Andy Rivas

I am seeking a position as an Agronomist/Vineyard Manager/Farm Manager. I have extensive experience in regenerative, organic, holistic farm management, land stewardship, supervising workers and use of farm equipment. I am also experienced in agroecology, ecology restoration and enhancement, soil conservation, soil building, planting, raising livestock, cover cropping, pasture and grazing systems, animal /plant nutrition, harvesting and processing.

I am effective in modern sustainable organic agriculture of growing a wide range of vegetables, fruit trees, grape vines, livestock, managing the ecology of the land, and the integration of all these systems together synergistically.

Agronomist/Owner of an Organic Orchard and Grape Vine Management Company - Specialized Fruit Tree and Vineyard Care - Fallbrook, CA

(2006-01)

• Fruit tree and grapevine management service
• Managing irrigation and soil enhancement-organic fertilizer and compost applications
• Tractor operation - mowing, tilling, spraying, spreading and cover cropping
• Harvest and pruning management, quality control and processing/wine making
• IPM – crop protection, organic pesticide spraying, biological control and general pest control

Agronomist - Jana Farms - Fallbrook, CA

(2023-03 - 2026-03)

• Farm management for a 30 acre sustainable mixed fruit tree orchard and mixed vegetable farm
• IPM/Crop protection/biological pest control, irrigation management, fertility management/soil building, greenhouse culture/management, harvest/pruning management

Agronomist / Farm Manager to a Sustainable, Diversified and Integrated Farm of 20 Acres - Santa Cruz Sungrown - Corralitos, CA

(2020-01 - 2022-12)

• Managed licensed commercial cannabis, fruit trees, vegetables, grazing goats, & ecology
• Operated tractor, bed shaper, cultivator, tiller, spray rig and transplanter
• Managed soil fertility, fertigation, irrigation, soil building, greenhouse and pest control
• Supervised farm crew, planting, pesticide sprays, harvesting and processing

Goat Farmer on a 15 acre pasture based organic goat farm - Summer Meadow Farm - Corralitos, CA

(2019-01 - 2020-12)

• Cared for herd of 15 – 18 organically raised goats, producing milk, cheese, yogurt and meat
• Milking quality control and processing
• Animal grazing and nutrition management
• Animal health, breeding and barn management

Agronomist/Owner of a organic integrated mixed vegetable, fruit tree, black berry and duck farm - Delicious Heirlooms Farm - Corralitos, CA

(2016-01 - 2018-12)

• Tractor operation – mower, bed shaper, cultivator, tiller, compost spreader and spray rig
• Managed soil building, fertility, soil conservation - fertilizer, composting, and cover cropping
• Conservation irrigation management
• Developed Aquaponic/Hydroponic systems – design, setup and management
• Pest control IPM - crop rotation, organic pesticides, trapping and biological pest control
• Livestock grazing, nutrition, health and pasture management
• Harvest and harvest quality control processing as well as CSA/farmers marketing

Agronomist/Farm Manager for a 50 Acre Sustainable Organic Mixed Vegetable and Berry Farm - Swanton Berry Farm - Santa Cruz, CA

(2002-01 - 2005-12)

• Managed irrigation, soil fertility, pest control, cover cropping, harvest and quality control
• Supervised Spanish speaking 15 person farm crew

Viticulturalist - Monterey Pacific - Soledad, CA

(2001-01 - 2001-12)

Viticulture internship for a 3,000 acre wine grape vineyard management company

• Worked with owner and viticulture managers from several ranches during the growing season to oversee and manage wine grape vineyards
• Monitored soil and plant moisture levels to determine optimum watering schedule
• IPM -scouting for pests and beneficials for IPM program
• Monitored brix (sugar) levels in ripening grapes to determine optimum harvest date
• Supervised pesticide spraying, vine pruning & training, grafting, fertigation and grape harvest

Bachelors of Science Degree - Agronomy – Crop Science - John T. Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies, Cal Poly University (1999-01 - 2001-12)

Cal Poly University (1995-01 - 2001-12)