jumpstarts the usa cactus industry, but for the moment USA continues making the same errors as Mexic...

Today im talking a bit about the California Native plants im growing, and how identification of them has completely changed how i look at my farm. Instead of seeing it as something wild now I see it as a herbal scrubland full of plants that can be utilized and managed like a farm. Keeping a large portion of the farm wild has always been my goal, so future generations may see the desert as I saw it...

in this podcast I discuss some of my favorite resources for farming agave and cactus in California *** If you need any Agave, cactus or furcraea plants contact me by email or message me on : instagram: farmingandgardeningcalifornia email: ranchoorodelmojave@gmail.com contact form on agaverocaliforniano.com Youtube: Agavero Californiano *** Also visit and support the California Agave Alliance, at C...

in this podcast I discuss what seems like a simple question, how many agave do I need for every acre I am planting? This is actually a complex question like almost everything in farming lol. I try to answer it in this short podcast i did while I sorted seeds, but as you see, the answer is - It varies, and it varies alot ! Anyways enjoy this podcast and have a great day. If you have anyone you woul...

in this podcast I discuss a little bit about cactus seed oils and why I think cactus farmers in california and globally should begin to start prickly pear oil at a craft level to be ready to take advantage of a booming industry that is developing in the United states and globally. Prickly pear seed oils are increasingly being used in cosmetics, food processing and for other benefits which may incl...

in this podcast I discuss the 5 biggest misconceptions i am seeing with new farmers of agave in california. These are pretty dangerous misconceptions and I definitely encourage caution to any farmer that believes one of them to be true. They can set you up for failure, so listen to this podcast and hopefully avoid believing them. Have a great day, hope yall enjoy! *** If you need any Agave, cactus...

In this podcast I discuss what Agave are confirmed Native to California, some which are naturalized and some that have been created here. We have 6 confirmed and 3 possibile california native agaves, several dozen naturalized agave, and potentially thousands created by backyard breeders, collectors, farmers, tissue culturalists, university and garden institutions. Lots of potential from California...

in this podcast I discuss why every agave farm in California should be growing their CA Native Plants that are hyperlocal to them. I talk about how I am doing this and why I see it as a huge aid to any agave farm. Native plants can be farmed and im doing it. You can do it also and it can improve & save your ecosystem. Many remove their virginity land, or strip till for a clean slate, and hopef...

in this podcast I discuss why having a plan to deal with rattlesnakes is great for your farm. Rattlesnakes can live in simbiosis with farmers and proving many positive benefits such as rodent control, disease control, seed dispersal, & aeration. Rattlesnakes in balance can significantly boost the number of agave and cactus that live on your farm and boost overall plant health. Much like my gro...

Today we talk about different methods of fertilizing or improving the soil for your agave and cactus. All these ways are natural, non synthetic chemical methods that will not only aid your agave & cactus, but also make you more profitable and adaptable. Copying nature often results in alot less work as well. Enjoy todays podcast. If you need any Agave, cactus or furcraea plants contact me by e...

Todays episode is on how to boost the burrowing owls on your farm, such as making suitable habitat for them, and why you want more burrowing owls. They can be an important part of pest managment and can be wonderful wildlife addition to your property. Funny enough dogs play a crucial part in attracting burrowing owls. Anyways have a greay day! *** If you need any Agave, cactus or furcraea plants c...

Today we are talking about how saponins from agaves could potentially be a huge disruptor in the chemical industry globally and the usa. The industrial spraying of herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, anti bacterial, & anti viral chemicals can potentially be replaced by agave saponins. They are natural plant chemicals already found in natural settings and possess many anti viral, bacterial, fun...

In this pod I talk about some of the recently planted fruit and leguminous trees that me and Nori have added to the farm. They each have some great benefits for an agave and cactus farm so i talk a little about what I love about all of them and each one individually. The trees i talk about are: Mexican Palo Verde ( Punko) Chinese Mormon Apricot Fig tree Chilean Mesquite Pink Lady Apply Fruiting Ol...

Today I talk about several of the different columnar cacti I grow on my farm for forage, fruits, flowers etc. Most of them are very drought, cold, & wind hardy. Its been a huge surprise to me none of them have been commercialized because of their enormous potential. Hope yall enjoy, this was kind of a long one haha. *** If you need any Agave, cactus or furcraea plants contact me by email or me...

Season 2 Episode 41 of Agave & Cactus Talk. A conversation on Agave with my friend Chris from @nativotexas . We chat about our agave farms and some of the things we have been implementing! Merry Xmas to everyone 🎄    

Todays episode is a primer on beginning to think of agave as a building material. It has been used for lots of different building solutions from foundations, floors, walls, roofing, and as replacement studs among other uses. Enjoy the podcast, and have a great day! *** If you need any Agave, cactus or furcraea plants contact me by email or message me on : instagram: farmingandgardeningcalifornia e...