Agave & Cactus Talk

steve sanchez
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Natural Sciences
  • Updated Daily

Talking about Agave & Cactus from farms to products. I will cover using permaculture practices on farms for the new industry of California Agave & Cactus, such as the use of animals & biomimicry. California Agave today is mainly being used for spirits, and cactus fruit is mainly being used for consumption or wine. I farm both agave & cactus in Hi Vista & Lancaster, which are cities in Northeast Los Angeles County, & in the Western Mojave Desert. I will talk about my experiences, observations, opinions & tips on Agave & Cactus farming in California. I will cover what i believe the future is for these 2 plant families in california, what products i believe they most will be used for, and exciting plants. Some examples of agave products can include fiber, food, inulin, spirits, or syrup. Cactus products can be animal forage, fruit, jams, juices, & wine. Both agave and Cactus can be great plants to add for fire protection as their leaves are full of water. I will also cover the use of animals such as goats on my farms, and various systems i use to improve it, such as rainwater collection. If you have any topics you would like me to cover, or any questions feel free to leave a comment.

  1. 3d ago

    Why i think it is possible many agave farmers in California may not make any profit or quit before their agave matures

    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 same issues many of the Jaliscan farmers I know went through. Alot of good and bad to learn from Jaliscos agave industry, or Oaxaca for that matter, but California seems to be copying all the bad, so I didnt seem so hopeful lol. Anyways this podcast isnt to scare anyone, use it as a precautionary lesson to make sure your farm isnt falling into the same traps. Anyways hope you learn something and enjoy the podcast. Have a great day yall.

    1h 19m

  2. May 23

    Sourcing agave, cactus and California native plants from ethical and sustainable sellers

    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 nurseries or farmers and sustainably harvesting seed of natives from private land. They are being patient to grow out the seedlings, for sometimes many years, before they are available to consumers. Collectionism and influencers have fueled the endangerment of alot of the plants we love, so its important to make sure you suse your money to support the growers doing it correctly. As i always say the best way to vote is with your dollar. Ask your growers where they sourced the seeds and plants, and make sure you arent supporting the wild trade. Lots of plants are recycled legally, but sometimes their goals can be questionable, and if they are prioritizing profit over the survival of the species, that is a good indicator that they dont care for the plants longevity. If you are looking for california native cactus or agave let me know, have many available! we choose to be patient and grow alot of these species from seed and our own stock to guarantee their quality. Anyways enjoy the podcast and have a great day. If you have any topics you want me to dive into, let me know! the podcast is for yall and any help yall need. *** 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 Californiaagavealliance.com, we are working on creating a diverse and equitable agave industry in California. Donations are welcome if that is a mission you support! We are also on instagram as Californiaagavealliance.

    1h 12m

  3. May 14

    Peruvian Apple cactus is a perfect crop to cultivate in California

    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 got up to a few thousand, and I think thats still the most significwnt planting of peruvian apple cactus on a farm lol, pretty sad. Anyways hoping to change that slowly with teaching others and farming it. Hope you enjoy, have a good one. *** 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 Californiaagavealliance.com, we are working on creating a diverse and equitable agave industry in California. Donations are welcome if that is a mission you support! We are also on instagram as Californiaagavealliance.

    55 min

  4. May 9

    Tree cholla is a beast

    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 fruits and the whole plant is edible. An excellent forage for goats and ruminant animals, it is very versatile. Enjoy the podcast and if you want any tree cholla be sure to hit me up. Have a great day. *** 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 Californiaagavealliance.com, we are working on creating a diverse and equitable agave industry in California. Donations are welcome if that is a mission you support! We are also on instagram as Californiaagavealliance.

    1h 9m

  5. May 7

    The problem with farming opuntia ficus indica, & the solution for making it strong again

    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 lack of genetic diversity. Opuntia ficus indica is the crop that produces the famous Nopales and prickly pears you see in 99% of stores selling cactus in the USA, and it appears to be failing genetically. There is alot of hope though, and the future of opuntia ficus indica is in small farmers. backyard breeders and nursery breeders hands now. Corporate, industrial farmers destroyed the plant, but we may be able to bring it back to its indigenous roots and genetics. Genetics that prioritized hardiness, ability to dryfarm, drought tolerance, and palatibility. Anyways this was a topic ive discussed at length with other cactus farmers, so thought id talk about it today. Have a great day and if you have any questions or topics you want me to discuss, leave a comment on hit me up. *** 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 Californiaagavealliance.com, we are working on creating a diverse and equitable agave industry in California. Donations are welcome if that is a mission you support! We are also on instagram as Californiaagavealliance.

    1h 17m

  6. May 2

    Opuntia Phaeacantha and the USA cactus industry

    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 Mexicans, using only opuntia ficus indica for the majority of cultivation. I explain why this is idiotic considering Phaeacantha and native species, and why this will bite us in the behind one day. Anyways enjoy the podcast, it was great audio most the 2 and a half hours, but the wind did fk with me a bit. Rest assured I am working on finding a better wind reduction program that can edit my audio files and when I do, I will re-upload any file that exceeds the current standard. Have a great day yall! *** 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 Californiaagavealliance.com, we are working on creating a diverse and equitable agave industry in California. Donations are welcome if that is a mission you support! We are also on instagram as Californiaagavealliance.

    2h 32m

  7. May 2

    Using California Native plants to make products & our new product Mojave Gold!

    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. Today i talk about one of the first products we felt ready to release to all of you and the public, which is mojave gold, a balm/salve made out of creosote and white bursage. It has replaced a dozen + products in ny hygiene shelf and its being received really well, so we hope to keep providing it. Anyways hope you enjoy the podcast and learn something, have a great day! *** 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 Californiaagavealliance.com, we are working on creating a diverse and equitable agave industry in California. Donations are welcome if that is a mission you support! We are also on instagram as Californiaagavealliance.

    1h 11m

  8. Mar 24

    Different resources for learning about agave farming in California

    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 Californiaagavealliance.com, we are working on creating a diverse and equitable agave industry in California. Donations are welcome if that is a mission you support! We are also on instagram as Californiaagavealliance. Have a great day everyone and enjoy!

    54 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Talking about Agave & Cactus from farms to products. I will cover using permaculture practices on farms for the new industry of California Agave & Cactus, such as the use of animals & biomimicry. California Agave today is mainly being used for spirits, and cactus fruit is mainly being used for consumption or wine. I farm both agave & cactus in Hi Vista & Lancaster, which are cities in Northeast Los Angeles County, & in the Western Mojave Desert. I will talk about my experiences, observations, opinions & tips on Agave & Cactus farming in California. I will cover what i believe the future is for these 2 plant families in california, what products i believe they most will be used for, and exciting plants. Some examples of agave products can include fiber, food, inulin, spirits, or syrup. Cactus products can be animal forage, fruit, jams, juices, & wine. Both agave and Cactus can be great plants to add for fire protection as their leaves are full of water. I will also cover the use of animals such as goats on my farms, and various systems i use to improve it, such as rainwater collection. If you have any topics you would like me to cover, or any questions feel free to leave a comment.

Information

  • Creator
    steve sanchez
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Agave & Cactus Talk