Raised in the Dirt, Rooted in Ventura County
Gabe Etcheverry grew up in Fillmore and worked the groves with his family long before stepping into the field as a licensed pest control advisor. He’s now part of the front line helping farmers manage pests, meet state requirements, and make tough calls on what crops to grow—or walk away from.
What a Pest Control Advisor Really Does
PCA might sound like just another job title, but it’s one of the most hands-on roles in ag. Gabe breaks down what he does every day, how he builds trust with growers, and how PCAs act as a critical link between farming operations, science, and state regulators.
Cost vs. Compliance: What Growers Are Dealing With
From rising input prices and water uncertainty to labor costs and pesticide restrictions, Gabe shares a candid look at what growers are up against. He walks us through how even profitable farms can start to unravel when margins get thin and options shrink.
Pest Problems Are Getting Worse
Gabe lays out how invasive pests like thrips, fruit flies, and HLB are changing the game in Ventura County. We talk about what’s working, what’s not, and how the growing season now includes more worry about quarantine zones and regulatory headaches.
Hard Conversations and Tough Calls
When you work directly with growers, you end up in the middle of some brutally honest conversations. Gabe talks about advising older farmers with no successor, watching long-time growers consider walking away, and why younger folks are nervous about staying in ag.
A Future for Local Farming?
Gabe isn’t sugarcoating anything—he’s seeing firsthand the burnout, the frustration, and the mounting obstacles—but he’s also not giving up. He talks about what’s still good here in Ventura County, what needs to change, and why he’s still fighting to keep the next generation in the game.
