919: Growing Coffee Commercially in California…Say What?
In This Podcast:
In this episode, returning guest and 50-year organic agriculture veteran Scott Murray shares the remarkable story of how coffee is being successfully grown in Southern California. Scott explains how a single houseplant sparked a multi-variety coffee trial, eventually producing a Geisha harvest that sold out in one day at $796 per pound. He walks us through polyculture design, coffee’s surprising climate tolerance, and how California could become a boutique coffee region.
Our Guest:
Scott Murray has over 50 years of experience in organic agriculture across the U.S. and Mexico and has served as a California conservation official for 33 years. He specializes in farm creation, farmland preservation, and regenerative polyculture systems. Scott now leads pioneering research and consulting on California-grown coffee, managing multi-variety trials and agroforestry-based plantations.
Listen in….
1. Who is Scott Murray?
Scott Murray is a farmer, consultant, and conservation leader with 50 years of organic agriculture experience in the U.S. and Mexico. He has been a California conservation official for 33 years and specializes in farmland preservation, smart-growth planning, and farm creation. He has recently become a pioneer in growing coffee in Southern California.
2. Are people really growing coffee in California?
Yes! Scott and his collaborators have successfully grown multiple varieties of coffee in Southern California. Their first commercial harvest in 2018 sold out in one day at $796 per pound.
3. How did coffee production begin on Scott’s farm?
It started as a houseplant experiment when Scott’s son Sam bought a coffee plant from a nursery. When it produced cherries, it sparked curiosity. Later, Scott interplanted coffee into a rejuvenated avocado orchard, creating a thriving polyculture system.
4. Why grow coffee under avocado trees?
Coffee thrives with protection, partial shade, and companion plants. Avocado trees provide a microclimate that buffers wind, sun, and temperature swings. This intercropping also enhances biodiversity and farm resilience.
5. What is the difference between monoculture and polyculture?
- Monoculture: Growing only one crop (e.g., avocados alone).
- Polyculture: Multiple crops grown together (e.g., avocados + coffee + bananas).
- Polycultures support pollinators, beneficial insects, soil health, and long-term productivity.
6. How do they protect young coffee trees?
Scott developed a “coffee protection structure” using:
- A gopher basket
- A chicken-wire cage
- Agricultural shade fabric
This boosts early survival and results in fast, healthy establishment.
7. How wide a variety of coffee are they testing?
Scott is currently trialing 48+ varieties, including rare and exotic types such as Geisha and Whoosh Whoosh.
8. What’s special about Geisha coffee?
Geisha is one of the highest-value coffees in the world, known for its floral, tea-like flavor profile. Scott’s California-grown Geisha fetched $796/lb—demonstrating the potential for a specialty coffee industry in California.
9. How does California’s climate affect coffee quality?
Because California coffee cherries often stay on the plant for up to 12 months, the beans can accumulate more complex flavor compounds, potentially elevating specialty coffee quality.
10. Why is biodiversity important in coffee farms?
More plant diversity means:
- Better pollination
- More predator insects to control pests
- Improved soil health
- Greater climate resilience
- Enhanced flavor complexity in coffee
11. What role do avocados play in the system?
Pruned avocado trees create space and light for coffee. Multiple avocado varieties also lengthen the harvest season and improve pollination, boosting overall grove productivity.
12. Where can people learn more or see these systems?
Scott has created short videos with NCAT/ATTRA showcasing the coffee-avocado polyculture. They are available at: EdgeOfUrbanFarm.com
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