PODCAST · science
Agave & Cactus Talk
by steve sanchez
Talking about Agave and Cactus from farms to products. Will cover using permaculture practices on farms for the new industry of California Agave Spirits & California Cactus fruit & wine. I farm both agave & cactus in Hi Vista & Lancaster, which are cities in Northeast Los Angeles County, & in the Western Mojave Desert. I will talk about my experiences, observations, opinions & tips on Agave & Cactus farming in California. I will cover what i believe the future is for these 2 plant families in california, what products i believe they most will be used for, and exciting plants. Some examples of agave products can include fiber, food, inulin, spirits, or syrup. Cactus products can be animal forage, fruit, jams, juices, & wine. Both agave and Cactus can be great plants to add for fire protection as their leaves are full of water.
Episodes
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Agave Thirsty Thursday #3 - 10/1/26
Hey there everyone, here is a new podcast i recorded this week for the California Agave Alliance. Today we freestyled and just answered the people’s questions and discussed them. Some good questions and topics. Thanks for tuning in. catch yall every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. Have a great...
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Agave thirsty thursday #2 - Nate Jones from Sweet Acacia Farm
Today on the podcast we have Nate Jones from Sweet Acacia Farm. He and his fiance are doing some really cool stuff on their farm in Arizona that I think everyone can learn from. They farm agave, cactus, legumes, fruit trees and Arizona and USA Native plants and are focused on improving their…
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The good, the bad, and the ugly of CA AB2303, the California Agave Spirits Bill
Today i am discussing California Assembly Bill 2303 and its implications for the California agave industry. There is alot of good, alot of bad, and even more ugly, but i think its a great start to a successful Bill, so we can make it better. If you have any questions on the bill you want me to...
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Discussing CA AB 2606 and its implications for farmers (CAA podcasts #2)
This is the 2nd of the California Agave Alliance podcasts, and this one is a discussion on California Assembly Bill 2606, aka "CA AB 2606" and it's implications for the agave industry. Today we discussed the primary bill that will be affecting agave farmers in California, CA AB 2606. As hosts…
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Discussing California Agave with the California Agave Alliance(CAA podcasts #1)
Skip to 3 minutes in, thats where we all connect and the podcast starts. Today on the podcast we have Dr. Samuel Sandoval Solis and Dr. Yessica Fernandez, both working on agave at UC Davis and apart of the California Agave Alliance. We discuss the California agave industry, what we are seeing…
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Can agave & Cactus help alleviate pressure on the California grape industry and California agriculture as a whole?
Today i am talking about acalifornia grapes and how agave and cactus farming may provide an avenue for many of these farmers to adapt, survive ot even continue growing grapes. I also talk about greater implications of switching large acreage of grapes to agave and cactus. Could agave and cactus…
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The interesting case of Agave Utahensis cultivation in China, & what California farmers could learn from it
Today i am talking about a topic that was brought up in discussion with one of my friends surrounding cultivation of agave utahensis in China. Alot ro learn from their rapid scaling of the cultivation of agave utahensis. Some cool stuff going on over there, and as a california agave farmer, they...
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Why i think it is possible many agave farmers in California may not make any profit or quit before their agave matures
In today's episode i am talking about a question someone asked me that also farms agave in California. He asked me for my honest opinion on farming agave in california and the potential of any of these farmers to make substantial profits the way they are farming. I responded most probably would...
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Sourcing agave, cactus and California native plants from ethical and sustainable sellers
Today I am talking about sourcing agave, cactus and California native plants from ethical and sustainable sellers. Not all sellers are the same. Some bulk import agave and take advantage of mexican farmers, some take directly from the wild to fuel supply, some harvest from public land without a...
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Peruvian Apple cactus is a perfect crop to cultivate in California
Today I talk about one of the coolest columnar cacti in my opinion, peruvian apple cactus. Its an excellent crop for silviculture models, food forrests, fruit farms and it can help other plants grow better. Its fruit is one of the top cactus fruits already without any improvements needed i think,...
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Tree cholla is a beast
Today I am talking about one of the strongest cacti that I grow, Tree cholla or Cylindropuntia Imbricata subs Spinosior. It is a plant i have farmed for many years and been impressed by. It is an excellent crop to dryfarm in California and the Southwest, and potentially half the United States....
