If you’re a fan of California avocados – and honestly, who isn’t – it’s time to discover Kimball Ranch. Grown in Ventura County’s rocky hillsides and lavished with California sunshine, Kimball Ranch avocados are in a league of their own. 

Just a few miles inland from Ventura County’s sandy beaches, you’ll find a scenic stretch of farmland known as Heritage Valley. This sun-drenched region is known for citrus groves, roadside farmstands and California avocado orchards. Here, tucked into the rolling hills, you’ll find Kimball Ranch.

We met with Rachael Laenen, Director of Farming and Operations at Kimball Ranch, to learn more about her family’s farming operation and why it’s so important to make sure your avocados are from California.

Over 100 years of avocado farming excellence

For six generations, the Kimball family has farmed Heritage Valley’s fertile valley and hills. Today, Rachael proudly carries on the legacy as a fourth-generation avocado farmer. “We have been growing avocados for over 100 years,” Rachel explains. “When we first came to Ventura County in the 1860s, we were growing lima beans and sugar beets – so things definitely evolved and changed. We have grown everything from walnuts to plum tomatoes to citrus, and now we have settled on avocados. We have to grow what people want, and we are optimistic that in 10 years, people are still going to want our California avocados.”

Returning to her roots

Despite her family’s strong ties to California agriculture, Rachael never planned to join the family farming operation. Instead, she studied languages and literature in college before working in international motorsports in Europe for 14 years. When she ultimately was unable to resist the idea of returning to the family farm, she found that the fast-paced world of F1 racing was almost relaxed compared to the demands of running an avocado farm. 

Rachael laughs and recalls, “When I quit my job and told my friends that I was moving home to grow avocados, everybody was like, ‘That’s crazy. It’s gonna be so slow-paced compared to what you’re used to, but the reality is things have never been more hectic.”

Today, Rachel deftly balances office operations, field work and advocacy – but still finds moments to appreciate the beauty of farm life. With a smile, she notes, “Every time I get out here in the field, I’m constantly amazed by how quickly things change. From one day to the next, the fruit is growing, or the new flush is coming out. The trees look different, and if you take a moment to stop and listen, they will talk to you and tell you what’s going on.”

A Legacy of Women in Agriculture

The legacy of women in agriculture is a celebrated message in recognizing 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Rachael has stepped into a leadership role not only at her family farm, but also as head of the California Avocado Commission. She credits her grandmother, Dorcas Kimball Thille, with inspiring her to become actively involved in agriculture and advocacy.

Leading the way for the next generation of female farmers

“I was really lucky to have such a strong and powerful role model in my grandmother,” Rachael explains. “For her, it was important to be part of the conversations where decisions were made. She ran six different ranches, became the first woman elected to the board of our avocado packing house, and served on the board of our lemon company – all while raising six children.”

Dorcas was a legend in California agriculture and a role model for many of today’s leading women in the industry. A true trailblazer, she advocated for California farms at both the local and state level. Karen Ross, California Secretary of Food and Agriculture, even considers Dorcas one of her key mentors. Dorcas’ accomplishments are especially remarkable, considering she achieved so much at a time when women rarely led farming operations. Widowed three times while raising six children, Dorcas faced immense challenges, yet remained resilient and steadfast in pursuing her goals.

Growing up, Rachael experienced firsthand what true determination and leadership looked like. “I watched women doing things that, to me, felt completely normal, but seemed remarkable within this space,” she recalls. “If I ever said, ‘Oh, I can’t do that,’ my grandmother would look me square in the eyes and say, ‘Why can’t you?’”

Today, Rachael honors her grandmother’s legacy, exhibiting the same unwavering work ethic and love for California agriculture.

Rachael is proud to be the first female chair of the California Avocado Commission! Learn more here.

Direct to consumer produce: The Kimball Farms difference

Kimball Farms offers avocados direct to consumers, allowing complete control from tree to table. “We’re so lucky to grow avocados here in California,” Rachael espouses, “there is something about the climate and the soil here in California that produces an incredible premium avocado.” 

Over 99% of Kimball Avocado orchards are planted to the Haas Variety – the most popular avocado grown in California. Known for their buttery flavor and creamy mouthfeel, Kimball’s Haas avocados are distinctly different from their grocery store counterparts – still creamy and smooth, but with a more pronounced flavor and a velvety texture. 

Avocados, the way nature intended

Rachel explains that Kimball avocados taste different because they’re allowed to ripen the way nature intended. By shipping directly to consumers, the avocados avoid any stints in cold storage. This allows them to ripen naturally and develop a richer flavor and texture. She explains, “Avocados don’t actually ripen on the tree. They only mature on the tree and start to ripen once they’re picked. So we pick the fruit and ship it the same day. The fruit will arrive at your house having never been put into cold storage or had the ripening artificially halted.” 

The natural ripening process takes patience, but Rachael insists it’s worth it. “The feedback that we get is always, ‘This is the best avocado I’ve ever tasted,” she proudly states.  

Rachael’s tips for selecting + storing avocados

Start with the firmest avocado.
Firm fruit gives you the most control over ripening.

Let avocados ripen at room temperature.
Leave them on the counter until the skin darkens and the fruit yields gently to pressure.

Once ripe, refrigerate.
Ripe avocados can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Need them faster? Add bananas.
Store avocados next to bananas, or together in a paper bag, to naturally speed up the ripening process.

Farming for the Future

As a sixth-generation farmer, with a young son poised to one day join the operation, sustainability is always a consideration for Rachael.

“My number one goal is to keep the ground viable so that if my son wants to continue doing it, he can. That means that we are really careful with the inputs that we put into farming – how we manage our water, our nutrients, and our pest management and herbicide use. We want to be as cautious, diligent and as precise as we can. So, we are not wasting anything and giving the trees exactly what they need when they need it.” 

She’s also cognizant of the fact that sustainability goes beyond environmental stewardship. “We look at it also from a financial perspective, but also from the human aspect as well.”

The ranch plans production years in advance while continuing to invest in infrastructure that will help ensure the farm’s long-term viability. 

Kimball Ranch invests just as earnestly in its employees. Rachael states, “We really do our best to create an environment where people want to come to work. We have employees who have been with us for over twenty years. Having that continuity in our labor force is incredibly important.” 

Farm labor is skilled labor

Rachael is passionate about the fact that farm labor is skilled labor. “Working in agriculture is highly skilled, and picking avocados is no different.” She argues, “Picking avocados is an incredibly skilled job. Everything is harvested by hand – climbing ladders 20 feet in the air, hoisting picking bags that weigh 50 pounds, and knowing exactly which avocados to pick.” Taking a deep breath, she concludes, “These employees are dedicated, loyal and incredibly skilled. We couldn’t do our jobs without them.”

Experience the Kimball Ranch difference

Kimball Avocados are available direct-to-consumer on their website and in boxes of 6, 12 and 18. Kimball Ranch also offers biweekly and monthly subscription services during peak avocado season (March through August). 

Whether you’re purchasing your avocados online or at the grocery store, Rachael encourages everyone to choose California avocados. She notes, “When you are in the grocery store, make sure that you’re checking the label for the California Avocado sticker. Always make sure you’re buying California produce and choose the things that are in season. That is how you will get a premium product.”

Article by Hilary Rance. Photography by James Collier, Hilary Rance and Alison Needham.