ASAP: Aguas Sagradas Avocado Project
Hello all,
Michael here again for this update.
The Aguas Sagradas Ranch covers about 15 acres; however, it’s divided in half by a year-round stream that runs through it lengthwise. This means almost half of the ranch was rendered inaccessible, except for the cattle and others who were willing to forge the stream.
Not willing to allow anything to go to waste, for the past 4+ years I have been studying ways to put that large portion of land into production beyond its current grazing value. My first challenge was to construct a bridge durable enough to sustain trucks and tractors. We accomplished that earlier this year, largely with materials salvaged here on site... huge beams cut 5 years ago from large fallen trees, sturdy steel drain pipes found buried in a field, a bit of cement and some strong planks... and a bridge was created.
Now that we had access, we needed ideas and information. Those came by way of some “chance" introductions.
We had the opportunity to be invited to visit 2 different ranchers in the area. Both happened to be experienced avocado experts, and both were generous to share their expertise and advice. They even came to Aguas Sagradas to evaluate our conditions. The result: we have ideal conditions for an avocado project! We have great soil, an abundance of water, and perfect orientation to the sun’s travel pattern—not to mention huge market demand.
The photo below is Celeste and me in front of an avocado tree we planted here just 3 years ago. Yes, that is only 3 years old and in its second year of production. Avocados of this variety will produce 2 harvests per year, and can produce for 30-40 years or more.
We believe this is another great way to generate resources to support this mission and the girls that we will be hosting here and to best utilize the land with which the Lord has blessed us.
Therefore, we have begun our ASAP: Aguas Sagradas Avocado Project. We are currently prepping fields (pulling old stumps, grading etc.) and have the capacity for up to 600 avocado trees in our present location. We’re able to plant a 3-4-foot-tall seedling for a total cost of $15.00 per tree. This includes the purchase of the tree, irrigation supplies, fertilizer, and labor—everything it takes to begin a 30–40-year revenue stream that will pour into the support, education and care of our girls.
Will you join in ASAP? How many trees are YOU able to plant to help support the costs of this ranch, and the opportunities it presents to change the course of the lives of the girls who come here? $150 plants 10 trees. $1500 plants 100.
Thank you for joining us in this exciting new project.
Until they all come HOME,
Michael and Celeste Peters