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The problem with farming opuntia ficus indica, & the solution for making it strong again
Today I am discussing Opuntia ficus indica, which is the most grown cactus in the world likely. From Africa to the Americas and even in Europe and the middle east, this crop has been global for several centuries now. Its incurred the same problem of Agave Angustifolia, sbs tequiliana, cv blue...
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Opuntia Phaeacantha and the USA cactus industry
In this podcast I talk about Opuntia Phaeacantha , or the desert prickly pear. It is native to the mojave desert in California, and is one of the strongest opuntia species for cultivation. I can see a future where phaecantha goes all over the usa and is on alot of farms. It could be the cactus…
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Using California Native plants to make products & our new product Mojave Gold!
Today im talking a bit about the California Native plants im growing, and how identification of them has completely changed how i look at my farm. Instead of seeing it as something wild now I see it as a herbal scrubland full of plants that can be utilized and managed like a farm. Keeping a large...
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Different resources for learning about agave farming in California
in this podcast I discuss some of my favorite resources for farming agave and cactus in California *** If you need any Agave, cactus or furcraea plants contact me by email or message me on : instagram: farmingandgardeningcalifornia email: [email protected] contact form on...
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how many agave do I need to plant every acre?
in this podcast I discuss what seems like a simple question, how many agave do I need for every acre I am planting? This is actually a complex question like almost everything in farming lol. I try to answer it in this short podcast i did while I sorted seeds, but as you see, the answer is - It...
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Why i am excited about Prickly Pear Seed oil & why i think Cactus farmers should pursue oil production
in this podcast I discuss a little bit about cactus seed oils and why I think cactus farmers in california and globally should begin to start prickly pear oil at a craft level to be ready to take advantage of a booming industry that is developing in the United states and globally. Prickly pear…
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5 big misconceptions about agave from new agave farmers in CA
in this podcast I discuss the 5 biggest misconceptions i am seeing with new farmers of agave in california. These are pretty dangerous misconceptions and I definitely encourage caution to any farmer that believes one of them to be true. They can set you up for failure, so listen to this podcast…
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What agave are native to CA?
In this podcast I discuss what Agave are confirmed Native to California, some which are naturalized and some that have been created here. We have 6 confirmed and 3 possibile california native agaves, several dozen naturalized agave, and potentially thousands created by backyard breeders,...
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Why every agave farm in CA should grow CA Natives
in this podcast I discuss why every agave farm in California should be growing their CA Native Plants that are hyperlocal to them. I talk about how I am doing this and why I see it as a huge aid to any agave farm. Native plants can be farmed and im doing it. You can do it also and it can improve…
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Dealing with rattlesnakes on an agave & cactus farm
in this podcast I discuss why having a plan to deal with rattlesnakes is great for your farm. Rattlesnakes can live in simbiosis with farmers and proving many positive benefits such as rodent control, disease control, seed dispersal, & aeration. Rattlesnakes in balance can significantly boost the...
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How you can fertilize/improve soil for your agave or cactus with no synthetic chemicals
Today we talk about different methods of fertilizing or improving the soil for your agave and cactus. All these ways are natural, non synthetic chemical methods that will not only aid your agave & cactus, but also make you more profitable and adaptable. Copying nature often results in alot less...
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How & why to boost burrowing owls on your farm
Todays episode is on how to boost the burrowing owls on your farm, such as making suitable habitat for them, and why you want more burrowing owls. They can be an important part of pest managment and can be wonderful wildlife addition to your property. Funny enough dogs play a crucial part in...
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Agave Saponins & how they are a potential disruptor for the Multi billion dollar chemical spraying industry
Today we are talking about how saponins from agaves could potentially be a huge disruptor in the chemical industry globally and the usa. The industrial spraying of herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, anti bacterial, & anti viral chemicals can potentially be replaced by agave saponins. They are...
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Planting some Fruit and Leguminous Trees for my agave & cactus farm
In this pod I talk about some of the recently planted fruit and leguminous trees that me and Nori have added to the farm. They each have some great benefits for an agave and cactus farm so i talk a little about what I love about all of them and each one individually. The trees i talk about are:...
