FALLBROOK – Situated among the hundreds of small farms within the De Luz area of Temecula and Fallbrook, there is one avocado growing operation for which the color green describes more than just the lush foliage that blankets its steep slopes and the creamy fruit that is prized among connoisseurs of Mexican food. Jim Brown, who owns 16 acres and manages another 30 acres of avocados near Via Vaquero and Sandia Creek Road, operates an avocado farming enterprise with the goal of maximizing his profit margin while minimizing waste and environmental impacts. 

"I’m applying on average two acre feet (one acre foot is approximately 326,000 gallons) of water and we are averaging 10-12,000 pounds per acre," Brown said. "Other growers apply more water and produce less."

"The bottom line is that if we do not improve our yields and minimize our water costs, the California avocado grower is gone," said Alec Mayall of Mission Resource Conservation District in Fallbrook. "Jim Brown is a grower who is near the cutting edge of irrigation efficiency and management. He uses soil moisture sensors to guide his irrigation schedule, adjusts his practices as needed, and it’s working well for him."

There’s been a lot of argument over the years as to how much water avocado trees actually require. Some research says the requirement is around three acre feet per acre, and others say its four acre feet. The reality is that Brown is producing well above the county average with relatively little water.  This is simply the result of soil moisture sensors, small electronic devices buried in the soil under the trees, providing information to guide his.