A new pilot program allows people to adopt individual avocado trees from local farms and share in their harvests, all while helping struggling avocado farmers, according to its founder. The “Adopt an Avocado Tree” program was created by Chuck Samuelson, founder and executive director of local non-profit Heal the Earth. The pilot program has partnered with Wild Acres Farm, a 34-acre organic avocado farm in Bonsall, to give adopters the opportunity to receive fresh avocados directly to their home. It’s “built on a simple idea: using technology to connect avocado lovers directly with the groves that feed them,” said Chuck Samuelson, founder and executive director of Heal the Earth. “The goal is to create a sustainable e-commerce platform that enables avocado growers to sell their fruit directly to consumers, helping small farms weather economic headwinds and preserve San Diego’s agricultural heritage.” Adopters name a tree on the farm, receive its GPS coordinates, a digital certificate, and a photo of their adopted tree. Their tree will receive a nameplate in their honor. There are additional benefits based on which tier level adopters choose: California Avocado Roots Supporter: Adopt an avocado tree for $100 and support regenerative farming practices that preserve San Diego’s orchards. Avocado Harvest Partner: This level includes the adoption of a tree and four shipments of freshly harvested organic avocados (12 per shipment) delivered over a 2-month period for $300 Avocado Grove Steward: This level includes the adoption of a tree and eight shipments of organic avocados delivered over 2 months for $500. The avocados adopters receive are never gassed or refrigerated, allowing them to naturally ripen. The adoption fees help farmers fund sustainable water use, soil health and biodiversity initiatives on the farms, Samuelson said. This isn’t just a subscription box; it’s a relationship. When you adopt a tree, you’re helping to keep local agriculture alive,” Samuelson said. Once recognized as one of the avocado capitals of the world, San Diego County has seen nearly half of its avocado acreage disappear over the last two decades. According to the produce industry website Fresh Plaza, in 2008, the region had 26,000 acres of avocado groves. By 2024, that number had dropped to 13,000 acres as growers faced soaring water costs, labor shortages and wholesale market changes. As San Diego avocado acreage shrank, foreign imports of avocado rose. According to Agronometrics, roughly 90% of avocados sold in the U.S. now come from imports, primarily Mexico. This surge of lower-cost imported avocados has flooded the market, keeping retail prices low but squeezing local growers who operate under higher production costs. “I had to do something. The current model isn’t working for local avocado farmers,” Samuelson said. “We want to give people a way to directly invest in the farmers who grow their food.” While the program launched with one partner, Wild Acres, Samuelson hopes this model can spread to other farmers and other crops. ...read more read less