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Different Columnar Cacti you can farm
Today I talk about several of the different columnar cacti I grow on my farm for forage, fruits, flowers etc. Most of them are very drought, cold, & wind hardy. Its been a huge surprise to me none of them have been commercialized because of their enormous potential. Hope yall enjoy, this was kind...
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Chat with Nativo Texas #2
Season 2 Episode 41 of Agave & Cactus Talk. A conversation on Agave with my friend Chris from @nativotexas . We chat about our agave farms and some of the things we have been implementing! Merry Xmas to everyone 🎄
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Agave as a building material
Todays episode is a primer on beginning to think of agave as a building material. It has been used for lots of different building solutions from foundations, floors, walls, roofing, and as replacement studs among other uses. Enjoy the podcast, and have a great day! *** If you need any Agave…
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Capturing Rainwater & Sunshine
Todays episode is on why having rainwater capture systems and solar energy on your farm can be beneficial and how it can make you a more adaptive, profitable, and sustainable farmer. I think energy and water systems can easily be compromised by corporations or the government and you should seek…
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Choosing a piece of land to farm
Hey everyone, today's podcast is on choosing a piece of land to farm. Mainly I'll be talking today about how I chose my piece of land to farm agave & cactus, and hopefully you'll learn some lessons that you can apply to the search of your land that you want to utilize to farm. Enjoy the podcast!...
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When do i plant agave & cactus if I want to dryfarm?
In this episode I talk about when I choose to plant to dryfarm my agave and cactus and some advice and tips for your area so you may so the same. Dryfarming has to start during s certain time and you have to be vigilant to not let the windows skip you by. in California that windows has already...
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Chinese grown cactus & prickly pears
In this podcast i dive into an article called "cactus cultivation boosts rural development in SW China" by CGTN . It was a very interesting article full of implications, lessons and interesting facts that can help us farmers around the world be better cactus farmers and entrepreneurs. I dive into...
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We are building an adobe/stone hybrid oven for agave, bread & pizza
Today I talk about an Adobe & stone hybrid oven i am building with my girlfriend Nory. Her style is Adobe, mine stone, so we combined the two to make something special. The base will be all native stone, & the top will be an adobe oven inside a step pyramid. We are about halfway finished & are…
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Agave Ovatifolia: Why I am doubling down on growing this cold hardy agave
Today I talk about an agave that has been getting alot of my attention lately. The last time I had mature agave Ovatifolia, I used them for spirits and was very surprised by what they put out. I thought then, I need to mass propogate and grow this agave for myself. Since it was unavailable or...
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Planting a quarter million agave & cactus
Todays episode is me talking about a project i have been working on for a bit, why im planting so much, how im doing it, and just random thoughts as I discuss planting. . . If you any agave or cactus plants contact me by dm on : instagram: farmingandgardeningcalifornia agaverocaliforniano.com...
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Opuntia Littoralis, or California Prickly Pear; an excellent CA Native plant to farm in California
Todays podcast is on Opuntia Littoralis, also known as Coastal Prickly Pear & California prickly pear. Its one of my strongest cactus that i grow, it is a california native, drought tolerant, cold hardy, and fast growing with 1000+ uses. It is among my favorites! I hope today you learn about...
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A conversation with an aspiring agave farmer, Q&A
Todays episode is my conversation with my friend Qanwar. He is a local to Lancaster, CA, where i farm and he reached out to me wanting to learn about agave, so i told him to come help me plant and as we did that we could discuss his questions in depth. He planted lots of agave and i answered alot...
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Why i love Amolé/Agave Vilmoriniana
Talking about Agave Vilmoriniana and why I think it has alot of potential in various industries. It is my favorite agave and it has been one of the strongest agaves that i have dryfarmed. Amolé is one of my favorite agaves to distill and it also is helping me get rid of pests on other agaves.…
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Agave & Cactus Pests
This episode we go over different pests that i have observed and dealt with in agave and cactus. As a farmer and consultant I have seen alot of different animals, insects or Plagues on plants, and i have alot of advice on dealing with these issues. *** If you need any Agave, cactus or furcraea...
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What type of roasting pit am i building?
