Luther Burbank Coachella Agriculture Station

Domestic and international consulting in areas of expertise for new and existing agricultural projects, perennial and medicinal crops, small farms, family food production, living family pharmacies, and edible landscapes. On-site or remote. Focus includes crop selection, farm and garden design, economics, implementation, low input sustainable agriculture techniques, irrigation systems, fertilization, low labor maintenance, greenhouse agriculture and construction, multi level mixed crop agroforestry, innovative methods of post harvest processing and finished product creation.  Post harvest processing for dehydration, liquids and concentrates, powders, teas, and value added finished products.  On-site or remote consulting for international tropical agriculture projects and programs.  Please inquire about individual or group educational facility tours and classes.

Perennial crops are well suited for permanent low input agriculture systems, agroforestry, and polyculture.  These types of systems facilitate greatly reduced use of water, agricultural operations and labor.  A wide variety of species are collected and trialed for suitability, then propagated to make available to growers, home gardeners, edible landscapers, and international projects.  Our focus is spineless improved Opuntia (pad cactus) for fruit and vegetative production, other edible cactus species, agave, new types of adapted perennial vegetables, orchard crops including olives, fruits and almonds, Neem trees, Moringa, greenhouse crops, and medicinal plants. Also, the new desert fruit and nut trees, Marula and Argania. New crops are crucial to promote genetic diversification of our food supply, which is currently very limited.   Available from the LBCAS nursery. 

Family food self sufficiency is more important than ever.  Everything needed to make this a reality for your family is provided, using a variety of crop types and strategies designed for your specific location and needs.  The Southwest deserts support a wide variety of food plants year round, using appropriate varieties and techniques.   Includes perennial and annual vegetables, fruit trees and valuable proven medicinal plants for living family pharmacies. Consulting for crop selection, garden, home orchard and greenhouse design, irrigation systems, edible landscaping, pest/disease control, fertilization, educational materials, plant materials, low input, low labor sustainable methods, organic production, ongoing consulting and remote or on-site assistance.  We also can create your garden, home orchard, or edible landscape. 

Custom design plans, including crop selection, irrigation systems, layout, windbreaks, mechanization, harvest, and post harvest processing facilities.  Design for commercial projects,small farms, greenhouse/shade house systems, multi level mixed agroforestry and polyculture, edible landscape, and home gardens, plus home orchards. For deserts, dry lands, and the tropics. Emphasis on design for low input organic systems and conservation. Sales of vented greenhouse and shade house structures adapted to desert and tropical conditions.

Full range of expertise and services for government agencies, research stations, commercial, and NGO's.  Includes consulting specific to your needs for commercial and family food production programs, assistance with germplasm repository and propagation center establishment, sustainable low input techniques, organic agriculture, agroforestry, post harvest processing, value added finished products, and Island/atoll agriculture. On-site or remote consulting.  Providing plant materials and custom propagation for perennial vegetables, medicinal plants, Neem trees, Moringa, edible cactus, Eucalyptus, and many other useful species of interest. For wet, dry, and monsoonal tropics and sub tropics.

Expertise and labor to create your farm, garden, home orchard, or edible landscape project, including post harvest processing facilities and value added finished products.  Ongoing contract management if needed.  Desert and tropical greenhouse and shade house systems available, either as kits or constructed turnkey.

Propagation for many types of crops, providing wholesale and retail sales. includes Opuntia for fruit and pads, Desert adapted olive varieties, Moringa species, perennial vegetables, medicinal plants, Neem trees, Eucalyptus for windbreaks, nitrogen fixing trees, and a range of other useful plants.  Custom propagation available to order.  Please contact regarding nursery appointments. and group and individual facility tours and classes. 

Development, formulation and creation of fresh and post harvest processed bulk and finished products for wholesale and retail distribution.  Fresh Produce packaging and preservation, dehydrated products, liquids, concentrates, powders, and extracts. Finished products include water soluble powders, tinctures and extracts, capsules and lozenges, functional foods, liquids, teas, and nutritional formulations.  Consulting for post harvest processing, sourcing, formulation, processing methods, production, packaging, and labeling.

Group and individual facility educational tours are available by appointment.  Please inquire about on-site or remote classes for sustainable agriculture, family food production, plant propagation, small farm development, medicinal plants, and others. On-site or remote classes also available for international agriculture development workers in government programmes or NGO's.  Written extension materials on target species and agricultural methods also available.  Please inquire regarding internships for domestic and international participants.