From Coffee Cans to California Groves
The story of Brokaw Ranch Company begins not in sprawling orchards but in a backyard. In the 1960s, Hank and Ellen Brokaw began growing avocado trees in coffee cans, experimenting with what would become a lifelong passion. What started as a small family project quickly grew into something larger. Hank went on to become a pioneer in the avocado industry, cultivating and developing new varieties tailored to the unique conditions of their ranch.
That spirit of experimentation and care remains central to Brokaw Ranch today. The family has continued to build on Hank and Ellen’s foundation, combining innovation with a deep respect for the land that sustains them.
A Tradition of Innovation
Hank Brokaw was known not just for growing avocados but for taking bold risks with subtropical crops. On the varied terrain of the ranch, he planted everything from specialty fruits to new avocado cultivars. Many of these plantings inspired what has become one of the ranch’s signature offerings, Hank’s Box, a seasonal selection that reflects the same curiosity and creativity that guided his work.
This tradition of trying, testing, and adapting is more than a legacy. It is a way of farming that embraces change while staying true to the core value of producing food with integrity.
Good Things Grow Here
Today, the Brokaw Ranch Company crew tends groves across Ventura and Monterey Counties in California. These regions provide an ideal climate for avocados, but farming here is not without its challenges. Drought, shifting weather, and changing markets demand resilience. Brokaw Ranch meets these challenges by investing in environmentally responsible practices and staying at the forefront of agricultural innovation.
The ranch is not just a place where crops grow. It is also a community. Behind every harvest is a team of dedicated employees who bring skill, commitment, and care to the work of tending the groves. Their contributions are honored with fair wages, comprehensive benefits, and a culture of appreciation that recognizes farming as a shared effort.
A Mission Grounded in Integrity
As a multi-generational business, Brokaw Ranch Company carries forward the mission set by its founders: to achieve excellence through innovation, integrity, and leadership. That mission extends beyond the groves. It reaches into the well-being of the workforce, the health of regional agricultural communities, and the protection of the environment.
Their values are clear and consistent: respect, teamwork, trust, openness, generosity, and honesty. These principles guide decisions in the field and in the community, ensuring that the ranch’s growth is sustainable for both people and land.
The Future of Farming, Rooted in Family
More than half a century after Hank and Ellen planted their first avocado trees, the Brokaw family continues to nurture groves with the same pride and vision. They see themselves as stewards of both a legacy and a landscape. Each season is another opportunity to honor the past while preparing the land for future generations.
When you enjoy fruit from Brokaw Ranch Company, you are tasting more than what grows on California soil. You are tasting decades of care, innovation, and commitment to community. From coffee cans to orchards, from one generation to the next, Brokaw Ranch proves that good things truly grow when farming is done with heart.