In this episode I discuss the agave roasting oven i am currently working on building, as well as various other aboveground and underground ovens i have built and utilized. *** If you need any Agave, cactus or furcraea plants contact me by email or message me on : instagram:...
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A guide on choosing what agave to farm, Part 2
Hey everyone, welcome back to the podcast. Today is the 2nd part of maybe a 3 or 4 part series on choosing what agave to farm, whether in California or elsewhere. There are alot of factors that can affect how your agave grow or what agave you can grow, and while i dont go through everything, this...
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A guide on choosing what agave to farm, Part 1
Hey everyone, welcome back to the podcast. Today is the begining of maybe a 3 or 4 part series on choosing what agave to farm, whether in California or elsewhere. There are alot of factors that can affect how your agave grow or what agave you can grow, and while i dont go through everything, this...
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Farming Agave Desmettiana Variegata in California
Talking about my experiences growing agave desmettiana variegata in california and observations ive made about the plant, how it grows, and what its potential uses are. It is an agave that is becoming one of my favorites as it is in the top 5 of agaves i cultivate in terms of numbers. Currently...
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Why furcraea foetida mediopicta is a sweet crop for California/ USA Agriculture
Walking the goats and talking why I love to cultivate and utilize Furcraea. In the same family as agave, Asparagaceae, Furcraea has an insane amount of potential, just like agave and cactus, to be dryfarmed and utilized for hundreds of different applications. If you need any Furcraea Foetida...
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Can HesperoYucca Whipplei be dryfarmed like an agave?
In this episode I am driving through the LA National Forrest and talking about Chapparal Yucca aka Quixote aka Spanish bayonet, latin name hesperoyucca whipplei. Great plant!
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California Native Cactus that have potential to be a crop
Talking about 8 CA Native Cacti, and why I think they have significant potential to be dryfarmed in California. I discuss how you may profit off them, how ive profited from them, and how ive utilized them. I also mention 1 Naturalized and 1 usa Native Cactus. Use this podcast as a primer for...
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Se deberia continuar la exportacion de agave de mexico? (Español)
Un poco de discusión sobre esta tema y mi opinión
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Agaves y Nopales (Español)
Hablando de unas de las razones porque me encanta crecer agaves y Nopales juntos. Los dos se complementan mucho. Gracias por escuchar.
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Agaves y Chivas (Español)
Hablando un poco de como crecer agave y Chivas a la misma vez es algo beneficioso para el sembrador.
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20 ways to make money with your agave farm; or also save money on your farm with agave, part 2
part 2, 11-20 11- if you have animals combine with animal manure in a biodigester to make your own natural biofuel and run your heating and cooking utilities off that. 12 - process leaves into fiber and dry it and sell it, make clothes or w/e 13- plant giant agave as a windbreaker and firebreak…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Talking about Agave and Cactus from farms to products. Will cover using permaculture practices on farms for the new industry of California Agave Spirits & California Cactus fruit & wine. I farm both agave & cactus in Hi Vista & Lancaster, which are cities in Northeast Los Angeles County, & in the Western Mojave Desert. I will talk about my experiences, observations, opinions & tips on Agave & Cactus farming in California. I will cover what i believe the future is for these 2 plant families in california, what products i believe they most will be used for, and exciting plants. Some examples of agave products can include fiber, food, inulin, spirits, or syrup. Cactus products can be animal forage, fruit, jams, juices, & wine. Both agave and Cactus can be great plants to add for fire protection as their leaves are full of water.
HOSTED BY
steve sanchez
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Agave & Cactus Talk have?
Agave & Cactus Talk currently has 80 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Agave & Cactus Talk about?
Talking about Agave and Cactus from farms to products. Will cover using permaculture practices on farms for the new industry of California Agave Spirits & California Cactus fruit & wine. I farm both agave & cactus in Hi Vista & Lancaster, which are cities in Northeast Los Angeles County, & in the...
How often does Agave & Cactus Talk release new episodes?
Agave & Cactus Talk has 80 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Agave & Cactus Talk?
You can listen to Agave & Cactus Talk on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Agave & Cactus Talk?
Agave & Cactus Talk is created and hosted by steve sanchez.
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