You can hear the almost rhythmic sounds of sprinklers as they water the South Coast newest avocado orchard. It’s as state of the art as you can get. But, it’s located in an unlikely spot. The acre plus orchard is on a college campus. It’s part of an effort to revitalize Ventura College’s agricultural program.
Dorothy Farias is an Assistant Professor at Ventura College. She’s coordinates the college’s ag program. Agriculture was a big part of the college’s offerings in the 1950’s and 60’s, but the program all but disappeared in recent years. There are currently about 20 ag students, but Farias says the goal is to beef up classes, and enrollment.
