The Southern California Coast maintains a strong agricultural industry despite a host of challenges, including ever-marching urbanization.

A sometimes-overlooked key to productive farming is the role agronomists play in guiding positive outcomes.

Working in the Oxnard area, Fernando Mendez of Buttonwillow Warehouse Company is among those working to get the most out of every acre planted.  He is a PCA, CCA, and California Nitrogen Management Specialist who works to ensure that vital nutrition is utilized for strong plants, abundant crops, and sustainable farming.

He works with growers of a wide variety of crops, including avocados, citrus, cut flowers and a variety of berries, including strawberries.

“I’m always looking for the best for the growers,” he said.  “That includes sustainability, with good results, and helping the grower to make money.”

Oxnard is an important region for berries and is often mentioned as strawberry capital of the world.