An organic farmer with over 40 years of experience, he is a trained naturalist and a docent for the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy in California. He teaches the Master Composters Training Course, Gardening and Composting classes and workshops on Integrated Waste Management, sustainable food systems and permaculture design.
Work and Life:
Planted and managed avocado and citrus groves in California for over 35 years.
Perusing organic and sustainable farming methods in the 1990s, he owns and operates Organic Grove and Garden Service designing and installing organic vegetable gardens, family fruit orchards, edible and native plant landscapes.
He is currently working on projects in Europe, India, and the U.S.
One of his specialities is designing and building organic waste recycling systems, in the U.S., Europe and India where he has opened three institutional food waste composting facilities turning waste into a valuable resource.
He loves teaching children and families to become more sustainable at home and in their daily lives. His passion for preserving and restoring degraded ecosystems is reflected in all his work.
“Inspired by nature, I design systems for future generations.”
Work Experience:
StraightAsh Environmental Solutions, Encinitas, CA from 2009
Owner, Consultant: Consult internationally on Integrated Waste Management,
Organics Recycling, and Sustainable Agriculture.
Solana Center for Environmental Innovation, Encinitas, CA from 2007
Composting & Gardening Educator.
Pete’s Organic Grove & Garden Service, Encinitas, CA from 1996
Owner, Supervisor: Consult, design and plant Family Fruit Orchards,
Edible & Native Plant Landscapes.
West Coast Grove Management, Rancho Santa Fe, CA from 1989 to 1996
Owner, Supervisor: Supervised all field operations for the avocado & citrus grove management company maintaining approximately 500 acres for 35 customers. Designed and installed irrigation systems, planted trees, managed harvests and inventories. Hired and supervised workforce.
Rancho Taza, Ltd., Fallbrook, CA (1982 – 1989)
Supervisor/Forman: Supervised all field operations on 300-acre avocado & citrus grove. Planned, designed and planted undeveloped land including irrigation systems, roads, grove layout. Hired and supervised workforce, purchased and maintained inventories.
Professional Training:
Soil Food Web Microbiology Training Course with Dr Elaine Ingham 2011 & 2013
U. S. Composting Council Compost Operations training course, Davis, CA 2011
International Permaculture Design Certificate Course Warren Brush 2012
Biodynamic Agriculture Training Courses with Biodynamic Association of India
2009, 2010, 2011
Master Composter Training Course 2007
Professional Experience:
Presenter at BioCycle Conference, San Diego, CA 2011
Presenter at BioCycle Conference, Portland, OR 2012
Presenter at NC State University’s Vermiculture Conference,
Chapel Hill, NC 2012
Presenter at Clean India Conference, New Delhi, India 2010
Presenter and Trainer at Organic Farmer’s Association of India Conference, Gujarat, India 2010
Compost Trainer at Biodynamic Association of India’s Biodynamic & Sustainable Agriculture Training, Karnataka, India 2009, 2010
Volunteer Experience:
Docent, San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy, Encinitas, CA 2007 – Present
New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity 2005, 2006
Rainbow Volunteer Fire Department 1985 -1988
Gitamritam speaker in the year 2013.